Search found 23 matches

by tonyroberts
Fri Nov 20, 2015 3:25 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: architectural glass mounting ... rubber/epoxy?
Replies: 5
Views: 8494

Re: architectural glass mounting ... rubber/epoxy?

Thanks.... but no, this stuff is two-three inches deep, more like the dimensions of the concrete in modern architectural stained glass panels.

??? Tony
by tonyroberts
Fri Nov 20, 2015 9:31 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: architectural glass mounting ... rubber/epoxy?
Replies: 5
Views: 8494

architectural glass mounting ... rubber/epoxy?

Hi all... good to see you all still here! I wish to mount thick cast glass - like dalles, but glass cast and stained in my kilns, 15-25mm thick - in a resilient framework, able to withstand occasional vibration. The Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral has its acres of glass set in a sort of black rubbe...
by tonyroberts
Sat Oct 12, 2013 3:40 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Vandal-proofing panels
Replies: 3
Views: 4986

Re: Vandal-proofing panels

Thanks for the sympathetic comments! Someone suggested I remake the n panels with sacrificial outer layers - which is what I've suggested to the client: we'll see!

Tony
by tonyroberts
Tue Oct 01, 2013 7:24 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: old timers survey
Replies: 11
Views: 12538

Re: old timers survey

I still cast in a controller-less 1930s ceramic kiln. I use a biggish investment complete with glass reservoir. Heat to 850C (orange) afap, hold for a few hours, and turn off. Crack open to drop to around 550C, close up tight, throw over a blanket, and leave until cold - about 5 days. If its a lost-...
by tonyroberts
Tue Oct 01, 2013 5:51 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Vandal-proofing panels
Replies: 3
Views: 4986

Vandal-proofing panels

A couple of years ago I made signage panels for a park in Liverpool, uk. Vandalism was a concern, obviously, so I laminated the required coloured glass panels between 10mm float sheets (not toughened), coated with PET anti-shatter, and the whole in a laser-cut stainless steel envelope. Now two have ...
by tonyroberts
Mon May 06, 2013 5:00 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: float tin side
Replies: 4
Views: 5114

Re: float tin side

Thanks Richard, bert. The casts I was making (they're done and delivered now) were formed from three layers of 10mm glass over an area about A1. A 6-day firing. Experimenting, I cast a stack this high, tin side down, over a new silica plaster mould embedded in a much-used talc and sand bed, all damm...
by tonyroberts
Sun May 05, 2013 7:20 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Boiled Glass Idea
Replies: 3
Views: 5905

Re: Boiled Glass Idea

Completely molten glass naturally flattens out to around 6mm. At the edge of your mould there will be very little spreading tendency, so you may get nicely rounded edges - however, the glass may not be very keen to move into the corners of your mould, so I'd give it plenty of time: say, soak 60 minu...
by tonyroberts
Sun May 05, 2013 6:58 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Wall Sconce
Replies: 3
Views: 4114

Re: Wall Sconce

I know it's not warm glass, but I have here four once boring, now lovely wall-lights decorated with adhesive coloured film....
by tonyroberts
Sun May 05, 2013 6:35 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: float tin side
Replies: 4
Views: 5114

float tin side

Does anyone know if Pilkingtons have changed their liquid metal ('tin') for floating their glass? My last two batches of Optifloat have fired with a distinct brown tinge. Multiple layers are coming out unpleasantly opaque. It's not much, but definitely there. It's most noticable where the tin side i...
by tonyroberts
Mon Dec 10, 2012 11:11 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: AGC plannibel glass
Replies: 6
Views: 6595

Re: AGC plannibel glass

Your figures are curious, bert. I anneal pilkingtons optifloat between 570C and 510C, and work on a CoE of 83. For Optiwhite (low iron) I give a slightly wider range. Obviously different floats are different... But has no-one used this new stuff? I think I shall avoid it, too risky. There are plenty...
by tonyroberts
Mon Dec 10, 2012 4:29 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Shock from kiln
Replies: 16
Views: 17248

Re: Shock from kiln

You're right, bert. We have 220V on one line - called 'live' - and zero on the other - called 'neutral'. But this isn't relevant from a safety point of view, as both lines are normally disconnected when the kiln is switched off. Although there should be no current on the neutral line, there often is...
by tonyroberts
Mon Dec 10, 2012 3:36 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: rigidizing fiber blanket
Replies: 9
Views: 9783

Re: rigidizing fiber blanket

I do agree with Bert, though--rigidizing is probably more of a pain than it's worth unless you need an unusual, repeatable shape for many firings. I've never rigidized at all, but have wondered about doing it to extend a mould's life. My fibre moulds last just one to three firing usually. If I rigi...
by tonyroberts
Mon Dec 10, 2012 3:26 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Shock from kiln
Replies: 16
Views: 17248

Re: Shock from kiln

Wow, Bert, really? You will also get a shock if you touch an element and ground when the kiln is plugged in but not turned on. That is supposed to happen. There is a way to wire a kiln so this does not happen, but I have rarely seen it used. It sure doesn't happen over here in the UK. We must use a ...
by tonyroberts
Mon Dec 10, 2012 3:18 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: AGC plannibel glass
Replies: 6
Views: 6595

AGC plannibel glass

Hi For years I've been using Pilkington optifloat supplied by Pearsons in Liverpool. Today, Pearsons told me they no longer deal with Pilkingtons, but are selling glass from AGC called Plannibel. So I killed the delivery that they were about to send until they can tell me how this glass behaves. Pea...
by tonyroberts
Tue Nov 13, 2012 6:19 pm
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Thick casting
Replies: 10
Views: 11697

Re: Thick casting

Sorry Rick, brain overload... I don't get 30mm float either. These panels need to be 30mm: I shall probably use 2x15mm or 3x10mm sheets to make them.

I just searched, and see up to 32mm being advertised... see http://www.newportglass.com/float.htm...???

Tony
by tonyroberts
Tue Nov 13, 2012 10:51 am
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Thick casting
Replies: 10
Views: 11697

Thick casting

I have to make a number of large (approx 700x600x30mm) slabs containing a logo. The client wants a 'just poured' look to the edges - he's seen my 10mm glass slabs which have a very free rounded edge. However, I think 30mm thick slabs will require damming else they'll just run away. Has anyone any id...
by tonyroberts
Tue Nov 13, 2012 10:32 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Building outdoor screen - Epoxy - sources?
Replies: 8
Views: 12435

Re: Building outdoor screen - Epoxy - sources?

Thanks for the responses... from which I found that Key resins ( www.keyresin.com: Key #116 Slab Glass Epoxy) make the stuff I've seen, and have emailed them. I shall watch the heat issue, thanks Bert. I wondered about silicone too... the cost is high... it's my fallback. I hear that cement isn't ad...
by tonyroberts
Mon Nov 12, 2012 4:40 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Casting bronze with Glass
Replies: 7
Views: 9690

Re: Casting bronze with Glass

I've seen a glass casting by Keith Cummings which appeared to be glass with a very high metal content, enough to enable the metal content to be polished. He has examples and a general discussion in his book 'Techniques of Kiln-formed Glass' (pages 95-98). I've long included bronze in my cast stained...
by tonyroberts
Mon Nov 12, 2012 2:59 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Building outdoor screen - Epoxy - sources?
Replies: 8
Views: 12435

Building outdoor screen - Epoxy - sources?

After an age of making sculptural cast glass, I have LOADS of reject pieces, some large, many wonderfully coloured... so have decided to use them to create an outdoor screen. I intend then to set these pieces as a chaos of elements into panels approx 48x12x1", formed from black epoxy, presumabl...
by tonyroberts
Fri Oct 05, 2012 1:26 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Custom decals
Replies: 6
Views: 7444

Re: Custom decals

I used a fair number of decals for an exhibition three years back. I had them printed in the UK, for about $10 for an A3 sheet. They were not as good as I intended, but OK: no stretching, cracking, or distortion at all, but the images were not vibrant - they looked cool and grey. I thought I may hav...