Favorite tubing?

**ALIEN!** · 09-07-2010, 03:33 PM

After doing some math and discovering that Simax ISN'T ridiculously expensive after all, I am rethinking my next clear purchase. I know this has been a topic before, but the dog ain't quite dead yet. Any reason its the bomb? Any reason you hate it? I know for sure I'll never buy Pyrex again. Schott's pretty awesome, but silver is easily over-struck with it. Been a few years since I had Kimble or Simax tube.

Also, if anyone has tried this new Kimble Artistic, I'd love to hear a review.

Some of the things Im looking for in clear is a clear that treats colors well and is good for honeycombs. Been in honeycomb mode lately, and Schott is great, but not quite getting the results I want. It seems the silver strikes TOO easily, like if I do a honeycomb on a marble, it over strikes too easily and Im left with creamyness instead of blue, purple hues. Kinda opposite of Pyrex, where it takes forever and a day for it to strike.

**LTD** · 09-07-2010, 04:19 PM

Are you a price club member at Winship-Glasscraft? If not you should be!! $100 gets you fat discounts for a year.

**Mecha** · 09-07-2010, 04:22 PM

No Schott Duran on the list?

Definitely my favorite by far, although for most stuff I use simax. SBA had line problems that were supposed to be resolved. If they were, then I would switch back to that for any non scientific work for sure.

**p.j.** · 09-07-2010, 04:44 PM

i like sba. i have a case of simax from 3 years ago, and it is a little shocky in comparison to sba's workability. (i've been using sba exclusively for that time). it just comes down to what you like and what you wanna pay for. i always buy bulk from ust and have always liked the $$$$

**ALIEN!** · 09-07-2010, 04:48 PM

Didn't realize the regular Schott was still around. I never did get a tube of the BA with the lines. I did get a bunch of Chinex with line bubbles, mad ridges along the seam, that junk is definitely to be avoided. Not so much that its cracky/shockey, but the craps not very round (larger sizes) no good for goblets, and is crap for fuming. 25mm wont even snap straight, ya gotta scribe it and shock it w/ hot rod and even then the break isn't always straight.

Is there a way to add to my poll?

**ALIEN!** · 09-07-2010, 04:51 PM

D'OH, double post

**jr23** · 09-08-2010, 04:26 AM

Depends on what I am making I use a bit of everything I like the new kimble but it comes in 4 foot lengths.

If it was 5 foot tubes it would be really nice.

for 2 a pound or what ever the sale price is its nice.

**LTD** · 09-08-2010, 06:52 PM

4 footers? Why? Seems silly.

**Albino Sasquatch** · 09-08-2010, 07:38 PM

i use the china and the larger stuff has problems with bublles and unevenness anything over 38 is kinda wierd but i dont seem to have a problem with it fuming and i flame cut my pieces off the tube as i weld a handle to it so no score and snap i can always picture myslf sliping and cutting an artery or somthing anything over 19 gets cut in the flame most of the time. i use schott to i got a bunch of the 32x5 and it has the line in it. not so good for goblets but still good for pipes and tube pulls and what not

**Dom** · 09-08-2010, 07:41 PM

Simax if you want to get actual colors out of your striking colors. Ill use SBA for solid color work .

**ALIEN!** · 09-08-2010, 07:50 PM

I cut all my tubes in half, then flame cut from there, I've got a narrow bench.

**Jeffs Pieces** · 09-10-2010, 05:32 AM

I really like simax 32 mm extra heavy wall thats my standard. I also pull a million points the blow tube doesnt seem to break. I tend to pull rather than gather the glass.

**Riley** · 09-10-2010, 05:46 AM

i use schott on everything, including ground joints, bistabil and uber.

ust glass gives awesome discounts and its a pleasure doing business with them.

with that said, i seem to remember ppl having preferences as far as how well certain clears hold fuming and allow crystal growth, and i'm always down for that info.

**sacredhaze** · 09-11-2010, 06:17 AM

Well, this is a bit biased.

I have only used Simax tubing and rod. The first Simax tube I used had a small crack from shipping. The end of that one shattered in the flame.

Every other tube was smooth, straight, crack free, line free, bubble free and polished on the end. Not to mention ABR gave a 30% discount on the cases.

The only thing I am still learning though is silver fuming. I seem to have trouble with it disappearing on me. But I am a noob with silver. If you check out my thread though I just opened the kiln today and found some very classy blue with purple and cream on my i/o fumed bats. Sexy.

I think I am with Simax for life. Reasonable prices and good quality control I think.

**Master Yoda** · 09-12-2010, 11:49 AM

SBA has had some batch issues with lines and what not, but good batches are good, I never had trouble striking or getting fumes how I wanted them with it, but I have a feeling that it all comes down to personal working habits.