Contemporary Warm Glass
A Guide to Fusing, Slumping, and Kiln-forming Techniques
by Brad Walker
|
Contemporary Warm Glass A Guide to Fusing, Slumping, and Kiln-forming Techniques by Brad Walker |
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
Hot glass, warm glass, and cold glass • A brief history of warm glass • Fusing, slumping, and kiln casting • Summary of warm glass processes • Basic equipment
Chapter 2: Glass types and forms 9
Compatibility and COE • Cathedrals and opalescents • Tested compatible glass • Stained glass • Iridescent glass • Dichroic glass • Float glass • Borosilicate glass • Available shapes and sizes • Sheet glass • Frit and powder • Stringers • Rods • Shards and confetti • Cullet, billets, patties, and dalle
Chapter 3: The basic fusing and slumping process 16
Heating phase • Soaking phase • Rapid cooling phase • Devitrification • Annealing phase • Cooling to room temperature phase
Chapter 4: Supplies and Equipment 21
Kilns • Kiln furniture • Kiln wash and fiber paper • Oversprays • Adhesives • Manual tools for cutting • Grinders • Glass saws • Gloves • Respirators • Polishing equipment
Chapter 5: Preparing the kiln for firing 30
Protecting the kiln floor • Mixing and applying kiln wash • When to reapply kiln wash • Using fiber paper • Placing the kiln shelf into the kiln
Chapter 6: Keeping a firing log 34
Keeping a notebook • Documenting the firing schedule • Making comments
Chapter 7: The fused coaster project 36
Designing the coaster • Cutting out the glass • Loading the kiln • Fusing the glass • Care and cleaning • Suggested coaster designs • Glass cutting tips
Chapter 8: Molds for slumping 46
Slumping versus draping • Clay • Stainless steel • Cements • Ceramic fiber, including "wet felt" • Plaster/silica • Drop rings • Found molds • Chart of types of molds • Applying kiln wash to molds • Using fiber paper with molds
Chapter 9: The fused and slumped bowl project 53
Fuse first, then slump • Designing the bowl • Cutting out the glass • Preparing and loading the kiln • Fusing the glass to form a flat "blank" • Slumping the glass to form a bowl • After the slump • Bowls, platters, and plates • Beyond the bowl
Chapter 10: Troubleshooting 66
Devitrification • Removing kiln wash • Rounding the edges • Glass cracks • Bubbles
Chapter 11: Fusing and slumping techniques 71
Combining colors • Manipulating volume • Fiber paper techniques • Using calcium carbonate (whiting) • Firing on fiberglass fabric • Inclusions • Decals • Pattern bars • Combing • Drop rings
Chapter 12: Complementary disciplines and applications 84
Stained glass • Lampworking • Sandblasting • Acid etching • Engraving • Coldworking • Furniture and lamps • Architectural applications
Chapter 13: Glass polishing 91
Fire polishing • Polishing sprays and waxes • Acid polishing • Traditional polishing process • Polishing by hand • Machine-aided polishing
Chapter 14: Finishing for display 96
Drilling holes in glass • Sandblasting • Acid etching • Display stands
Chapter 15: Compatibility testing 102
Thread pull test • Freezer test • Polarized lens test • Base glass test
Chapter 16: More about annealing 105
Review of terms • Shotgun annealing • The limitation of shotgun annealing • A confusing topic • Soak and cool annealing • Published annealing point information • Testing to find the annealing point • Determining if the piece has safely annealed
Chapter 17: Kiln casting 110
Model creation • Mold manufacturing and preparation • Using a latex master mold • The lost wax casting method • Filling the mold with glass • Casting with glass frit or chunks • Using a crucible drip • Pate de verre • Firing the casting • Annealing and cooling • Removing and cleaning the casting
Chapter 18: Glass painting 121
Traditional stained glass painting • Paints made for surfaces other than glass • Air-dried and oven cured glass paints • Glass enamels • Brush application • Application by sifting • Screen printing • Other photographic and printing techniques • Frit painting
Chapter 19: Making your own 129
Devitrification spray • Kiln wash • Iridescent glass • Frit • Stringer • Shards and confetti
Chapter 20: Health and safety 133
General precautions • Glass cutting and grinding • Kiln safety • Treating burns • Ventilation • Ceramic fiber products • Hazardous chemicals • Essential safety equipment
Chapter 21: Master Firing Schedules 137
Bullseye fusing and slumping schedule • Spectrum fusing and slumping schedule • Libensky casting schedule
List of artists and artwork 141
Resource listing 147
References 150
Index 152