Encasing Opals?

[Dom]

I did a search, seems most people just drop em in a tube. Some people like to encase with clear. I think I would prefer the tube method, but...

Do I heat a gather at the end of a blowtube and then drop the opal in, or do I just drop in the opal and slowly implode it into the tube?

I think dropping it into a hot blob might help get out air bubbles. Any opinions?

[Cosmo]

I just close the end of the tube, drop the opal in, and then melt it down around it. Just go slow and you won't have a problem with bubbles.

[n3rd]

thanks for the tip cosmo i've been having troubles always trapping a tiny bubble on the back of the bubble when dropping it in a tube, i'll try going slower. thanks! :)

[garrick]

i like for the end of the tube to be hot enough for the opal to stick when it first gets dropped in, then slowly implode.

[The Lorax]

I just close the end of the tube, drop the opal in, and then melt it down around it. Just go slow and you won't have a problem with bubbles.

couldn't of said it better myself

[Greymatter Glass]

imploding it from the inside or the outside of the tube doesn't really matter if you've got the right technique.... if you start on the outside you can determine the placement, where dropping it in a tube is a crap shoot that it will land the way you want it.

[Glacier_Arts_Studio]

^^^word^^^

out side is how i learned to do it...
slow and easy with a natural flame too...

i do mine as a hot pick up...

..:puzzled:

[Dom]

Hmm now Im debating, I have a couple 3mm hearts and some 3mm spheres, I think Ill try the spheres from the inside and the heart do a hot pick up with something like 12mm rod? Then slowly implode?

[Glacier_Arts_Studio]

i don't know if this is right but, i clean my paddle,
place the opal out near the end, slide it into the
doggie door and soak it for about 15 minutes...
i try to put only as little of the paddle in as possible...
thats my plan of attack, when i do that...