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Go Back   Lampwork Etc. > Library > Boro Room

Boro Room -- For Boro-related tips, techniques, and questions.

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  #1  
Old 2023-06-26, 10:37pm
moong moong is offline
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Question I want to make a bead out of boro glass. need your help!

Could you tell me about the wires and mandrels that can be used for boroglass?
I've had some tips from persistent searches.
I ordered titanium wire based on this tip...
But this wire became ash as soon as it entered the torch!
The wire I used is 'Titanium Wire 28 Gauge 30 FT'.
What did I do wrong? Was the wire too thin?
What wire should I use to withstand this blazing flame?
I'm going to try 1/16 stainless steel for the mandrel.
...Am I going to turn this into ash again?
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  #2  
Old 2023-06-27, 5:18am
kevingreenbmx kevingreenbmx is offline
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28gauge is very thin, and it is not safe to use titanium in a torch flame, titanium ignites and then is very difficult to extinguish.

I use standard stainless steel bead mandrels for boro beads, same as soft glass. there is no difference.
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  #3  
Old 2023-06-27, 6:31am
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echeveria echeveria is offline
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I burn through 1/16 for boro. 3/32 or larger is better I think. Stainless steel welding rod is what I use, cut down to size. And you need some bead release.
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  #4  
Old 2023-06-27, 7:10am
kevingreenbmx kevingreenbmx is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by echeveria View Post
I burn through 1/16 for boro. 3/32 or larger is better I think.
yes, good point, I also avoid the thinner diameters when making boro beads (though I rarely make beads, basically just for color samples when I get new colors)
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  #5  
Old 2023-06-27, 2:51pm
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Eileen Eileen is offline
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Use TIG stainless steel welding rod, don't get the stuff with the flux in it. I get L316 or L308. You can buy ready made mandrels online if you don't have a welding shop nearby.
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  #6  
Old 2023-06-27, 8:47pm
moong moong is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kevingreenbmx View Post
yes, good point, I also avoid the thinner diameters when making boro beads (though I rarely make beads, basically just for color samples when I get new colors)
I'll buy a larger than 3/32. I didn't know I needed a bead release. I was just burning mandrel
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  #7  
Old 2023-06-27, 9:21pm
moong moong is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eileen View Post
Use TIG stainless steel welding rod, don't get the stuff with the flux in it. I get L316 or L308. You can buy ready made mandrels online if you don't have a welding shop nearby.
I think I can get both 308 and 316 on the Internet!
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  #8  
Old 2023-06-30, 1:17pm
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SGA SGA is offline
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Don’t put the mandrel directly in the heat. Only the glass is supposed to touch the mandrel or wire. Tools (generally speaking) should never remain in the flame. They will all melt, even the 3/32nd and larger.

If metal things turn red, move it.
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  #9  
Old 2023-08-08, 9:41am
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speedingpullet speedingpullet is offline
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I'll ditto on the TIG stainless steel rods, though you'll have to cut them to size as the rods themselves are about 3ft long. Buy a packet and you'll never have to worry about mandrels again!
The only mandrels I buy now from bead shops are super thick and/or hollow ones.

Also ditto on the diameter - Boro torches will cook smaller diameter rods very quickly.

I can't think in inch fractions ����♀️ but anything smaller than 2mm will probably not make it to the annealer!
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  #10  
Old 2023-08-09, 7:11pm
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KJohn KJohn is offline
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I buy mandrels from Lost_helm on ebay, very reliable.
https://www.ebay.com/usr/lost_helm

Wire....for boro not sure. I think most are a no go.

If the 104 marbles are properly annealed, they should be as sturdy as boro
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boro, boro beads, mandrel, wire


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