Hi,
I have some questions. I took a lampwork class Sunday and LOVED IT!! My teacher said I did very well. There were only two of us in the class so we got really good instruction and guidance. I made 17 beads in a 6-hr class! Round, flat square, cylaner - I even ventured a triangle. I was really happy. Some of them turned out pretty well too! So, I bought the kit they had there - it had a HH torch, didymium glasses, ss tweezers, flint lighter, ss rod rest, ceramic blanket, cem-fil work surface, Fusion flame dry bead release, four head pin vice, 12 madrels in three sizes, ss rake, and a graphite paddle. Now I have a ton of questions.
First - what is the rake for?
Second - I am going to be using the blanket and then batch annealing in the store's kiln. How long do I leave them in the blanket? It has all sorts of cancer warnings - is it safe to touch the blanket or should I use gloves or something else to lift it up and stick in the bead?
Third - how do you use flame-dry bead release?
Fourth - what is a four-head pin vice? She said you can use it to hold your mandrels. She also said if you want to make a two-hole bead or a button, you can bend a mandrel and hold that with the vice.
Fifth - How much ventilation do you need? I am trying to figure out where to work. I have our bedroom, which has two windows directly across from each other, and a ceiling fan. I was thinking of opening the windows and turning on the fan and sitting in front of the larger (double) window. I have an infant and a toddler so I really really want to make sure there is enough ventilation. I also have the option of using my garage, but I dont know what to do about the summer's heat and winter's cold.
Sixth - can you use different types of glass together, like moretti and bull's eye?
Seventh - where are the least expensive places online to shop for glass rods, frit, foil, presses, and dichroic rods?
Lastly - I read about getting a hose and a propane BBQ tank. We used the small MAPP gas tanks. I think I would rather do the BBQ tank thing. Where do you get a hose and how much do they run? How long will the BBQ tank burn? She said the MAPP cylander will burn about 6 hrs and was $7. Does the torch burn differently with propane than with MAPP? I have a HH torch.
Thanks!!!
Theresa

The rake is for manipulating the surface of the glass. You can lay down designs, heat it, and use the rake to drag the surface around and make designs. When you try it, don't put the rake in very deep. It has to just barely touch the surface.

You leave the beads in the blanket until they are room temperature.

You flame dry bead release by dipping the mandrels and then drying them in the flame. You want to dry them farther out in the flame than you would to melt glass. You can also dip them in advance and let them air dry.

The pin vice can be used to hold a mandrel, although I don't know many people that actually use them for that.

Ventilation is a tricky subject. You need a way to exhaust the fumes in your exact area. Just having air circulating around the room may not be enough. I would suggest at a minimum a box fan in the window you are in front of. Have the fan blowing outwards. You also need make-up air. That source must be at least 10 linear feet from the exhaust point.

Glass is classified by its Coefficient of Expansion (COE). Moretti has a COE of 104. Bullseye has a COE of 90. You can't mix glass that has different COE's. There are a few exceptions, but generally you need to stick to that rule.

You don't want to run propane through your torch. Propane burns too dirty. The people that use the BBQ tanks use propolyne. Around here, you can find it at welding supply stores. You may have to ask around. Prices vary from place to place as well. But, it should last at least 4-5 times as long as a MAPP canister.

Here's another question from a beginner: Does anyone ever buy beads online, and find that they have no holes? Should I assume that the beads will come with holes drilled in them? Twice I have been unable to find holes. Thanks.

Um...Gotta beg to differ on the propane issue - of course..that depends...
If you're using a fireline, or hothead - you may have some problems with dirt.
If that's the case, buy a brand new tank, & switch suppliers.
I've been using bulk propane for 25 yrs...never had a problem - so much cheaper than MAPP...
However, my supplier takes very good care to ensure that his product is clean...
(keeping in mind that I use two oxy concentrators, and both a Nortel Minor, and a Lynx GTT...as opposed to a hothead...although when I teach/travel, I supply hotheads for student use - and still have rarely had a dirt problem.

Good Luck!
Janice
BonEcho Lampworks

Thank you very much for all the answers and information!
Theresa

QUOTE: Originally posted by kgbaker10 Here's another question from a beginner: Does anyone ever buy beads online, and find that they have no holes? Should I assume that the beads will come with holes drilled in them? Twice I have been unable to find holes. Thanks.

Hi, kg...You should probably post this question separately, as you will get more responses that way.

Yes, I have received "beads" with no holes. I've learned a bit though...if they simply say "stones" or "cabachons," they probably are not drilled (there are other clues, too). If in doubt, inquire before you buy.

elly

check out www.wetcanvas.com for detailed answers to these kind of questions -

they have a great community forum under artglass and tutorials -

when i started lampworking - I set up my whole studio on all of the great information i got from them -

hope it helps,
andrea
www.believablebalderdash.com
www.mainlinebeadsociety.org