Search found 260 matches

by charlie holden
Wed Jan 29, 2014 2:34 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Bridge saws
Replies: 5
Views: 8824

Re: Bridge saws

I have an MK 212 with a 36 inch span and a 10 inch blade. It's great for long cuts on thin pieces, not so great for cutting odd angles and depths -- like cutting the neck off a curvy blown piece. My only complaint is that when I bought it they advertised that it had a 3 inch deep cut, which is not t...
by charlie holden
Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:23 pm
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Ann Robinson video
Replies: 5
Views: 9817

Ann Robinson video

Here's a nice little video about Ann Robinson -- http://vimeo.com/74539795 Highlights: her new work from last summer; high quality, computer generated, rubber molds with fiberglass shells used to make wax models; various shop shots; she has a large opening in the upper part of her kiln through which...
by charlie holden
Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:15 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: plaster water ratio
Replies: 2
Views: 4470

Mixes based on volume are not accurate since a given volume of dry powder may be firmly packed or lightly packed. If you don't have a scale just pour the dry mix into the water untill it peaks, let it slake for 5 minutes then mix.

ch
by charlie holden
Fri Apr 16, 2004 9:42 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: BIG Adhesive Question
Replies: 13
Views: 14895

I've heard a different story about the big Chihuly stuff. From what I understand, the big, exposed towers and chandeliers were originally glass with a plastic coating on the inside. More recently they have been blown from plastic. The huge, blue towers that sit on the bridge over the freeway at the ...
by charlie holden
Fri Apr 16, 2004 9:27 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: stainless steel question
Replies: 21
Views: 31925

Charlie-I did a sink with a 30" diameter using 16 guage stainless, and did not stiffen it on the sides. Propped it up on bricks, washed it down well, and it worked beautifully. I have not used that form enough to know if warping will be a short term problem, but my experience with flat stainle...
by charlie holden
Thu Apr 15, 2004 9:55 am
Forum: Business Topics
Topic: Looking for coffee tables
Replies: 9
Views: 15006

Why don't you cast a couple of big, thick Egyptian relief tiles to use as table stands. You would have to come up with an imaginative way to tie them together with a cross bar.

Look up Seth Randal for inspiration on Egyptian themes.

ch
by charlie holden
Thu Apr 15, 2004 9:39 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: I can´t stand ignoring it...tin side... again...
Replies: 16
Views: 25064

Stamp collectors use UV lights to authenticate stamps. Many stamp and coin stores sell them. US stamps glow under shortwave uv. Other country's stamps glow under longwave uv. This page goes into tin side detection pretty thoroughly: http://www.edtm.com/TS1300-1.htm You should wear safety glasses whe...
by charlie holden
Wed Apr 14, 2004 11:20 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: stainless steel question
Replies: 21
Views: 31925

I use stainless rings for drop outs all the time. Mine are rings cut out of flat stainless sheet with rims from 2" to 5" wide, (from interior of the ring to outside edge.) My largest has an interior opening of around 27" diameter and outside dimension of 36" diameter. They are no...
by charlie holden
Mon Apr 12, 2004 5:21 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: making animals stand
Replies: 3
Views: 6374

Newy Fagan dresses in protective gear, reaches into her kiln and bends the legs of her horses while they are still hot.

ch
by charlie holden
Mon Apr 12, 2004 5:08 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: repair help for Mdina fused piece
Replies: 4
Views: 6703

This sounds really hard to me. I wouldn't even attempt it. I have taken broken pieces with sentimental value and re-fused them into completely different shapes. It is safer when the client understands that the piece will look like a new piece. Almost all clear epoxies will yellow. Cheap ones will ye...
by charlie holden
Sun Apr 11, 2004 11:28 am
Forum: Business Topics
Topic: "Collectors' Discount"
Replies: 30
Views: 58643

It is one thing to say you won't give a discount, or the gallery should but you won't, and it is quite another to stand up to an established, insistent gallery owner. You want that owner to want to sell your work. Most of us, (I, for sure), should be so lucky. Like it or not it has become a standard...
by charlie holden
Sat Apr 10, 2004 7:51 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: any experienced deviter lobbying with a spare minut read me
Replies: 5
Views: 9936

I have not actually done this but I understand that if you mix some whiting in water and paint it on your glass, then soak at a high temperature for a couple of hours you will get plenty of devit. Devit likes to grow on dust and the whiting provides just that. Cool slowly from 1450 to 1300 F and it ...
by charlie holden
Thu Apr 08, 2004 10:32 pm
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Re: cracks after firing
Replies: 7
Views: 9522

An extra inch of frax insulation might be enough. To be sure you could raise the frax off the floor and use it like a kiln shelf.

ch
by charlie holden
Thu Apr 08, 2004 2:10 pm
Forum: Business Topics
Topic: "Collectors' Discount"
Replies: 30
Views: 58643

On the flip side, do you have a section of your cv that has a Collections heading? They use you, you use them. There is a certain rock and roll star that has an apartment in my city who collects glass and photography. There are at least a couple of articles a year, in the regional papers and magazin...
by charlie holden
Thu Apr 08, 2004 1:48 pm
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Sand casting question
Replies: 13
Views: 22195

Hi, I have only done sand casting in molds, with a crucible drip. I'd like to try doing hot pours from the crucible. We had used an acetalyne torch to prep the sand- I am intrigued by the notion that you can sift bentonite or kaolin instead. (I don't have a torch, besides a hand held Mapp). Can you...
by charlie holden
Thu Apr 08, 2004 1:33 pm
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Re: cracks after firing
Replies: 7
Views: 9522

What Jerry said. Get air under the glass. How much insulation is in the floor of you kiln? To fire this thick and broad a piece directly on your floor you need either lots of insulation or lots of mass, so the floor cools more slowly than the interior of the kiln. Think of it in terms of; heat is al...
by charlie holden
Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:42 pm
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Sand casting question
Replies: 13
Views: 22195

I've sand cast with Bullseye and it does fine soaking at 1500 F for an hour. I'm using a sifting of kaolin as a release on top of the sand. My sand mix is about 50% 120 olivine sand, 30% silica sand, 20% plaster.

ch
by charlie holden
Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:29 pm
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Gaffer 300 Opaline: Have I shot myself in the foot?
Replies: 2
Views: 6056

Wouldn't be the first time. The way I read it the frit might cast (actually more like fuse) opaline but the billet is going to cast dense white.

ch
by charlie holden
Sat Apr 03, 2004 7:55 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: How perfect are you?
Replies: 22
Views: 34811

It's hand made I tell 'em. They're paying extra for the off bits. I count myself lucky that I'm not a perfectionist by a long shot. I wouldn't attempt something as precise as your irid bowls.

I don't let anything structural go, that's for sure.

ch
by charlie holden
Sat Apr 03, 2004 7:46 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: John Reyntiens and Pilchuk
Replies: 7
Views: 9518

Janusz's (?) class will be both hot and kiln casting. I wouldn't be surprised if they have a hot casting session every day. Catherine, you're going to be toasted. Do it Kathie. John's a great guy. You'll want to go back every summer. You'll gain connections and friends in the UK, the US and many oth...