Beginners, don't use cheap Glass!

[AdamCotter]

Especially your clear.

Some good advice I was given, and made me basically have to start learning over again, was to use only clear.

My updated version of that advice is as follows. ..

DO NOT BUY Cheap Clear!!! (At least until you have a year or so under the belt)

It will be damn near impossible for you to learn on. Especially if you are working thru the Contemporary Lampworking books.

I know it's tempting, you say, " but I can get a whole CASE of 25mm for the price of 3 Pyrex tubes!?#"

NO.

Don't think about the cost that way.

I remember thinking Simax was garbage because it was a bit softer working than Corning, but the gooey Chinese stuff...


One more tip for people just starting out,

Don't use cheap clear.

And another thing,

Don't try to learn on cheap clear.

This is just my personal thoughts, take it or leave it as you like."let them go to he'll in their own way " as Bob Wier says. (or somebody said that...)

[Nomad]

I used to use Pyrex but when they changed from Asia to Europe I stopped.


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[Mr.P0rn]

I've had good luck with China. About 5 years ago i bought 15-20 cases of different sizes from Mountain Glass, and it's like Simax as far as stiffness and shocky-ness go. The largest size I had was 38, but it's straighter than SBA in the lathe, so I'd say it was really good for learning on. It also produces purple, red, and orange combs :) The chinese i bought from UST recently works pretty well, too...but i only have a couple rod sizes. It feels WAY lighter than my other chinese....kind of like how quartz feels compared to boro. All in all, I can't say i've regretted buying any of it.

[Swim]

yeah chinese is dank af

[Jackass Glass]

ive used Simax and US 33. the simax is a pleasure compared to the us33. cant say ive ever bought asian or pyrex

[Nomad]

Simax doesn’t bubble on welds with a hot small flame at all.
I turn the torch down with Asian.


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[Misfitman]

im using pyrex right now, dont see any issues with it, never had many issues with clear honestly.

[Jackass Glass]

Simax doesn’t bubble on welds with a hot small flame at all.
I turn the torch down with Asian.


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i notice this on the few asian joints i bought awhile ago. have to hold the torch way back to not scorch the asian. the us 33 or simaxd never bubbles

[PyroChixRock]

I use simax or schott.

That said, you can use china blue tube to learn heat base as it shows it very clearly.

[Jackass Glass]

I use simax or schott.

That said, you can use china blue tube to learn heat base as it shows it very clearly.

funny you mention the china cobalt. i actually foudn this when i first started... much easier to work the china blue than the simax just for even heat

[Nomad]

I love China cobalt tube and fat rods.


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[Trevor]

Solid 25mm rod of china cobalt is pretty slick for backing marbles and the like
I dont mind china clear for prodo spoons, no problems.
I woudn't use it for anything nice

[Nomad]

I use Asian clear for a lot of things.


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[Nomad]

The 25 mm cobalt rod is great.


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