Using vintage glass components
 

I have quite a few vintage Czech glass components, both beads and cabochons. This summer I will go back to the Czech beadtown of Jablonec, and was wondering if anyone knows if they can be used for lampwork. With using them, I mean melting the glass into newly made beads. So I guess the question is: does anyone know if the COE of pressing rods is the same as lampwork rods?

They are made from pressing rods, probably made by Jablonex, now Ornela.
In the images you see a set of 'dragon's breath' vintage cabs. I don't think these would keep their appearance when reheated, but I might give it a try.
The second image shows uranium glass, of which I also have quite a bit of, both in beads and a few pressing rods. Any experience with this type of glass?

Just curious, but could you pull a stringer with it and a rod of a known
coe as in the compatibility test? (one side one, the other side the other, straight pull to see if it bends after pulling or stays straight)

That would be a good idea. I could just chip off some piece of a pressing rod and test it like that. It will have to wait a few weeks. Do not have my equipment set up at home yet. Also, I am still completely new to all of this. Just trying to learn a lot before I dive in completely.

I've been told that the pressing rods are all different coe's, so they don't blend them unless they know they know they will 'fit'

Laurie

You might contact Preciosa-Ornela, since the do make Lampwork cane as well as beads.

http://www.preciosa-ornela.com/

I have played around a little with Czech pressed beads, I used it with 104...they are still intact, but it was a surface application. They may all vary in COE...it never hurts experiment I say. I waste glass sometimes with beads I don't like after they are done, so what's a little more for experimentation sake? :)

a while back i shot off an e-mail to Preciosa-Ornela about their coe and was told their "Lead (composite) rods with COE 96 Leadfree rods with COE 112"

That is good to know, and I agree that experimentation is always good.
I'll have a go and document it.