Search found 1462 matches

by Brad Walker
Wed Mar 06, 2024 5:14 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Glass carving gun (abrasive blasting)
Replies: 5
Views: 128

Re: Glass carving gun (abrasive blasting)

This is a really long shot, but here goes. There used to be (maybe still is) a blasting gun made by a guy named Bob Pickard and called the PAB Blaster. His site is dead, so I don't know if he is, too. Anyway, there's another guy named Eric Robert who says he has a similar product, but his site is re...
by Brad Walker
Wed Mar 06, 2024 2:35 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Large Kiln Shelves, redux
Replies: 9
Views: 152

Re: Large Kiln Shelves, redux

My experience is with the Dyson shelves. When that company went out of business, Euclid bought the rights so I assume the shelves are similar, if not the same. At any rate, Euclid should provide you with a recommended first firing schedule, so make sure to follow that. I heated up at around 250dph, ...
by Brad Walker
Wed Mar 06, 2024 2:01 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Large Kiln Shelves, redux
Replies: 9
Views: 152

Re: Large Kiln Shelves, redux

Just be careful with the Euclid shelves. They will crack and they hold lots of heat so expect it to take longer for the kiln to cool.
by Brad Walker
Wed Mar 06, 2024 1:50 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Large Kiln Shelves, redux
Replies: 9
Views: 152

Re: Large Kiln Shelves, redux

I don't believe a "perfect, large, light-as-a-feather, excruciatingly flat, warp-proof, crack-proof kiln shelf" exists. The Euclid shelves, or anything similar, will be too heavy to move in and out of the kiln on a regular basis. And they can crack if not fired properly. Fiber shelves are ...
by Brad Walker
Wed Jan 10, 2024 10:21 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: A consistent layer of powder frit?
Replies: 5
Views: 7399

Re: A consistent layer of powder frit?

The only other option I can think of is to sift by hand. I'm not capable of doing that evenly enough, but my wife is.

If you were laying down a thick layer you could use a screed (like a straightedge) to even it out, but that won't work for a thin layer.
by Brad Walker
Wed Jan 10, 2024 5:32 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: A consistent layer of powder frit?
Replies: 5
Views: 7399

Re: A consistent layer of powder frit?

A dry screen print is probably the easiest way.
by Brad Walker
Sun Dec 31, 2023 11:33 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: NEW GLASS REVIEW
Replies: 2
Views: 7924

Re: NEW GLASS REVIEW

Havi,

Jody sent in her application a few days ago, no problem, so I'm not sure what's happening for you. You might try a different web browser, sometimes that helps. (We used Firefox.)

Also, sometimes it helps to wait a day and try again.

Hope you're staying safe.

Brad
by Brad Walker
Sat Dec 30, 2023 10:00 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: damming circles
Replies: 9
Views: 18497

Re: damming circles

danieljanse wrote: Sat Dec 30, 2023 2:30 pm I tried doing this but the paper did not want to stand on it's own. Does this work with Bullseye thin shelf or are you using a thicker variety?
Thinfire doesn't work standing up. You have to use regular fiber paper, 3mm or thicker.
by Brad Walker
Mon Dec 18, 2023 5:51 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: damming circles
Replies: 9
Views: 18497

Re: damming circles

Yes, scrap is more problematic. I would consider having a clear circle of glass as the base and build on top of that.
by Brad Walker
Mon Dec 18, 2023 9:16 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: damming circles
Replies: 9
Views: 18497

Re: damming circles

I'm not sure I'd use copper, not that strong. But you could confine the paper with nichrome (high temperature) wire instead of the posts.

Instead of posts, you could use cut up kiln shelves or kiln bricks (though the latter isn't as heavy as you'd prefer).
by Brad Walker
Sun Dec 17, 2023 10:41 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: damming circles
Replies: 9
Views: 18497

Re: damming circles

Wrap fiber paper around the circle. Two times around is best. Then hold it in place with LOTS of kiln posts.
by Brad Walker
Wed Nov 29, 2023 2:47 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Fiber Kilns- scheduling
Replies: 4
Views: 9924

Re: Fiber Kilns- scheduling

One thing I should mention. Fiber kilns do heat up faster than brick ones, but usually you're constraining the rate with your schedule, so that difference doesn't come into play. Jen-Ken says that in their fiber kilns you can heat as fast as possible without cracking the piece, but I've never tried ...
by Brad Walker
Wed Nov 29, 2023 12:23 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Amended Challenge
Replies: 88
Views: 1489936

Re: Amended Challenge

To the best of my recollection (and my memory is not what it used to be), this never happened.

I used to put on conferences and this was just prior to the one I held in Corning, NY. We did have a silent auction there, but the pieces in the auction were not the ones discussed in this thread.
by Brad Walker
Wed Nov 29, 2023 12:18 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Fiber Kilns- scheduling
Replies: 4
Views: 9924

Re: Fiber Kilns- scheduling

I've owned fiber kilns for over 15 years now. I found no significant differences in schedules.

Fiber kilns will cool a bit quicker if you have a fiber shelf, but if you have a mullite/cordierite shelf they cool at about the same rate.
by Brad Walker
Wed Nov 22, 2023 2:40 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Tile saw blade
Replies: 2
Views: 7784

Re: Tile saw blade

His Glassworks says they have them in stock: https://www.hisglassworks.com/grinding-tools/blades/fine-cut-blades/mk-215gl.html I recently purchased the MK303, which works just as well (might even cut better) from these guys: https://www.rockshed.com/product-category/lapidary-equipment/diamond-blades...
by Brad Walker
Tue Nov 21, 2023 10:35 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Alternative to Thinfire
Replies: 22
Views: 75880

Re: Alternative to Thinfire

Inhaling silica can cause silicosis. Silica is a known carcinogen. Silica increases the chance of tuberculosis, kidney disease, and more. These are chronic issues, so wear a respirator if you're around silica for any length of time. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&sou...
by Brad Walker
Sat Nov 18, 2023 11:54 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Alternative to Thinfire
Replies: 22
Views: 75880

Re: Alternative to Thinfire

And a heads up to you. Insurance companies have become nasty and will not insure homes even with completely separate buildings/sheds with kilns in them. Well that is not totally true, they will offer insurance at 3.5 times whatever rate you previously had. Make sure your installation is totally saf...
by Brad Walker
Fri Nov 17, 2023 10:32 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Alternative to Thinfire
Replies: 22
Views: 75880

Re: Alternative to Thinfire

Aluminium hydroxide is one of the ingredients in thinfire.
by Brad Walker
Fri Nov 17, 2023 3:07 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Alternative to Thinfire
Replies: 22
Views: 75880

Re: Alternative to Thinfire

No alternatives that I'm aware of. Papyros has been introduced (around 10 yrs ago), but it's a similar product. The SDS information for both products doesn't indicate that they're hazardous, only that they disintegrate into dust and should not be inhaled. Best to clean with a HEPA filter in your vac...
by Brad Walker
Mon Nov 13, 2023 9:01 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Piece cracked on slump
Replies: 2
Views: 8928

Re: Piece cracked on slump

Schedule? Mold?