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Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips |
View Poll Results: Is your favorite tool specifically made for Lampwork or have "MacGyvered" one?
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Store Purchased
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219 |
67.18% |
Handmade, baby!
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95 |
29.14% |
Tools? I don't use no stinkin' tools!
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7 |
2.15% |
I'm not telling you!
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5 |
1.53% |
2012-02-24, 6:09am
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Angie09
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Join Date: Aug 06, 2009
Posts: 1,788
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArtcoInc
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I use mine all the time!! Just sits quietly on my torch table til the dreaded "wobbley" bead comes along and with 2 short moves, it's back in line. LOVE that tool!!!
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2012-02-24, 6:14am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jan 03, 2009
Location: ohio
Posts: 453
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My favorite tool is actually a pointed non serrated plier used for jewelry making. I used it like a tweezer to get in and do detail work and it feels secure in my hand so I get good control with it. So far, I haven't killed it with the heat.
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Catherine Napier Designs
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2012-03-01, 3:47pm
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Forms in Glass
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Join Date: Apr 05, 2006
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 899
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my brain.
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Michael Mangiafico
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My Etsy
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2012-10-12, 5:32am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 11, 2006
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 575
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I love Michael's answer. I was going to say my flame...
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Anne
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2012-10-20, 7:29pm
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Dynamic Duo
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Join Date: Aug 13, 2009
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 1,605
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rubyglass
Uncle Al's Rod Grabber- It has saved my fingers so many times...
I use my Stump Shaper all the time.
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both of these!!!!
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2012-11-20, 4:11pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 18, 2007
Posts: 568
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For me, it's stainless steel punties (just mandrels employed for off-mandrel work). My work would be entirely different without these.
Other than that, it's my 6-in-1 marble mold. It serves as a marver or a rounder, and when I work off mandrel, rounding is pretty much every other step, and half of the rest of them are marvering. I'd like to know how many thousands of steps it's been used in. Unlike infinite rim molds, which leave an orange-peel surface, the regular cup-style molds with sharp-cornered edges can leave a marble very smooth, ready for fire-polishing and then finishing. I do love my IR mold, though.
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2012-11-20, 4:27pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 14, 2012
Location: Bennington, VT
Posts: 1,776
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hmmm, every infinite rim mold i've used hasn't left orange peel on the marble.
perhaps you got a poorly machined mold?
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2012-11-20, 4:36pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 18, 2007
Posts: 568
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I don't think so - it's the best made graphite tool I've ever seen. It's just that there's more contact area, so it chills the marble more. It's not always terrible, but there's a noticable texture, whereas with the 6-in-1 I can easily get a marble so smooth it looks like it's already been fire-polished. Maybe I'm using the IR mold wrong, but I can't do that with it, or at least not near as easily.
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2012-11-21, 7:00am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 14, 2012
Location: Bennington, VT
Posts: 1,776
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yea if your getting a rough surface then you're definitely putting the marble in the mold too hot.
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2012-11-21, 7:43am
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Now part of the Dark Side
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Join Date: Jul 02, 2010
Location: North Central PA
Posts: 966
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I get more wrinkles from my 3 in one from trying to shape too hot. Remember you want to use the edge of the mold not the bottom.
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Roy
Hot glass does not crack.
Unless it is glowing and drippy, hot glass looks like cold glass.
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2012-11-21, 10:05pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 18, 2007
Posts: 568
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Actually, with the Infinite Rim molds you use the bottom. That's what "infinite rim" refers to. The whole thing functions (somewhat) like the rim due to its geometry. Maybe for final step you're still supposed to use just the edge.
Maybe I am putting it in too hot. Whatever the case, with less effort, the 6 in 1 gives me a smoother marble with less effort. I use the Infinite Rim mold for quickly getting things into round that are way far away from round - it excels at that. I've probably turned out a thousand marbles using the pair and a lot more than that using the 6 in 1, so I'm not just blowing smoke.
edit to add:
Drew Fritts, the inventor of the IR molds and a person that's made a lot more marbles than myself, doesn't even use his graphite Infinite Rim molds for the final step, but switches to a cherrywood mold because of this very problem. I find I don't need the cherrywood mold, because the cup-style mold leaves the marble completely ready for flame-polishing. I might change my ways when I start making more large marbles, because the larger the marble, the harder it is to keep the edge of the cup-style from leaving lines.
I'm very glad to have both, and I use them both on almost every piece I make.
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2012-11-22, 12:15am
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professional gimme fiver
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Join Date: Feb 12, 2007
Location: Lancaster, PA
Posts: 1,207
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I love the rod holder I got from Graceful Customs. I have several containers of shorts, and now I can use them!
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Alexis
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2012-11-22, 9:56pm
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Eugene, Oregon
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Join Date: May 30, 2007
Location: Eugene
Posts: 311
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The torch is my favorite tool. Can't live with out it! hee her her
now that I got the smart ass out.... I love a marver that I've had from day one. I bought it and have no idea who designed it. Its chipped, burnt and shop worn. When I teach a private lesson in my studio I put away. (selfish me, I would be sad if it was dropped and broken the rest of the way) I really should post a photo maybe someone knows where I can get a replacement.
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Cheers from Nancy Gant
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2013-05-21, 8:44pm
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Member
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Join Date: Jun 16, 2008
Posts: 47
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tweezers.
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-Max
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2015-01-02, 11:53am
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Oct 24, 2014
Location: Wakefield, MA
Posts: 15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dusty
Actually, with the Infinite Rim molds you use the bottom. That's what "infinite rim" refers to. The whole thing functions (somewhat) like the rim due to its geometry. Maybe for final step you're still supposed to use just the edge.
Maybe I am putting it in too hot. Whatever the case, with less effort, the 6 in 1 gives me a smoother marble with less effort. I use the Infinite Rim mold for quickly getting things into round that are way far away from round - it excels at that. I've probably turned out a thousand marbles using the pair and a lot more than that using the 6 in 1, so I'm not just blowing smoke.
edit to add:
Drew Fritts, the inventor of the IR molds and a person that's made a lot more marbles than myself, doesn't even use his graphite Infinite Rim molds for the final step, but switches to a cherrywood mold because of this very problem. I find I don't need the cherrywood mold, because the cup-style mold leaves the marble completely ready for flame-polishing. I might change my ways when I start making more large marbles, because the larger the marble, the harder it is to keep the edge of the cup-style from leaving lines.
I'm very glad to have both, and I use them both on almost every piece I make.
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According to the illustrations in his book you don't use the bottom of the infinite rim mold. It's called an infinite rim mold because it's like you have an infinite number of rims along the side, so the marble fits the mold better. If you use the bottom, you're defeating the purpose, and need to either make bigger marbles or use a smaller mold. You're using it like a really big cup mold.
I agree with what someone else posted, you're putting the marble into the mold too hot.
I believe he switches to a cherrywood mold because he's a perfectionist and wants the end result as smooth as it can possibly be. No matter how smooth you can get it with a graphite mold, cherrywood can get it smoother. (cherrywood doesn't steal heat like graphite does)
With all that said; if what you're doing is working for you then none of what I just said really matters, but you might be able to get better use of your mold with this info.
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2015-01-02, 1:28pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 07, 2011
Location: Northern California
Posts: 2,023
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Capsalty
According to the illustrations in his book you don't use the bottom of the infinite rim mold. It's called an infinite rim mold because it's like you have an infinite number of rims along the side, so the marble fits the mold better. If you use the bottom, you're defeating the purpose, and need to either make bigger marbles or use a smaller mold. You're using it like a really big cup mold.
I agree with what someone else posted, you're putting the marble into the mold too hot.
I believe he switches to a cherrywood mold because he's a perfectionist and wants the end result as smooth as it can possibly be. No matter how smooth you can get it with a graphite mold, cherrywood can get it smoother. (cherrywood doesn't steal heat like graphite does)
With all that said; if what you're doing is working for you then none of what I just said really matters, but you might be able to get better use of your mold with this info.
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I think you have both missed the point. As long as the cherrywood mold is used and kept wet, it never fully touches the surface. A layer of steam forms between the glass and mold protecting it. Last step for me is similar to what drew is doing but I fire polish. I do use infinite rims but only for shaping and not for the final step. So many different ways to do this. No single method is "correct" so do what is working.
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2015-02-10, 9:24am
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I fart diamonds
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Join Date: Jun 14, 2005
Location: Altamonte Springs, FL
Posts: 3,893
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Brass butter knife ($0.50 @ Salvation Army) & Needle-knosed pliers ($1.99 @ Harbor Freight.) Those are the tools that I use in every single torch session.
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-Shawnette the original "everybody get a grip" girl
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2015-02-22, 4:57pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 28, 2014
Location: U.P Michigan
Posts: 231
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this is the best store bought tool!
this is best hand made tool!
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2015-06-11, 8:28pm
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Dancing Moon Shadows
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Join Date: Apr 02, 2009
Location: Lincoln, CA
Posts: 1,790
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My electric mandrel spinner.
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May your day be happy and productive!
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2015-06-12, 9:19pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 03, 2006
Posts: 179
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Tungsten pick.
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"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music."
FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE
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2015-06-16, 8:37am
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professional gimme fiver
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Join Date: Feb 12, 2007
Location: Lancaster, PA
Posts: 1,207
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I have a round bead roller that I got from Howaco Glass a few years ago. It's graphite and I use the smooth side all the time. I have many bead rollers , but the back of this one is my absolute fave tool that I use all the time. Go figure, I'm using it the wrong way and its my favorite! Lol!
I also use a tool all the time that I got from Graceful Customs, which is a rod holder for short rods. It's really invaluable. Fits perfectly in my hand and allows me to use the last bits of my rods up without putting them in a bucket labeled "SHORTS".
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Alexis
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