Making devardi glass less shocky - Page 3

glassactcc · #61 2011-09-27, 8:05pm

I honestly cannot figure out why these Devardi threads get so out of hand. Who cares what glass people want to use or the reason they buy it. I buy Effetre because CIM is too expensive unless I can get it at a deep discount. I don't buy expensive clears because I think unless you are making marbles, or transparent beads it doesn't' matter. Forget Double Helix or expensive silver glasses, I will not spend $80.00 lb. for glass when I can use Kuglar reduction color. I do have some seconds of DH that I purchased when it first came out. I use very little of it.

There, I said it. I'm CHEAP! But I really do like Effetre the best. It's just what I am used to.

Signguy · #62 2011-09-27, 8:07pm

Yep, I kind of got that. Ive been reading for awhile...

Thanks for the heads up though!

I've also seen some pretty nasty threads on other groups about divardi where people were just pummeling each other...

Guess I'm more of a live and let live guy. But I do glass to relax, so I I'm pretty motivated to keep it fun and happy

Erik

AKDesigns · #63 2011-09-27, 8:26pm

Cynthia, I could explain why it happens but it would just make this thread even worse.

PerfectDeb · #64 2011-09-27, 10:30pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shrimp

I'd like to know how many brave soles there are out there that just stick a cold rod of glass directly in the flame without even wafting it, in and out of the flame until it is preheated. It seems to me that everyone has some sort of preheating stage in their lampworking routine. I've seen videos of professional lampwork artists using those stainless steel rod warmers placed behind the flame, and to be quite frank with you, I have never seen any Devardi rods on those warmers. My two personal methods of preheating my rods are either a cup of boiling hot water, or an old coffee mug placed on a coffee cup warmer. My lampwork mentor used a hot plate to preheat her rods. She only used Effetre glass.

all the time, but i'm a daredevil like that

you get to know the colours that are shocky and duck - little bits are not an issue but when the whole rod ends up as chunks on my desk i'm moving on to another brand or colour

and like someone said, you expect a 10mm rod to be shocky and flinch accordingly

ETA - with utmost respect and not trying to insult anybody (and answering cynthias rhetorical question) these threads go south because older and more experience heads usually offer the opinion that cheap glass that has to be handled carefully may just not be worth it, the people that choose to use said glass get offended because that implies they've made a poor choice - its like telling you that cute little bulgarian sports car you just bought is nowhere near as good as a porche but hey, you're having just as much fun driving it even though its a challenge.

VivianLampwork · #65 2011-09-28, 5:44am

Well said Deb

In the end, we should all remember to be respectful of others & their opinions.

Mountain Snail · #66 2011-09-28, 8:08am

Yes, no beating the dead horse. I am trying to sleep in it.

I could see how one of those rod racks would be handy in the winter.

Anne Ricketts · #67 2011-10-02, 7:21am

Ok, was just cruising da Bay and I see that Davardi is selling it there, I've got the rod warmer, is that not gonna be enough to make it less shocky? I really don't have time to read each post in here but they do have some gorgeous colors!!!

glassactcc · #68 2011-10-02, 7:27am

THis is what happens to me. I put a rod of it in the warmer and preheat it. If you are only going to use about 4" of the rod it's fine. If you are going to use more, it tends to break off at the cold part when you are close to it. It is very frustrating. I have some colors that I really like so I have melted them down and pulled them into small 2 to 3mm size and they work fine. Although, I am not fond of doing that either. Some of the smaller rods give me no trouble at all, except for the semi-trans colors. They are hopeless.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anne Ricketts

Ok, was just cruising da Bay and I see that Davardi is selling it there, I've got the rod warmer, is that not gonna be enough to make it less shocky? I really don't have time to read each post in here but they do have some gorgeous colors!!!

Anne Ricketts · #69 2011-10-02, 7:32am

Hmmm, so the semi trans are out. I was looking at some of the transparents and opaques and like you said Cynthia, I'm cheap also!

Guess it's a good price for trying it out though!

Anne Ricketts · #70 2011-10-02, 8:41am

Oh, two more questions, how is their clear glass? This is 104 coe, so it plays well with moretti and vetrofond right?

Steffi · #71 2011-10-02, 11:38am

I have some transparent pink devardi rods with aventurine stripes on the outside. They look sooo pretty but i did never ever see rods as shocky as those. Anise white and opal yellow are tame against them. And i have to try which colors are compatible with them. If i don't find any i have to make tons of spacers... -.-

I have other devardi rods. Some behave, some not...and those that don't behave are not alway the thick or uneven ones.

Anne Ricketts · #72 2011-10-02, 12:58pm

Well I guess if some are that shocky, I'll just put a pan underneath to catch all of it and make frit!

SilverRiverJewelry · #73 2011-10-02, 5:27pm

I have very little trouble with the devardi rods using the warmer. And I own most of their colors. I also have very little trouble with any of the other brands using the warmer. One or two colors still don't behave but I can live with that. I don't generally have much trouble with the rods breaking off above where its been pre warmed and I rarely have shocking. But I started using them when I first started lamp working so maybe I have just subconsciously worked out how to make it work. I love the colors and the transparents are very rich in color and the semi opaques do some interesting things.

No glass is perfect, I think everyone should make up their own minds, if you don't like it that's fine, if you do like it, that's fine too.

evvybuns · #74 2011-10-02, 5:50pm

I usually make big beads. Whenever I plan to use Devardi colors as a base, I stick two of whatever colors I need in the curling iron oven.

Soon enough I will hit a cooler part of the rod as I wind on glass, so I try to be disciplined enough to park my first rod back in the heater and continue with the second preheated one.

Cherri · #75 2012-01-30, 8:17am

Being a non started newbie (have not purchased anything yet). I read and read and get more and more confused. I realize there is a lot to take in, but isn't there a beginners glass that is less shocky and easier to work to give time to get used to the torch, mandrels and such?
While I understand some folks would say that even if it is shocky the cheaper glass is good because you don't lose so much in learning. Others say better glass makes learning a bit more fun but it costs more.
How about a happy medium? A glass that is newbie friendly, but not so touchy and not over the top expensive. Speaking of which, what is a decent price for glass (104/96)?
Thanks

glassactcc · #76 2012-01-30, 8:50am

I would suggest Effetre.

AKDesigns · #77 2012-01-30, 10:11am

Cherri, Both Frantz and Arrow Springs have starter kits where you get one rod of pretty much every regular production Effetre color. That's what I got when I started.

Polgarra · #78 2012-01-30, 10:35am

Many colors by effetre/vetrofond is not much more expensive than Devardi. A couple of dollars a pound and a pound is a lot of glass when you are starting.

PattyK · #79 2012-01-30, 11:28am

Vetrofond transparents and pastels are on sale at Frantz for less than $4 per pound right now. Nice glass to work with and much less than Devardi at $6 per pound.

Lyssa · #80 2012-01-30, 6:55pm

CIM (Creation is Messy) glass is delicious to work with, and is about is the same cost as Effetre glass.

Frantzartglass.com has frequent (every 2 or 3 months) 70% off sales for Vetrofond. That is decent stuff too.

ETA, oh crap, Frantz has a 70% off sale going on right now. I hate their 70% off sales. I can never resist.

tammydownunder · #81 2012-02-01, 4:58am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cherri

Being a non started newbie (have not purchased anything yet). I read and read and get more and more confused. I realize there is a lot to take in, but isn't there a beginners glass that is less shocky and easier to work to give time to get used to the torch, mandrels and such?
While I understand some folks would say that even if it is shocky the cheaper glass is good because you don't lose so much in learning. Others say better glass makes learning a bit more fun but it costs more.
How about a happy medium? A glass that is newbie friendly, but not so touchy and not over the top expensive. Speaking of which, what is a decent price for glass (104/96)?
Thanks

Learning to make beads with Devardi glass is like learning to drive in an 18 wheeler. Eventually, you'll master it but wouldn't it be easier to learn in an automatic Ford Focus?

Cherri · #82 2012-02-01, 5:44am

Thank you everyone for your replies.

I just ordered a hot head torch and then went to Frantz and ordered a little bit of glass. I can't resist sales either. I was dragging my feet a bit trying to figure out soft/boro and back and forth. However, the sale pushed me over. LOL Can't use the glass without a torch. hehehehe. I got the vetrofond and a bit of the Effetre. I was looking for clear and black and I could not find it in the vetrofond. I will have to learn where to get and who to get from.

Next off to the hardware store to collect some other needed items.

Thank you all again.

glassactcc · #83 2012-02-01, 8:53am

Arrow Springs is a great company to order glass and tools from.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cherri

I will have to learn where to get and who to get from.

Thank you all again.

BoulderGlassMonkey · #84 2012-02-01, 9:00am

Quote:

Originally Posted by tammydownunder

Learning to make beads with Devardi glass is like learning to drive in an 18 wheeler. Eventually, you'll master it but wouldn't it be easier to learn in an automatic Ford Focus?

HA!!! So true!

tilegoddess · #85 2012-02-01, 9:28am

Just in case anyone is interested in a bunch of Devardi glass... I have about 20lbs. of it that I am looking to move along. Most of the colors I found easy to work (they weren't too shocky)... but I'm still a newbie and learning to drive the "automatic ford focus" as Tammy so eloquently put it

My Devardi stash is just gathering dust and taking up space... it should be used by someone who knows how to work it. I really do have some gorgeous colors to play with...

Beadfairy · #86 2012-02-01, 11:59am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Signguy

As an alternative too, or in addition too using a rod warmer - has anyone ever tried annealing the glass in your kiln before using it?

It would be pretty easy to do in batches, and seems like it might help quite a bit too make it less shocky and easier to work with...

You can NOT anneal this glass.... I tried it and it's still as shocky as before.
I only use it very rare and preheat it in the kiln. This is what I call "not having fun lampworking"... always need to put two rods into the kiln so I can go on with the second rod when the fist one gets shocky again. Terrible!

Roo Blaty · #87 2012-02-01, 12:56pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by tammydownunder

Learning to make beads with Devardi glass is like learning to drive in an 18 wheeler. Eventually, you'll master it but wouldn't it be easier to learn in an automatic Ford Focus?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beadfairy

You can NOT anneal this glass.... I tried it and it's still as shocky as before.

Well, you CAN anneal it...it just doesn't have any effect.

I think if it had less "crap" embedded in it that may help.
When I ordered some, as a complete newbie, I was amazed at the "quality" of the glass. I said something in a thread, (I maybe had 6 posts) and felt beat-up afterwards and gave up. I thought about posting the pictures of the glass. (which looked like it had been dropped on the floor and THEN pulled) But after seeing how people stood by them - I just decided to chalk it up to a lessons learned...
The first lesson...stay out of the Devardi threads

Second....I'm just waaaay to nervous to use exploding glass.

EchoTantuli · #88 2012-02-01, 1:18pm

My solution for Devardi is to cut the rods into 1 inch sections, and toss them in the kiln before I start up. I cant see having a rod warmer to run along with all the other equipment. For any other shocky glass, besides Devardi, I put a rod rest on top of the kiln and put rods on it, the rest keeps one end cool enough to handle.
-Echo

Beadfairy · #89 2012-02-01, 1:44pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roo Blaty

Well, you CAN anneal it...it just doesn't have any effect.

you're right

essiemessy · #90 2012-02-01, 2:19pm

I've almost been tempted to try some of those lovely colours.
But I figure with the cheaper glass, in this instance anyway, the real price is extra appliances glowing away making our elec. meter resemble a whirling dervish.
I'll just stick to the crockie, and firing up the (brick) kiln every couple of weeks. It's not the kind of kiln to be sticking stuff in and out of any more than poking in finished beads, anyway.
It might sound mean (nasty AND miserly), but I still have to justify my outgoings.
And it's frustrating enough on a HH, without worrying about the extra time reheating rods in the flame.
Pity. Beautiful colours.