Double-flared plugs question...

Okey dokey, as many of you know, I've been working on a line of glass plugs lately. Most of what I've done so far has been simple single-flared stuff, with a design of some sort on the front end, and just a rounded off post on the back. I haven't sold these, but I've given a couple away to friends and worn them myself. They stay on with o-rings in the back.

What I'd like to do now, though, is perfect double-flared plugs, because that's where I'd eventually like to concentrate. (Among other things, because this way I won't need to worry about having plenty of o-rings in every size...) Unfortunately I don't have any of these style plugs to compare to. I'm unsure about the measurement part of it. Should the flared ends be a tiny bit bigger than the gauge I'm going for? Should the center of the piece be smaller than the gauge? I don't know whether to size them exactly in the middle and then flare them out slightly on the sides... Obviously it needs to be enough of a difference that the jewelry will stay in and not just pop out - but the ends still need to be small enough to fit through the hole in the ear, and the middle needs to be big enough that the hole doesn't shrink around it.

Any advice or links you guys could offer will be appreciated. I'm working with trial-and-error until then, but I can't try out the 2 g double-flares I've made for a couple of days, since my ears are still healing up from that last stretch.

 

Anyone? Unfortunately, it'll be a few days yet before I can try 'em on myself - I woke up yesterday to find that one of my plugs had fallen out in bed and I had to re-stretch it to get it back in... Any advice or experience you can relate will be of use!

 

www.bodypunks.com

look at plugs...trust me you'll find the kind your looking for and maybe some other really great ideas

 

With flared or saddled plugs, the ends have to be about a size larger than the middle to keep them from falling out. I stick with single flare plugs because getting double flared plugs is a pain int the ass and if the hole is too big they will just fall out all the time. If there is a notch on the rear side for the o ring to fit into snuggly, a single flare should be the way to go.

 

or find a way to make the back piece screw on and off like the ones they have on bodypinks.com

 

They have GLASS that screws on and off? I can understand how single-flared could be easier to use in a lot of ways like you said Trekker - that's all I've used and mostly all I've made so far. Honestly, I just can't afford right now to stock up on o-rings in every size so that I'll have them handy to pair up with plugs as I make them. That's what got me thinking about it, because when I start selling them I don't want to have to tell my customers "find your own o-rings".

Just to clear up any confusion, though, I'm working entirely with lampworking borosilicate glass, no metals or plastics. I work the glass while it's hot and anneal it in a kiln for structural stability. I'm not looking to buy any plugs, but just for reviews from people who've been doing this longer than me so that I can know better what to go for. Thanks for your replies!

 

yes they make glass that has screw on and off back panels..kinda cool

 

You want the flare to be one size larger than the middle of the plug. If you are making a 2g plug, the flare should be about a 0g. Double flared plugs are meant to be worn in well-established holes that are a bit loose. Single-flares are good for stretching, but double flares are good for holes that have a bit of slack.

 

Really sounds good. I am going for 00g in both ears. I thing now I'll wait untill the 00g gets a bit loose and then go for the saddles and flares. Thanks Stormyy

 

Awesome, thanks for that stormyy! I'll keep y'all updated and try to take some pics sometime of the plugs when I get more made....

 

I finally got around to putting in a set of the first ones I made yesterday, and I LOVE 'EM! I had a feeling I'd dig the double-flares. I don't like having to worry about o-rings. But I dig the "pop!" feeling when I put them in, where it's almost-but-not-quite stretching the hole. It's only been about a day and a half wearing them so far, but I really like how they feel - much less bulky, without having to leave room for a ring. It does, however, seem like I might want to get in the habit of taking them out before bed or they might start falling out (if not in the night, during wakeup sex:X)
Just thought I'd share that with all of you, I'm happy with how they're coming so far!