How long to tell if glass is not compatible?
 

I recently bought CiM clear glass and it's awful. Scummiest glass ever, so looks like I will just use it as filler. In creating my little implosion stud earrings, I dug in my stash of other clear, and came across ASK Clear. Must have purchased in a garage sale at some point, as I have never heard of it.

But oh my... it's the best ever! Super clear, melted like a dream, best implosions ever. Later i looked it up and found it on Arrow Springs, ready to order more. But it says it's not compatible with all 104coe. :sad:

Anyway, my studs came out of the kiln looking great this morning, still looking great this evening. So, if it IS incompatible - how long before I can tell? Would it crack right away?

Not necessarily, but maybe someone else knows if size makes a difference.

You can make a cheap polariscope. Here's one how-to
http://www.davebross.com/GlassTech/polariscope.html

Interesting! Thank you!

I made a large batch of flower beads using some 90 COE mixed with 104. They were fine when I packed them up, about a month after I made them. When I rediscovered them a few years later, they were all cracked but a few.

The problem with the ASK glass is that Kugler makes no assertion on compatibility other than to say their glass is within X range, and compatibility testing is up to the artist. While I think that is generally true for all glass, the Kugler 104 line had many issues. That is why Arrow Springs got out of the partnership. They had wonderful colors, some of which were not even compatible with themselves batch by batch. I think using it would be a gamble.

Have you tried pickling the CIM clear? I've had good results even just wiping down super nasty Devardi glass with white vinegar and paper towels.

I may have to give that a try! Even flame cutting the tiniest bit after encasing leaves a small trace of scum and bubbles.

Such a shame... it worked beautifully. And now I know why it's so cheap on their site. Think I shall stay far away. Thank goodness I didn't create a huge batch of earrings! I'll set them aside for now.

I love the greens soooo much. I still use my stash of silver cinnamon, silver rattan and whatever that apple something or other was. caramel apple? But I don't sell my work.

The greens are what I remember being incompatible with the same color from batch to batch, and then the clear being problematic with many things.

I hope Alexx Cheng doesn't mind if I share this tip from him that he shared to everyone at the Frantz Art Glass Bash this past weekend:
To de-scum scummy glass, use 200-220 grit wet sandpaper with water and sand the rod. then wash it off. The rod will look frosted until you introduce it into the flame, then wa-la clear glass. I haven't tried it yet but I have tons of yucky clear from over the years, I'm going to give it a go.

Thank you! I will have to give it a try :-)

It is not unusual for objects that have inherent compatibility issues to survive for many years. Time is NOT a good indication of compatibility

^true
And wasn't some of it ok for awhile? Can try a pull test too.
http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1663