Bullseye 90 COE vs System 96.

[lavachickie]

I'm an intermediate fuser (my limitation at this point is, I feel, my equipment, but I'm making connections with others to remedy that). I'm particular about my finish, so I spend a lot of time preparing, laying out, doing squeeze soaks and cold working for just the perfect result. (Perfect to me, anyway. =-) )

I've always worked with Bullseye fusible 90 coe glass. I spent some time using Moretti in the torch as well, but of course never shall the two of those meet as I think that's a 104 coe.

So I have read a lot about System 96 (which I finally figured out is a project of BOTH Spectrum and Uroboros). I've read about superior cutability, smoother sheets and both of those features, if true compared to Bullseye, sound like a dream because it would certainly mean fewer bubbles.

For those who have worked with both, what's your take? Noticeable differences? Worth switching? I have a small budget and a small studio so doing an in-depth test myself would be tough. So I thought I'd ask your thoughts!

[Brock]

Danger! Danger!
There is no topic, except perhaps politics, which is more likely to cause more trouble than this one.
Frankly, it is a personal preference, and that's it . . .

[robin g]

Very good response, Brock.

[Terry Ow-Wing]

...I've always worked with Bullseye fusible 90 coe glass. I spent some time using Moretti in the torch as well, but of course never shall the two of those meet as I think that's a 104 coe. ...

You know that you can torch bullseye also to extend your designs. You can use scrap and rod. I do it all the time. I mostly use scrap. I have not tried torching system 96).

- Terry O.

[Morganica]

You know, you can do a search in the archives and find reams (literally) of arguments on both sides of this debate. Some of it's rational and reasoned and useful, some of it's more in the nature of a religious war.

In the end, though, I think the glass of BE, Uro and Spectrum works equally well for the basic needs of most fusers. What you prefer (I think) really depends on what's important to you. My key factors are palette (both color and form), availability, level of support and technical information (well, and the price I pay, of course).

I've used Spectrum, nothing against it as a glass, but Bullseye and Uroboros 90 better suit my needs. BE's support and glass availability is unparalleled, in my experience, and that counts for a lot. Uro's got great and helpful people and some absolutely scintillating 90 colors that I think complement what I get from BE. If Spectrum offered the same level of support as BE and had incredible colors I couldn't get from either BE or Uro, I might think about switching or at least making room for 96 in the studio. As yet, though, I haven't seen anything there (for the type of work I do) that I don't already have.

[Raphael Schnepf]

I like Brock's response. I also agree with Cynthia's many good points. I have experience with all three and actually have two separate areas for working 90 and 96 glass. As a painter I love the machine rolled surface of Spectrum. It works well for avoiding bubbles also. I also love the easier cutting. Bullseye has a fabulous palette and adding Uroboros 90 coe colors can extend it even further (some would warn you about this but many people get away with it). So far the 96 palette is not as extensive but new colors and patterns are coming out all the time.

If you have a fair amount of one type you should stick with that. keep life uncomplicated.

Raf
http://www.rschnepf.com

[Lynn g]

To me, the differences I care about are the ciolor palette (I prefer BE's, but Sys 96 is expandong their offerings in interesting ways), and the texture. If very smooth glass is what you want, Sys 96 is the way to go. Be aware that regular Sys 96 is a trifle thinner than 1/8".

[Lynne Chappell]

With a small studio and limited funds, I guess you have to stick with one kind, which is a shame. Right now, I have a kiln load in that contains both. I am looking for a particular effect and am experimenting with both to see if I can get it.

Generally, once you are familiar with the colors of one glass manufacturer, that is what works best. Switching will require some new learning while you discover what it can do. I don't think the smoothness of the sheet is a big factor, either with cutting or bubbles.

[peter cummings]

Brocks suggestion as a personal choice is right on. Depends on what you are doing. I would love to get into BE colours, but bubbles and "seeds" are out for me so I keep to Sys96.
Peter.

[sandree]

I am a newbie and am trying both. I find that I gravitate to the System 96 glass. Probably because it cuts more easily and it is so nice and smooth and has clean, square edges on all sides. These things probably appeal to me because I am a newbie. But the irrid colors are definitely better in Bullseye which is a shame. I would like to stick to one kind of glass...

Sandy

[lavachickie]

Well, the reports of smooth finish and thinner sheets have me intrigued enough to give System 96 a go. Now if I can just keep things separate...=-)

[Laurie Spray]

I use both in my studio. Once you get to know the glass there is no confusion on which is which except for clear. On clear I always black marker it while it is still on my cutting table.
Although I do have seperate storing sections they often get mixed with students coming thru but there have been little problems so far.
Spectrum is slightly cheaper and the full 2 x 4 ft easy to cut sheets is a plus but not a deciding factor.
Bullseye definitely has the colors that beat all!

[Lynne Chappell]

I have no problem keeping the clears separate now that I am using Tekta clear for my Bullseye instead of the Uroboros 90 machine rolled. My problem is when I am using Uroboros 96 colours which are pretty hard to tell from Bullseye. Every piece gets labelled with felt pen and scraps are very carefully collected and stored. When I switch from one type to the other, I clean off the work surface and put any bits away that might get mixed up. It's not that hard if you are methodical. If you are one who likes to work in chaos, then you might have a few disasters with more than one kind of glass in the space.

[Havi]

Based 90 coe, do you use both Uro AND BE in the same piece???
and/or are they compatible??

Thanks,
Havi

[Raphael Schnepf]

Havi, I'm sure the folks at Bullseye would not agree but I know that many glass studios use them together with no problem. Savoy Studio, where I have worked for many years, uses them together all the time. I have never had a problem with compatibility either.

Raf
http://www.rschnepf.com

[Brock]

Don't put it on Bullseye, there have been many post here about incompatibility regarding BE and URO. If memory serves Marigold Yellow is particularly troublesome.

[AndyT]

I think it is impossible to tell the difference between Uro 90 and Uro 96. I just make a point of keeping everything seperate.

Get to know BE and Uro and you can tell the difference.

I have found support from Spectrum to be very good!

Andy

[Havi]

Don't put it on Bullseye, there have been many post here about incompatibility regarding BE and URO. If memory serves Marigold Yellow is particularly troublesome.

Thanks, Raf, Brock
- - - -
Yeah, I remeber this sort of deiscussion from the past too. However, as long as it is being discussed again, I dared repeat this question too. And if I put URO UNDER BE??
Can this work?

Thanks,
Havi

[Lani McGregor]

I really don't want to start another war on Warm Glass, but I can't bite my tongue on this one.

To keep the park tidy over here, I've made my little mess on my own blog at:

http://www.bullseyeglass.com/weblog/200 ... /#more-402

- Lani

[jacqlemon]

As a newbie to fusing - I was at the glass store and they had some fusing glass on sale - both 90 and 96. The only advise I got was not to fuse 90 to 96 and vice versa. The glass all came from different manufacturers but if they were the same coe, then I used them together. I didn't have a problem. I found the 90 and 96 to be about the same to work with. I load them all together in the kiln when it comes time to fuse. Maybe ignorance is bliss?