Search found 55 matches

by Mike Byers
Thu Apr 08, 2004 9:30 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: cutting rods
Replies: 6
Views: 7855

You could try a glass tubing cutter (about $7 from American Science and Surplus). These seem to work well for rod as well as tubing.
by Mike Byers
Thu Mar 18, 2004 9:33 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Blasting equipment feedback
Replies: 15
Views: 16388

1. A foot-controlled switch is great: definitely worth having. 2. All cabinets seem to leak, and none I've found are that comfortable to use. After a while, building your own cabinet seems to be the best option. 3. When in doubt, use a lower pressure (with a pressure pot system). I do surface etchin...
by Mike Byers
Fri Mar 05, 2004 9:34 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: gold wire for pendants?
Replies: 5
Views: 6417

I use brass and bronze fired between layers of glass now and then, and this works fine so long as the metal is not too thick. I'm not sure if a piece thick enough to form a bail would work, or if it could be polished after firing, but it's worth giving it a try. With pendants, I usually drill the gl...
by Mike Byers
Wed Mar 03, 2004 11:45 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Lo-tech devit removal
Replies: 11
Views: 15942

Bev, we're not too far apart and if you'd like to send the piece to me I can blast it and return it to you. Drop me an e-mail at corvos@ravenglass.org; mail only takes a couple of days (most of the time) between here and St. Louis.
by Mike Byers
Wed Feb 25, 2004 9:42 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Kitchen cabinet windows???
Replies: 5
Views: 6252

I've made quite a few stained glass panels for kitchen cabinet doors, but I suppose leaded stained glass has a little more "give" than a fused panel. What you might do is use something like Cascade 5/8" or 9/16" lead (the heart of this lead is high enough to accomodate 1/4" ...
by Mike Byers
Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:11 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: floral former - but bigger
Replies: 14
Views: 13833

Or a stainless cocktail shaker; I got mine for $3 from the local Target store.
by Mike Byers
Tue Feb 10, 2004 11:20 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: tac fusing L shape
Replies: 3
Views: 4998

It might be easier to make an L-shape by slumping over something like a piece of angle iron. For making more than one or two, I'd cut and weld some stainless steel to the desired shape, and then give it a good coat of shelf primer. I've made light fixtures this way, and an easy way to line the piece...
by Mike Byers
Fri Feb 06, 2004 6:47 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Melting stringers?
Replies: 15
Views: 17869

Yes, you'll get soot: that's the disadvantage of using a candle. A regular propane torch is a lot cleaner: just hold the stringer above the flame to keep it from melting too quickly.
by Mike Byers
Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:04 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: A new computer virus out there
Replies: 27
Views: 26887

Jerry: sounds like a browser hijacker rather than a virus to me. Try Spy Bot, which finds things that AdAware doesn't; if this doesn't work, download Hijack This! and run it. Hijack This! isn't particularly user friendly, but it will find things that other programs won't.
by Mike Byers
Sat Jan 17, 2004 5:05 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Slumping a cone
Replies: 6
Views: 7376

These are going to be fairly small, about four inches in diameter. I figure to roll the stainless into a cone, weld the joint and grind it smooth. Then I'll tack a small circle of stainless on for the bottom. I want an angle of around 45 degrees for the finished piece, so I'm hoping two molds (30 an...
by Mike Byers
Sat Jan 17, 2004 10:15 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Slumping a cone
Replies: 6
Views: 7376

Very nice work indeed, Marty! Since I'm looking for steeper sides than your bowls, and a flat place about 3/4" in diameter on the bottom, I was thinking that two graduated molds might be the solution. Does this sound reasonable? I'll be using borosilicate glass for this project.
by Mike Byers
Sat Jan 17, 2004 7:49 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Slumping a cone
Replies: 6
Views: 7376

Slumping a cone

A broad cone shape (the shape of a martini glass) is one of the most difficult shapes to make using a torch. Has anyone had experience with making this shape by slumping the glass into a mold?
by Mike Byers
Sat Jan 10, 2004 8:20 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Metals on pendants?
Replies: 6
Views: 7695

Try brass foil or leaf, too. This has to be capped, but the brass turns a very light brass shade; almost like a platnium color. If you visit a machine shop you can pick up spirals of brass and bronze from a lathe: clean them well and cap them with clear, and the effect is interesting. Small amounts ...
by Mike Byers
Sun Dec 21, 2003 6:51 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Signature
Replies: 13
Views: 13336

The small, conical bit that dentists used to use--my dentist told me they aren't used much these days so you can often get them from a dentist for free--work very well in a Dremel or Fordham tool. The small point makes them very controlable when signing glass.
by Mike Byers
Fri Nov 14, 2003 3:37 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: STRIP CUTTER
Replies: 22
Views: 24829

I've used a modified version of the Morton system for a number of years, and have been pleased with it. The modification consisted of using 2 large Morton surfaces (later a large alumimum grid with 1/2" holes) and a bar long enough to go all the way across the grid. I made my long bar out of a ...
by Mike Byers
Sun Nov 02, 2003 8:16 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Diamond Drill Bits and Fire Polishing
Replies: 8
Views: 9324

The "triple ripple" bits I got from HIS Glassworks seem to last forever, and even through they're more expensive than other bits I've used, it seems they're the most cost-effective in the long run. My drilling technique is similar to Tom's, except that I made my "basin" out of a ...
by Mike Byers
Sun Nov 02, 2003 8:06 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: BE Dense White
Replies: 5
Views: 5957

The BE white I've used (0113) is quite opaque, and doesn't seem to let any color, even black, show through it when it's fused on top of another color. I've never encountered any problems with this glass, but I believe it is a little harder--as in surface hardness--than other colors. From what I know...
by Mike Byers
Sat Oct 25, 2003 9:42 am
Forum: Business Topics
Topic: jewelry for guys
Replies: 22
Views: 25326

"Men also wear rings if they're big and not too bright." Are you sure about this? I was talking to a fellow at an art show last night; he was defintely wearing a ring, but was about 5'6" and claimed to be a professor at Purdue University.
by Mike Byers
Wed Oct 15, 2003 11:15 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Wasser dots
Replies: 5
Views: 6357

As I remember, the dots came in at least two sizes, around 1/8" and around 1/4". You could also get the "perforated glass" from which the dots were punched. I've still got a couple of small pieces of this left, and again I'm hoping DTI/Wasser will make this available, too. When f...
by Mike Byers
Wed Oct 15, 2003 8:49 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Wasser dots
Replies: 5
Views: 6357

The folks at DTI/Wasser tell me they're planning to make the dots again, but don't have a date for this set. Here's hoping they make the little five-pointed stars again, too.