Fusing 104 COE rods

[AmySkewed]

HI Everyone,

I have a friend who does lampwork and we are trying to figure out what to do with all the short leftovers she has. I would like to fuse them into a platter, but am struggling with finding both a schedule and insuring compatibility. I realize that 104 needs less heat than 90, but I seem to have pieces that are cracking on the way down more often. I slowed down my schedule and while the results are getting better I still get far more cracking than I would expect with 90.
From a compatibility standpoint I feel like 104 is not necessarily compatible with other 104. I realize that 90 and 96 are tested for compatibility... are other COEs really just an approximation?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

[The Hobbyist]

I'm surprised she doesn't just attach the short(s) to the end of a clear rod. That's what I do. There will always be a very small amount left that will be wasted.

Jim

[Stephen Richard]

HI Everyone,

I have a friend who does lampwork and we are trying to figure out what to do with all the short leftovers she has. I would like to fuse them into a platter, but am struggling with finding both a schedule and insuring compatibility. I realize that 104 needs less heat than 90, but I seem to have pieces that are cracking on the way down more often. I slowed down my schedule and while the results are getting better I still get far more cracking than I would expect with 90.
From a compatibility standpoint I feel like 104 is not necessarily compatible with other 104. I realize that 90 and 96 are tested for compatibility... are other COEs really just an approximation?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

CoE does not equal compatibility. It has been mentioned many times on this list.
This http://glasstips.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/coe.html is a brief note. The Bullseye site, education section has a much fuller discussion.
As spherical things can withstand much more stress than flat ones, compatibility is not such a big problem for lampworkers.
It seems you should undertake some compatibility tests on these pieces. http://glasstips.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08 ... tests.html