Lampwork Etc.
 
Send a PM to CorriDawn!

LE Live Chat

Enter Live Chat

No users in chat


The Flow

Beads of Courage


 

Go Back   Lampwork Etc. > Library > Tips, Techniques, and Questions

Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #61  
Old 2012-03-15, 1:46pm
flaming_fools's Avatar
flaming_fools flaming_fools is offline
Dynamic Duo
 
Join Date: Aug 13, 2009
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 1,605
Default Rod Rests

In the paint section a the hardware store I noticed these gizmos for sitting over paint cans, or in roller pans, to run your brush or roller over to remove excess paint. They were real cheap. Just bought and bent in half to make a V. Have been planning to cut off the curved 'legs' on the end, but have not done so yet.

I like these as there are multi levels for sticking the rods, either on top, or through the holes. Very little contact point for chilling the rods.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #62  
Old 2012-03-15, 2:10pm
carolinainmymind's Avatar
carolinainmymind carolinainmymind is offline
flight risk
 
Join Date: Oct 05, 2009
Location: Mayberry, USA
Posts: 973
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by flaming_fools View Post

Brilliant! Putting that on my list for the next Lowe's trip.
__________________
Glenda


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #63  
Old 2012-03-15, 3:09pm
Ravenesque Ravenesque is offline
Naysayer
 
Join Date: Sep 22, 2009
Posts: 1,203
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by honey*bee View Post
I have seen people use sharpened pencils before as pokes so I have some woodless graphite left over from art school and it can be sharpened to all kinds of tips, has to be clean though.
Oh I have a lot of those! I will go look.
Reply With Quote
  #64  
Old 2012-03-15, 5:06pm
Lisa's Avatar
Lisa Lisa is offline
Burn baby, burn
 
Join Date: Apr 24, 2007
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 924
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by flaming_fools View Post
In the paint section a the hardware store I noticed these gizmos for sitting over paint cans, or in roller pans, to run your brush or roller over to remove excess paint. They were real cheap. Just bought and bent in half to make a V. Have been planning to cut off the curved 'legs' on the end, but have not done so yet.
Nice, thanks! Special thanks for the picture too!
__________________
Lisa Hamilton
minor/oxycon
Reply With Quote
  #65  
Old 2012-03-15, 11:56pm
steiconi's Avatar
steiconi steiconi is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 24, 2011
Location: Big Island of Hawaii
Posts: 245
Default brass dopping block

ok, I didn't actually make this, but I had it on hand and it's one of my current favorite tools, and I'm not using it as was intended.

In case you don't know, a dopping block is used to shape sheet metal. This one is a 2" cube of solid brass with a couple dozen hemispherical indentations all over it, in many different sizes.

I use the indentations to shape entire beads, or just to shape the ends. Especially useful to even up lumpy beads.

Lee

Last edited by steiconi; 2012-03-16 at 12:05am.
Reply With Quote
  #66  
Old 2012-05-23, 5:50pm
kmd kmd is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 16, 2006
Posts: 184
Default

I have a long handled pair of BBQ tongs, the open wire kind. I have wrapped the ends with several layers of aluminium foil, which makes them just right for picking up all sorts of things including mandrels with beads on the end, to put into the kiln, or arrange hot stuff already in there. Long handles mean that I don't get toasted.

KMD
Reply With Quote
  #67  
Old 2012-06-26, 11:14pm
Dyanne4293 Dyanne4293 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 01, 2012
Posts: 1
Default

I love this thread! Great ideas. It needs to be renewed/refreshed!
Reply With Quote
  #68  
Old 2012-06-27, 8:07am
allicat's Avatar
allicat allicat is offline
Senior Moment
 
Join Date: Jun 16, 2012
Location: New Yawk
Posts: 4,161
Default

I use paint brush holders and cheap test tubes with a test tube holder for my rods and stringers that are in my current rotation, and I use a Towel hemostat to make holes. I have picture somewhere; will post it when I find it.
Reply With Quote
  #69  
Old 2012-06-27, 4:16pm
Rachel's Avatar
Rachel Rachel is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 14, 2005
Location: Alabama
Posts: 1,230
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by steiconi View Post
ok, I didn't actually make this, but I had it on hand and it's one of my current favorite tools, and I'm not using it as was intended.

In case you don't know, a dopping block is used to shape sheet metal. This one is a 2" cube of solid brass with a couple dozen hemispherical indentations all over it, in many different sizes.

I use the indentations to shape entire beads, or just to shape the ends. Especially useful to even up lumpy beads.

Lee
Also a great frit holder. I agree it is a great shaping tool as well.
__________________
Everything on Sale!

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #70  
Old 2012-06-27, 7:45pm
jaci's Avatar
jaci jaci is offline
Glass-aholic
 
Join Date: Mar 21, 2007
Location: CT, tolland CT
Posts: 4,332
Default

I put a few dropps of bees wax in my dapping block holes for a great smooth rolling

I can't count the number of tools I have re-purposes or made from other things!
__________________
Minor 10lpm Oxy-Con + HH on Propylene . . . . . .

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
hand dyed silk ribbons in many colors!
WASHERS & TOPPERS - layering components for interchangeable glass topper and to use in other jewelry/metalwork.:
Reply With Quote
  #71  
Old 2012-06-29, 8:26am
prbluv01 prbluv01 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 21, 2012
Posts: 3
Default

I use stainless steel measuring spoons for flat marbles or cabochans. They make a great rounded top and you have many sizes to choose from.
Reply With Quote
  #72  
Old 2012-06-29, 12:39pm
tonips tonips is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 01, 2008
Posts: 87
Default

Brass has gotten pretty expensive, so I bought a couple of old brass door push plates off Ebay. Made a nice marver for large beads with one by adding extruded aluminum on the bottom for feet. The plates came with six holes already there, and I used those to attach the 90 degree angle stock to the bottom to make a nice stable base a good 1/2" off the table. It cools the glass faster than my graphite, so I really like using it for silver glass, too.

The second plate I cut in half, put a store-bought aluminum handle on the back and added brass screws and nuts to each corner from the rough back toward the smooth front to the depth of the bead I wanted. It makes a great press for larger beads. The results are extremely even, and if I wanted, I could change the screws to a different length to get a thicker or thinner bead. Total costs was about $30, and I couldn't find 1/8" brass plate stock for anywhere near that.

Toni
Reply With Quote
  #73  
Old 2012-06-29, 6:16pm
PennyLane's Avatar
PennyLane PennyLane is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 02, 2010
Location: Travelers Rest, SC
Posts: 812
Default

Great idea Toni, Thanks!
__________________
Be Creative!

"All true artists, whether they know it or not, create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness."
Eckhart Tolle

Cathy[/font]
Reply With Quote
  #74  
Old 2012-06-29, 7:04pm
losthelm losthelm is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 27, 2008
Location: Albion NY
Posts: 517
Default

I usualy pickup useful looking bits and pieces at estate sales, garage sales, and the thrift store. often its the odd matched stainless flatware, tweezers, manicure tools and kitchen gadgets.
Often I will cut them up with a pair of tin snips or attack them with a file to improve the shape, or addapt them to my hand vice/exacto knife.
I think my most useful bit came out of the garage. An old wood rasp made some very nice fish scales.

As for finding heat sinks check with your local E-waste recycler. Usualy the CPU's are seperated from the mother board and scraped seperatly for the percious metals.
Reply With Quote
  #75  
Old 2018-09-13, 8:54am
DanielJ DanielJ is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 28, 2018
Posts: 3
Default

I watched someone on YouTube who uses bicycle spokes for mandrels
Reply With Quote
  #76  
Old 2018-09-13, 9:56am
Robin Passovoy Robin Passovoy is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 31, 2009
Posts: 504
Default

Revlon eyebrow tweezers are one of my favorites-- not the slant tips, but the fine points. Perfect for forming ears on sculptural critter beads or detailing fish fins. Just try to get plain steel ones. The fancy gold or rose-gold coatings on some of them wouldn't do well in the flame. Otherwise, they hold up better than any other fine-point tweezers I've tried.
Reply With Quote
  #77  
Old 2019-10-15, 9:09pm
Dextervonbakata Dextervonbakata is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 01, 2019
Posts: 5
Default

i made a few months ago my first mashers out of some old beautiful unused salad server. very stilish. i took a photo of them to show you here but i guess i can't post it yet as this is just my fourth post. i also gave a new life to my old damaged wall drill bits that are tungsten. been working great. i just grinded a sharp point in them to pinch bubbles into my pendants. later i dulled the point a bit to make a more rounded bubble and it still pierces the hot glass deep enough. made two of them a small and a big one. they also work great at widening holes and piercing them open. now i even modified a 1\4 inch good and working wall drill bit to double as a bit and a glassmaking tool. at the bottom i grinded a dull point to make even bigger bubbles. the drill is holding the bit by the middle part so modifying its bottom side doesnt damage them. i love it when useless or rarely used items get a new life. hey! i'll try tomorrow to convert somehow my picture to just 80 kilobites. i want to brag my homemade tools as they cost me nothing as all was repurposed.
Reply With Quote
  #78  
Old 2019-10-17, 3:16pm
Speedslug's Avatar
Speedslug Speedslug is offline
Phill
 
Join Date: Mar 21, 2009
Location: Winnebago, MN
Posts: 2,489
Default

This is the way I upload pictures and it does the resizing for me;


Click the "Go Advanced" and then type in some words describing you picture.
(You will need more that two letters in order to get the system to upload anything once you click 'post'.)

Then click the paper clip symbol above the -typed entry box- next to the white smiley face.

A " Manage Attachments" box will come up.

Click the first "browse" button and when the computer puts up a file listing, direct that listing to the folder where you are keeping the picture you are trying to send and then click the picture or the name of the picture you want to send.

That will take you back to the "Manage Attachments" box where you will see a written word -path- showing the directions to the file you are trying to send.

Then you need to click the upper "upload image" button.

This next part is confusing but don't let it throw you off.

The last click you made will dump you back to the -typed entry box- but it won't show anything at all besides the words you had already entered.


Now scroll down to the Preview Post button and click that.
Your picture should now be visible on the top of the page.

Once you click "post" it should show up in the thread

Now scroll down to the Preview Post button and click that.
Your picture should now be visible on the top of the page.

Once you click "post" it should show up in the thread.
__________________
The Zombie Apocalypse is Upon Us.
Reply With Quote
  #79  
Old 2019-10-19, 1:19pm
Gila's Avatar
Gila Gila is offline
balanced but asymmetrical
 
Join Date: Mar 17, 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 519
Default

I look forward to seeing pictures of your tools Dextervonbakata.
__________________
'...pinpoint the problem, fix it like magic, and then move on.' --AuntD


.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
.
Reply With Quote
  #80  
Old 2020-10-30, 6:39pm
JLynn's Avatar
JLynn JLynn is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 20, 2020
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11
Default

This is a great thread. I use a plastic eyeglass case to hold my small tools like tweezers and dental tools. I use a rasp or rough file for fur or feather affects on animal beads.
Reply With Quote
  #81  
Old 2022-01-19, 6:28pm
phentron phentron is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 12, 2022
Location: country Victoria, Australia
Posts: 33
Default

I made my first glass working tool in the early 1970's - it was a flat file with its thin edge ground down to clean metal. The corner edge is used as a scoring knife. The file would only need re-grinding once a year when only used on soft glass rod or tube, but if scoring boro you only get a dozen or so score marks before it needs to be re-ground.

I later made a scoring knife from a smaller triangular file (grinding away one surface of the triangle). This was small enough to carry in my tool case, as I was servicing scientific instruments & often needed to cut glass tubing.

Peter
Attached Images
  

Last edited by phentron; 2022-01-19 at 6:33pm. Reason: to correct grammar
Reply With Quote
  #82  
Old 2022-01-20, 3:20am
Lizabeads's Avatar
Lizabeads Lizabeads is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 10, 2005
Location: Alabama
Posts: 3,326
Default

subscribe
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #83  
Old 2022-01-20, 9:18am
ESC ESC is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 02, 2010
Posts: 3,370
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by phentron View Post
I made my first glass working tool in the early 1970's - it was a flat file with its thin edge ground down to clean metal. The corner edge is used as a scoring knife. The file would only need re-grinding once a year when only used on soft glass rod or tube, but if scoring boro you only get a dozen or so score marks before it needs to be re-ground.

I later made a scoring knife from a smaller triangular file (grinding away one surface of the triangle). This was small enough to carry in my tool case, as I was servicing scientific instruments & often needed to cut glass tubing.

Peter
Peter, are you just using a regular home workshop grinder to do these modifications? Are you polishing the surface after grinding?
__________________
ESC
Soft glass on a Minor/concentrator since 1996
Reply With Quote
  #84  
Old 2022-01-20, 2:24pm
phentron phentron is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 12, 2022
Location: country Victoria, Australia
Posts: 33
Default

ESC,
I use a standard bench grinder, you could use an angle grinder if that is all you have. No need to polish after grinding. To use it, hold the glass in one hand, mark where to score with your thumb, with the ground surface of the file against your thumb, pull the file, with a slight rotation of the glass - using the file edge between the ground part & un-ground surface to score the glass.

My torch has a metal 'V' mounted on top, balance hot glass on it & score with the file, then the weight of the file is brought down to snap the glass - this technique is great for opening a closed pull point.

Peter
Reply With Quote
  #85  
Old 2022-03-26, 9:36pm
phentron phentron is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 12, 2022
Location: country Victoria, Australia
Posts: 33
Default Marble molds

I made my first marble mold using a cheap set of round bottom router bits, using a drill press but I found you must clamp the graphite block in a vice, etc to stop any movement (my first mold was not round because it kept moving)


Safety note; you must have dust extraction when using power tools on graphite – I used a vacuum cleaner & and wear a dust mask.

Graphite is soft & easy to machine, a cheap set of router bits under $20, sizes 6 – 32mm (1.25”). Larger ones start costing more & biggest I’ve seen is 2”

I wanted bigger marble molds, first considered making large ‘router bits’ from something like large washers, welding on (or brazing) a shaft & sharpening a cutting edge. (If you go with this idea, be aware of the danger of spinning large cutting tools!!!)

I ended up making a concave cutting attachment for my metal lathe, this lets me make any size marble mold from 50 to 125mm (2-5”).



An easier way is to use a wood turning lathe (if I had one) & use bowl turning methods.

I have also made a set of graphite push, using the lathe. They could also be made with a metal file. Graphite can be smoothed with fine sand paper, remove graphite dust by washing with water & cloth.



Peter
Reply With Quote
  #86  
Old 2022-04-19, 11:11am
beadysam's Avatar
beadysam beadysam is offline
Frit frit and more frit!
 
Join Date: Nov 09, 2005
Location: Wales, UK
Posts: 469
Default

Some of the reusable straws made of metal - not bamboo - work well for circles, eyes etc. I don't know if anyone is into pimple popping? You can get a nice set of 5 tools with various things on each end (10 ends) for around £3-£4 sterling, so around $5 for you guys I think. Teeny, tiny pin nosed tweezers are a Look useful for picking off tiny blemishes - a bit of smut, an accidental touch of colour, some scum etc. Bigger tweezers work well too but the tiny ones cause less distortion . Work outside the flame (as you should with all tools), as the tips will become soft with heat and it's easy to burn through something so tiny. If your tips get soft, it's because you have annealed or softened the metal, this can be sorted by throwing them in a barrel tumbler for a while. Or you can DIY it by gently (to keep shape) hitting the softened tips with a small hammer, or other small tool until hard. Do one side at a time!
Have a trawl through pottery tools, there are some goodies there. Also tiny, mini cookie cutters: can be used for cane or As an imprint in your glass. Hope some of them are useful? X
__________________
Regards,
SAM x
Reply With Quote
  #87  
Old 2022-05-05, 7:09am
Rara-Flame's Avatar
Rara-Flame Rara-Flame is offline
Faith Inspired Artistry
 
Join Date: Jul 14, 2020
Location: U.K.
Posts: 17
Default Photo print tubes (for rod storing)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rachel View Post
… I wish I had a better way for storing my longer glass rods. Nothing good has come to mind…
Hi Rachel. Although your post is a way back now, the idea is still there. I use cardboard photo print storage tubes.

Get the thick-walled, 2-3mm x 50mm diameter ones, of various lengths. (with the plastic end caps, one of which you remove) Tape a number of them together to form a triangle shape. Depending on how many tubes on the first row, you can leave the top flat. If you secure the tubes well, with extra tape across and around the remaining end-cap, they make a fairly solid group. You can either stand them up (secured of course) or lay them flat in a rack - a very good rod and tube holder.
__________________
Allow an inspiration to inspire. 🤔
Reply With Quote
  #88  
Old 2022-09-01, 10:12pm
Patti Bullard Patti Bullard is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 30, 2022
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Posts: 5
Default Alcohol swabs

I love to keep a box of little alcohol swabs for a quick and easy way to clean a dirty glass rod. Tiny, but mighty handy!
Reply With Quote
  #89  
Old 2022-10-13, 7:26am
beadysam's Avatar
beadysam beadysam is offline
Frit frit and more frit!
 
Join Date: Nov 09, 2005
Location: Wales, UK
Posts: 469
Default

I store my glass in plumbing pipe, white for 104, black for boro. Also I have bits and bobs of silver glass and 96coe kicking around and for that I use Pringles tubes, or the new Doritos stackers that are triangle shaped. Not sure what the equivalent is in the US? They are tubes of crisps/potato chips that are all the same shape, stack together, and are good for dipping in salsa etc. The Doritos ones are nacho crisps/chips in triangular shapes and therefore come in a triangle tube. Hope that helps.

Oooh, also these tubes are great for making shards. As they are foil lined they dont burn, and you can knock off your blown ball of shard material and safely leave it to cool. Or use a tool to smash it in the tube and it offers some protection from flying shards.
__________________
Regards,
SAM x
Reply With Quote
  #90  
Old 2022-10-13, 9:13am
kevingreenbmx kevingreenbmx is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 31, 2022
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 127
Default

I use "Kraft tubes" from Uline for my color rod storage, they have caps to keep off dust, and come in different sizes. I use 1.5" diameter, 15" length for soft glass, and 24" length for boro colors. I make labels with important info about each color, and sample beads to wire to the caps.
Attached Images
 
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 1:25am.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Your IP: 44.204.218.79