Tutorial: Pulling Stringer from Reduction Glass Large-Chunks

[ValorieCox]

I like to pull my stringers of reduction glass from glass chunks rather than frit because it’s a very fast method (preheat the chunk), and the final stringer are very strong and consistent in width. The reduction-glass rods (in the original form) are quite thick (each single rod can weigh up to 2 lbs) so you break them up, or buy small chunks. (like the pieces we had in the Swap Shop earlier)



Since you’ll preheat the glass pieces in the kiln you’ll need long tweezers to pull the glass from the kiln before it goes into the flame. I also like to use the tweezers with the reverse-close, which are a lot less effort for holding a hot chunk of glass. (top of photo)



You’ll also want to prepare your punties. I prefer to use metal punties—either solid stainless steel chopsticks or 1/8” mandrels work wonderfully for getting nice thin stringers. (you’ll want thin stringers, this glass is very intense).



Pop your glass chunks into a hot kiln (950+). Let them heat up at least 10 minutes. Have your torch lit and ready. Pull a single glass chunk from the kiln with your long tweezers.



I usually transfer my hot-glass-chunk directly from the kiln into a metal dish, so that I can switch to my shorter length tweezers, with the reverse-close, also to ensure that I don’t drop the hot-chunk on the way to my torch (my torch and kiln are 4-5 feet from each other).



Next heat up just one corner of the glass chunk. It’s already very hot, so this will only take a few seconds.



Preheat the tip of your metal punty to a red glow.



Press the red-hot punty into the red-hot corner of the glass. Wiggle it around so it’s nice and secure.



Let go of your tweezers, the punty will hold the glass fine.



Switch the punty to your other hand.



continued…

[ValorieCox]

Heat all the glass up a bit, making sure to periodically heat the metal where it touches the glass, so it doesn’t cool and pop off the punty.



Take your second punty and heat another corner of the glass, and punty up to it, as you did before.



Now heat the glob completely. This goes very fast, it shouldn’t take more than a minute or less to heat this amount. Once heated throughout (don’t forget to heat the metal/glass junction) take out of the flame, hold for a couple seconds and very slowly pull, to get your stringer. (I was taking these photos as I was melting the glass, and just couldn’t’ get a photo of me pulling!)



You should get about 3 to 4 feet from that size chunk. Let it cool, and flame cut one end. I always have more glass left on one punty. So while it’s still hot, I heat up that end, and dip it into my tray of large glass frit/chunks to get another bit of thin stringer.






Dip your metal punties into a dish of water, so the glass breaks off, and the punty is all ready for next time.



This is the stringer I got from this single glass chunk while making this tutorial



Of course this is only one method—and you will find your own way that works best for you.

Good luck! Valorie

[graceandbeauty]

Thanks Val! Very helpful! Now I will know what to do when I get the reduction glass chunks from you!

Melissa

[glasstar8-Janet]

Val, Your pictures are so helpful. Thank you for showing it in such detail.
glasstar8-Janet

[Turtlebeader]

Fabulous tutorial, Val!

You must have amazing coordination to manage to hold the puntys, deal with the glass, hold the camera, and take photos, all at once! *hee hee* These are perfect instructions - I appreciate you taking the time to write them up :-)

[snootyvixen]

Great tutorial, Val!

(Don't forget to rate the thread, guys!)

Vikki

[Jinx.Garza]

Excellent tutorial!

p.s. Let's remember to rate this thread, guys!

[ValorieCox]

Thanks guys!

I forgot to mention, this German reduction glass has a high lead content (one reason we can use it with Bullseye and Moretti glass), so use excellent ventillation, and all those related activities to ensure your good health.

Val

[Felicia]

Originally posted by snootyvixen
(Don't forget to rate the thread, guys!)

How do you do this? ????

Felicia

[gwacie]

Awesome step by step Val - your photos and instructions are perfect and very informative. I use a similar method for goldstone stringer - but you've got some steps I like even better than my method. Thanks for sharing

Oh, Jinx - I rated the thread immediately then read the other comments such as yours -GMTA.

One question - what would you consider the best source for Reduc rods?

[Felicia]

Originally posted by Felicia


How do you do this? ????

Felicia

I was able to answer my own question - just had to hunt alittle bit on here!

Felicia

[ValorieCox]

Originally posted by gwacie
One question - what would you consider the best source for Reduc rods?

C R Loo and Olympic Color. Both on the West coast.

Val

[Ted Trower]

Originally posted by gwacie
One question - what would you consider the best source for Reduc rods?

Color Rod suppliers in the USA:

CR Loo
http://www.crloo.com/
Richmond, California

East Bay Color
http://www.eastbaycolor.com/home/index.html
Richmond, California

Olympic Color Rod
http://www.glasscolor.com/
Seattle, Washington

Spruce Pine Batch
http://www.sprucepinebatch.com/glasscolor.html
SprucePine, North Carolina

Hot Glass Color & Supply
http://www.hotglasscolor.com/price_chart.htm
Seattle, Washington


There may well be others. Olympic is my favorite.

Don't neglect the possibility of buying your glass locally. Many glass artists, especially those who rent time in their studio, sell color rod in small quantities. Stop by or call your local glassblower and ask!

[3SistersBeads]

I don't have any big chunks but I've got frit in different sizes. I read something last night about using a boro rod as a punty.

Otherwise, what color glass do you use? Clear?

Thanks! Great tutorial Val! It'll be a BIG help when I finally get around to this.

Leslie

[Chae]

Thanks Val !!!
This is an excellent tutorial and much appreciated !!!!
Chae