Wednesday 21 May 2008

Silence is Golden!

I did it! I finally got everything set up and yesterday I lit my mega minor for the first time. It seemed there were so many things to do and remember at first, but now I'm understanding the equipment a bit more.

I was a little intimidated by the whole set-up process and did my usual scouring of the web for info that might help. I did find some useful things out there and will share these links with you -

Torch, Gas, Hose, Regulator info from Dale Meisenheimer click here

Regulator info (oxy and fuel) also by Dale Meisenheimer click here

Setting up a minor/oxycon/propane combo click here

And a Youtube video on turning on and off an oxy/propane torch here

Setting your flame click here

Thanks to everyone who is gracious to share their knowledge and help us learn!

Another link that is useful, but more so BEFORE you buy your torch and oxycon is Artistry in Glass' Unlimited Oxygen Concentrator Chart - click here . It will help make sure you get the right concentrator for your torch.

So - I managed to get everything set up, tested for leaks - none! Alright!!

I have one word to say -

POOP!

It's a good thing to say to yourself when you are turning on or off an oxy/propane torch. When you light it the order is Propane, Oxygen. When you turn it off the order is Oxygen, Propane.

Here's the order in which I do things - if you are just learning, don't take my word for it, read, research, ask questions! So much of lampworking/flameworking is about what YOU are comfortable with safety wise - so be knowledgeable and BE SAFE!

Turning ON

  1. Make sure my ventilation is good.

  2. Open oxygen knob on torch.

  3. Turn on oxycon - it should run for a short while before beginning to torch, and should not be run with the oxygen knob closed on the toch

  4. Turn on gas tank

  5. Open fuel knob on torch

  6. Set pressure at regulator

  7. Turn off fuel knob on torch

  8. Turn off oxygen knob while I light torch (turning on fuel of course!)

  9. Turn oxy back on and set the flame

  10. HAVE FUN!


Turning OFF

  1. Turn off oxy at torch

  2. Turn off propane at torch (no flame present after this step)

  3. Turn oxy back on

  4. Turn off oxycon and let pressure drop to zero

  5. Turn off propane at tank

  6. Turn on propane at torch

  7. Let pressures drop to zero on regulator

  8. Turn off propane knob at torch


I tend to leave the oxy knob on the torch open so that I won't inadvertently turn on the oxycon with the knob closed.

That's the way I do it, hopefully I've learned right and hopefully if you read this and see that I'm doing some step wrong you'll let me know!

Just to prove I really did light it -

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And yes... Silence is Golden! Ahhhhh, my trusty hot head has served me well, I've learned a lot with it and won't be getting rid of it, but I have to confess my Mega Minor has stolen my heart! So peaceful and quiet after the roar of the hh, and such a gentle flame - more like a gentle stream than the pounding Niagara my little hh puts out. And heat! I see things melting the way they are supposed to!

Wednesday 14 May 2008

Mega Minor setback..

Sooo yesterday morning I rose and decided that I was going to get everything hooked up and pluck up my best courage to light my new torch.

First things first I had to hook up the regulator and check the lines for leaks. Wouldn't you know the end of the hose at the regulator was bubbling when I put gas leak detector on it. Gaaha!

I took it apart, inspected both ends, put it back on, tightened it as much as I could and tried again -- more bubbles!

At some point in the morning a lightening bolt hit me and I decided to try the other end of the hose on the regulator - aha! no bubbles! but now the bubbles were appearing at the torch end. That told me that there was a problem with that connector on the hose.

I had to go out yesterday and was going near a BOC Gasses welding supply, so took along my regulator and hose. I was a bit nervous going in there because I felt like I was entering The Man's Domain - probably silly, but I just felt like it was a place that men belong, not women -- something like the beer store!! ;o) (my mum taught me THAT one!)

I explained my problem to the guy behind the counter, he listened attentively, said nothing, picked up the hose and examined the connector, and then without a word took some big clippers and snipped the end right off my brand new hose! I felt a shudder of loss run through my body as the connector fell to the counter. Then he put a new connector on and disappeared out back to check it, still without more than a couple of words. A guy next to me jokingly said something about finding the hose is too short now, which was kind of funny seeing as it's a loooong hose and I lost about 1/2 inch off the end. Mr. Silent returned, wiping gas leak detector from hose and regulator and became a bit more vocal. He told me everything was good to go! At that point I managed to pluck up courage and ask him about stainless steel tig rods (which apparently make good mandrels at a lower price than the pre-packaged ones). He went to show me what sizes they have and explained that they sell them by the kilogram. I asked if he was able to cut them - he tried one, but it wasn't exactly an easy thing - I think you'd need muscles to do it the way he did. He then gave me one to take home and try.

When I asked him how much for the connector - he told me 'nothing, no charge!' What a nice guy! I told him that he'd made my day and left The Mans Domain a very happy woman!

Monday 12 May 2008

It's all happening here!

Yesterday I got the MY kiln set up :o)

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Doesn't it look all shiny and new. I have it resting on a patio stone and then on the fireproof bricks that were supplied. You can also see that I have the brick fitted into the bead door hole. I found a thread on the Wet Canvas glass forum that helped me understand the programming, which can be a complicated process for beginners and I was all set to go! Except I had to wait for Jane to arrive, she was part of the inaugural first firing party, I think even DH was a little excited. We did a countdown from 10 and I flicked the switch - woohoo, it did what a kiln is supposed to do and started heating up. I was stupidly thinking the temperature would skyrocket in there, which of course is just what annealing does not do, the kiln temperature rises very slowly so as not to shock the glass. It was exciting to see the digits creeping up and I began to realise how clever the controller is to be able to take charge of not only the temperature of the kiln, but also the speed at which it heats and cools, and how long it holds at a particular temperature. I was also expecting the room to get hot and for everything to smell bad but neither of those things happened so I was quite a happy camper.

It was bedtime before things were finished so I had to wait until this morning to check the insides

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First load was fuglies, just in case something went wrong. I'm happy to report that every bead survived intact - how exciting :o)

Earlier in the afternoon I had heard a huge truck rumbling down our sleepy little street and jumped up to see it was the delivery company with the rest of my equipment!!!

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I tell you - a girl could get used to having deliveries like this! The bottom box is the MY oxygen generator and the top box includes MY shiny red torch, hoses etc. and a few rods of glass.

I haven't had time to take pictures of that yet, but I can tell you that by the time I'd unpacked it all I was feeling quite delirious with all the excitement and almost contemplated hooking myself up to the generator for a dose of oxygen!

Sunday 11 May 2008

Here it is! - Unpacking a JenKen B3K

After looking at the box for a while - feeling (I imagine) like someone who'd just had a ufo land on their dining table - I plucked up courage to see what was inside -

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Ahhh - chipits!

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Aaaah! Another box!

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Aaah! A secret dossier!

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Oh! I feel like I've just aquired a new family member! Time to take a break and see what it says..

Well, between outlet types, grounded and ungrounded, wiring types, fuse types, where and how to position the kiln, I'm absolutely terrified and need to take a break!

Here's what else came in my box - I imagine you can expect the same if you order a Jenken B3K with a bead door.

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A bag of kiln wash and some kiln furniture (can't you just imaging the kiln fairies lounging on that ;o) )

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Three fire bricks to stand under the kiln. A word about these firebricks, they are VERY soft, almost chalk-like and need to be handled with care so's not to damage them.

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A kiln shelf and a firebrick to put in place of the bead door for batch annealing (helps to keep more heat in the kiln)

On with the unpacking - since the kiln is so heavy I figured the easiest way to remove it from the box was

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I realised it might make a bit of a mess

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Oh well... it was all worth it, I guess I was so excited I didn't even think to take the wrapping off the kiln, so I'll have to take a better picture of it later.

TaDAAAA!


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Today I'm hoping to get it set up and prepare it by painting on the kiln wash. I needed a paving slab and managed to borrow one from Jane, but I think I have everything I need now - more to come!


Thursday 8 May 2008

IT's COMING!!!

It's official!!! Yesterday I got an email -

  • Your order is being shipped to you either today or tomorrow. The kiln will be coming via Apex Truck from the supplier, and the concentrator and other supplies were shipped from our store via Apex Truck.


Oh my! Now what am I going to do when it arrives! I'll be in a state of panic for sure, it'll be like starting all over again! I'll probably sit and look at everything for a week before I pluck up courage to actually hook up and turn on!


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(no, it's not me, but it's all I could come up with on short notice, and I laughed because he does look a little like a slightly older version of daughter #1's goofy boyfriend)
Wouldn't you know it, I have to be out for the best part of today, so I hope they call ahead before they try and deliver!

Wednesday 7 May 2008

Today's Picks

Here are some dot beads I've made over the last week or so.  There should be a name for a group of dot beads, I've always been partial to a 'mischief of rats' and a 'murder of ravens' - not sure about dots. .   a blizzard of dots?  Nahh - have you got a better idea?

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Tuesday 6 May 2008

SURPRISE!!!!! pt 2

I was supposed to take pictures of beads yesterday, but I didn't - SURPRISE!! I'm going to blame it on the fact that we are having some house repairs done and my torching area was pulled to pieces... yes.. that' s the reason. I shall blame it all on the Baron of Brockville (our friendly home improvement guy)!

So instead of pictures of stunning glass, glistening with silver, sparkling in the sun, I give you my mum :o)

Just to prove she does look like Lizzy -

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Ooops! Sorry! That is her Master of Disguise Surprise portrait! Let me try again -

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There, that's better! Just to prove the likeness, I'll let you know she was attending a garden party when this photo was snapped by some paparazzi.

Sources are telling me that it's possible the entire population of our old neighbourhood may attend the SURPRISE! I'm booking my tickets today and intend on being away for the whole of that weekend!

If none of this makes any sense to you, it's because you haven't read THIS POST

On a happier note, I am extremely relieved to report that 007 has survived to live another day and tell another tale, whew!!

Monday 5 May 2008

A bad way to start the day

Tuesday, sun's up, skies blue, teas hot and steamy what more could I ask for.

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I check my favourite blogs for updates, YES! Something good and uplifting to read to start the day.

Wait a minute, this isn't good or uplifting. . .

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Surely this can't be 007 - primate of my dreams, shackled and hanging upside down over a river of torpid pollution???? Surely that is not DUCT TAPE over his sweet monkee mouth??

AAAK! I read on. . worse still is the torture that follows, both for 007 and I - as we are both left in a state of pure panic not knowing what the outcome of this horrible turn of events will be!!

For a really fun read check out Monkeemaker's blog I 'borrowed' the picture from her and hope she won't mind too much ;o)

Tools. . .

Flaming Hot's subject of the week is TOOLS.

This leaves me wondering why two out of three of their automatically generated links as 'possibly related items' are for men.style.com - is there a connection? You tell me!

Since I don't have a disposable income I am tool deprived. I've never used a glass press in my life, I read of people spending $100's on gizmo's to put silver core's in beads and dream of hollow mandrels, stump shapers and electroforming kits. How does that song go - ' All these things when I am King would all appear around me '.

However, since I'm tool-less (well not entirely, I do have several dental implements, and a couple of marvers, an old knife and some tweezers), since I am short on tools, maybe, just maybe I will be quicker to understand shaping glass with heat and gravity.

They do say it's a bad workman that blames his tools, does that have any bearing on this?

Sunday 4 May 2008

SURPRISE!!!!!

This month is my


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yes, birthday.


I'm not much of one for birthdays since I turned 21, or one for surprises in general really.


HOWEVER, my dear mum


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OK, so it's not really a picture of my mum, since we switched PC's I don't have any digital ones handy so this will have to do until I post a real one - you'll see there actually is quite a resemblance and they are both British afterall!


Back to the story.. my dear mum still believes that birthdays, like Christmas, should involve SURPRISE!!

Last month was daughter #1's birthday and mum wanted to SURPRISE her with a birthday get-together. It sounds like a wonderful idea, except she was upset when I pointed out that in order for daughter #1 to be able to attend her SURPRISE, I needed to ask her point blank what her schedule was, not to mention that every time a family member has a birthday we have a get-together so they have become rather less SURPRISE-ing!!

Back to the story....

My dear mum is planning a SURPRISE for my birthday. She has spoken to daughter #1, because she is closest to her geographically, she's told her something (don't forget, it's a SURPRISE - so I don't know what), but it did involve daughter #1 relaying information to dear husband to ensure his involvement. And I'm pretty sure there is cake involved. . .

Now it might be, that certain things might not get relayed in quite the way they should by daughter #1, so while dear mum was visiting at the weekend she hauled dear husband aside to make sure he was up to speed with the fact that this is a SURPRISE.

That was Saturday, yesterday evening (Sunday), I had a call from daughter #2 who lives in Newfoundland. Nothing out of the ordinary there, she calls me often. -- But doesn't always ask to speak to dear husband. Hmmmm..... curious....

When the call was over I tricked him into telling me what she wanted. Turns out my dear mum had called daughter #2, who is approximately 1303.8 miles away and won't even be attending the SURPRISE, and asked her to speak to dear husband just to make sure that things were going as planned.

Me? I'm planning a trip... since I'm unaware of the whole thing!

Won't they be SURPRISEd!!!