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Re: European-style sharp doublebacks

Posted By: Romarrk
Date: Tuesday, 19 February 2013, at 7:42 a.m.

In Response To: Re: European-style sharp doublebacks (SVP Neon Equipment)

Hello Mark!

> In the second video, he's just doing simple
> bends with a one sided gas/oxy hand torch.
> The clip states it's Pyrex.

You have to watch this video a little longer. He does doublebacks and butt-joint too.

> You can do the same things with soft glass
> and a good hot double head gas/air splicing
> hand torch. Try 15mm instead of 10mm. I
> think you will find that it is more
> controllable. Remember to keep some heat on
> the opposite side of the glass from where
> you are working. It will help keep it
> together. When you are finished with the
> bend, evenly apply heat to the entire area
> (around the circumference of both tubes) and
> then use a good, well established flame
> annealing technique. When done right, you
> should not have ANY problems with cracking.

I use single-sided air-propane torch for that. Was able to do something remotely looking like a euro square bend, but run into devitrification problem with lead-free. When heated hard enough glass turns gray. Or may be that was reducing flame?

May be a time to upgrade a hand torch. Not sure if I shall go American way with doublehead fishtail, or get euro style air/oxy handtorch. Second will be very flexible and interesting for practice but at a price of hassles and dangers of using oxy tank.

> Btw, there are other ways to make a
> "square" double back, other than
> what is shown in the videos you posted.

Which ways exactly? Can you share them? I know just a couple:

1. Cut, close ends and butt-join. Very time - consuming and adds failure points.

2. An obscure way which is described in later edition of Miller book. Starting with heating a band of glass at 45 degrees, than some twisting movement to get sharp 90 degrees bend. Readed that paragraph may be ten times, still can not decipher that maneuver. Not sure if author completely understands it himself ;-)

Messages In This Thread

• European-style sharp doublebacks -- Romarrk -- Wednesday, 30 January 2013, at 9:20 a.m.
  • Re: European-style sharp doublebacks -- SVP Neon Equipment -- Wednesday, 30 January 2013, at 12:51 p.m.
    • Re: European-style sharp doublebacks -- Romarrk -- Tuesday, 19 February 2013, at 7:42 a.m.

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