Stupid Newbie Question About A Punty

BrownGirl · #1 2011-09-04, 5:40pm

I think I need to get a couple and wondering where to get them. I have looked on a few sites and can't find anything under "Punty" when I search. I have been trying to use one of my thicker clear rods but they get soft pretty quickly. I also tried just using a thicker mandrel but it's not working.

Suggestions, links and tips would be appreciated.

Thank you

--Monica

Eileen · #2 2011-09-04, 5:45pm

I think a lot of people use a clear boro rod. I have a few, but haven't tried them yet.

Jazarra · #3 2011-09-04, 5:47pm

you need to just pass the thicker glass rod (I use shorts ) in and out of the flame real quick you just want to make it warm so the glass you are melting can stick to it

I do this with a minor all the time and it works ,just don't leave it in the flame long enough to melt just to warm

BrownGirl · #4 2011-09-04, 5:50pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eileen

I think a lot of people use a clear boro rod. I have a few, but haven't tried them yet.

Oh. Okay. Maybe I will just buy a couple of those. Thanks!

Eileen · #5 2011-09-04, 5:56pm

It might depend on what you're using them for though, so don't take that as gospel!
Here is a tutorial (making a fish murrini) where he uses them:
http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...ght=boro+punty

BrownGirl · #6 2011-09-04, 5:58pm

Mostly I am trying to make twisties right now.

PerfectDeb · #7 2011-09-04, 5:59pm

i use 12mm clear rods - i prepare them beforehand by melting then end and either flattening it into a maria or making a point - depending on what i'm doing

what are you using them for? cos that really determines what you get - for pulling murrini you might want chopsticks or thick mandrels or the noodlesaurus type flat end things. for pulling stringer i use a clear stringer, for making twisties i use clear rods or chopsticks depending on the glass in the twistie (really soft colours like white can be hard to punty up to with a rod)

i bought some boro to use as puntys but i kept getting it mixed up so i gave up on that idea - it didnt really make it that much easier anyway

if you're melting your punty thats more of a technique issue anyway

LarryC · #8 2011-09-04, 6:15pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrownGirl

Mostly I am trying to make twisties right now.

Are you working with 96/104 soft glass or boro? I work in boro and I do everything off mandrel. I dont own any mandrels at all. I use appropriate size boro rod for puntys and all of my sculptural work is done right on the end of rod. One size definitely does not fit all. More specific info of what you are trying to do might allow us to help more.

Sheila D. · #9 2011-09-04, 6:18pm

I use a clear boro rod about 12" long. Melt one end 'til it droops, this will help you from getting it mixed up with the 104. I also keep mine seperate in a jar with the mandrels that I use for twisties,cane etc.

PerfectDeb · #10 2011-09-04, 6:20pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheila D.

I use a clear boro rod about 12" long. Melt one end 'til it droops, this will help you from getting it mixed up with the 104. I also keep mine seperate in a jar with the mandrels that I use for twisties,cane etc.

thats a good idea! i encased with mine, wondering all the while why this rod of clear was so stiff

Eileen · #11 2011-09-04, 6:37pm

The two I have I got from an LE'er and the ends are painted/markered? to make them obvious.
I liked this tutorial for using a mandrel:
http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3450

Sheila D. · #12 2011-09-04, 6:38pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by PerfectDeb

thats a good idea! i encased with mine, wondering all the while why this rod of clear was so stiff

I did the same thing! That's when I came up with this lil trick!

nikki2kats · #13 2011-09-04, 7:18pm

For twisties I just use stainless steel mandrels as the punty, for bigger gathers boro. I have a couple of different sizes since the DH works in boro, just make a maria so you do not confuse them with your soft glass.

Nikki

Lisi · #14 2011-09-04, 8:05pm

I use 1/4" mandrels and stopped using boro for punties. I was getting tired of the glass popping off of them and don't want to take chances with the boro getting into my soft glass.

BrownGirl · #15 2011-09-05, 1:24am

Okay, I made twisties for like... 3 hours tonight using that mandrel tut and it worked really well! Thanks for directing me to it. I had so much fun with it.

Eileen · #16 2011-09-05, 6:07am

Great!

houptdavid · #17 2011-09-05, 1:25pm

You can also use stainless steel chopsticks

Lisi · #18 2011-09-05, 3:22pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by houptdavid

You can also use stainless steel chopsticks

Yep, I had some and loved them but lost those somewhere in the mess.