Ground Glass Graphite tool

[LunacyMountain]

So I got a 14mil male graphite tool for ground glass fittings and I'm not able to get my male pieces to lock into the graphite hole....it fits snugly but they don't lock...are all of them this way or is mine just drilled slightly too big?

[wfsupply]

What you want to do on each of the gong holders is push the slide in the holder, and give it a gentle twist in either direction. That should "lock" it in place and keep it in there so you can blow air without it flying out the end of it. When you're done with the tool and need to get the slide out, tap on the graphite top of the tool a few taps and the slide will loosen and start to come out. Toss it in the kiln and your ready to go.

[LunacyMountain]

yeah thanks...I also gave the inside of the gong tool a cleaning it had tons of graphite dust still in it it seems to work fine now.....

[LifeGlass]

I do the twist and lock and it works, unless I'm working a slide and it gets the graphite good and hot.... then itmy blow out sometimes....

My question is, Is it only becaue ivebeen stuck ujsing china joints?

[Ubatuba]

Try Giving it a tap in with a paddle or wood stick. Tap the ground joint handle repeatedly to make it come out. You can hear/feel it come loose. Way better then trying to twist it in to lock it. Works every time

[wfsupply]

If your working the slide and the graphite gets too hot, try making the slide, then attaching it to the ground joint *last*. All you really need the tool for is that part.

[LifeGlass]

Build it on a blowtube I guess, then hot grab and remove blowtube and make connection to joint?

[wfsupply]

Build it on a blowtube I guess, then hot grab and remove blowtube and make connection to joint?

That's what I do, but I've seen it done both ways really. I think its more of what works best for *you*......... I make the slide on a blowtube, then before popping my bowl and shaping it I attach it to the slide holder, then do the pop and push and then hit the weld.........

[Dom]

Yea buy you cannot get clean welds like that...

To get a good weld you want to be able to blow it out a little bit, that is why I would attach the piece before poppin the bowl hole.

[LunacyMountain]

did some samples today will post pics in my progression thread later tonight...ended up making the bowl on a blow tube and using the gong tool just for the weld