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Thread: Low cost lampwork training alternative.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
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    111

    Default Low cost lampwork training alternative.

    Because I am currently not able to afford the setup for proper lampwork, I thought I'd have a go at a low cost alternative - and the results are Amazing!

    As I can't melt glass I looked around for an affordable alternative and found one at my local DIY store - Hot Melt Glue!

    Apart from the temperature differences it behaves EXACTLY like glass!

    Here's a shot from my 3rd attempt - (my first and second attempts got a bit stuck together - it is glue after all!)



    Once up to temperature, the hot melt glue stick transforms into a glassy, fluid state which can be readily transferred on to almost any available substrate - but you need to be careful as the drips are VERY hot - as I found out by accident. I used twisted copper wire.

    This is the result - I call this piece 'Umbilical union by DNA' - as it mirrors the feelings I had for my firstborn son who had a difficult delivery, and contains the double helical spiral so reminiscent of the ground breaking work performed in 1953 by James D. Watson and Francis Crick who proposed what is now accepted as the first correct double-helix model of DNA structure in the journal Nature



    All you need is a hand torch and some sticks of Hot Melt glue - plus talent and a little patience - Go for it!

  2. #2
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    You're a day early, Dave.

  3. #3
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    Aug 2009
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    Default

    Interesting way of recreating and practicing lampwork techniques Dave and I reckon if somebody can sell jewellery made from cannibalised Barbie dolls, then it might take off. :-)

    Are there any more health and safety aspects to consider - toxic fumes for example?

  4. #4
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    South Wales
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    Thanks Dave, I've wanted to try lampwork for a while now, but really couldn't justify the set up cost. I'm just off to B&Q to get some hot melt glue.

    Alan, I take what you mean about H&S, so am thinking about one of these.

    Chemical Protection Suit, Gas mask suits and supply Tychem BR 400 from Approved Gas Masks
    Jane,
    (although I quite like Sunny!)

  5. #5
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    Aug 2009
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    Birmingham, UK
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    Ah yes! The 'BR400 Flat Back Rear Entry' always a popular choice in certain fields

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by geti-titanium View Post
    Are there any more health and safety aspects to consider - toxic fumes for example?
    Now that you mention it, we probably need to perform some appropriate testing. Well volunteered, Alan!

  7. #7
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    South Wales
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    Dave, sorry, I didn't mean to wander off the thread into protective clothing, so if people want to discuss such items maybe we should start a new thread and leave this one to low cost lampwork alternatives.
    Jane,
    (although I quite like Sunny!)

  8. #8
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    Aug 2009
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    Masham, North Yorkshire
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    Totally inspirational, Dave. I can feel the emotions.

  9. #9
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    Your genius knows no bounds Biggie !

  10. #10
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    Barnstaple, Devon, United Kingdom
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    Dave, I love the way you manage to express such profound emotions in your work - you're an example to us all.
    Di x

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