Search found 20 matches

by BillBrach
Tue Apr 13, 2004 8:37 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: buying (slightly) used jen ken -- your $.02??
Replies: 7
Views: 9553

Marla, This seems like overkill for a first kiln, but on the other hand, you know you will never have to replace it for lack of size. One of the things you NEED to investigate before buying this kiln is if you have enough power or breaker panel space, to be able to run it. According to the Jn-Ken pa...
by BillBrach
Fri Apr 09, 2004 3:29 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: a hole in one!
Replies: 14
Views: 17052

Lynn, If you can find the smaller diameter (about 1/16") bamboo skewers, use them instead of toothpicks. The problem with toothpicks is that are not the same diameter, end to end, so placement in the glass is critical. Take the skewer and cut into pieces 2 to 2 1/2" long. Take a craft knif...
by BillBrach
Thu Apr 08, 2004 8:37 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: a hole in one!
Replies: 14
Views: 17052

There are a couple more methods that might work for you, especially if you don't like the square holes that fiber paper gives you. 1. Toothpicks dipped in a THICK mixture of kiln wash. Place these like you would the fiber paper. Ventilate the kiln ever so slightly to allow the fumes from the toothpi...
by BillBrach
Tue Mar 30, 2004 3:47 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Ceramic 2/4 hole tubing
Replies: 1
Views: 3006

Ceramic 2/4 hole tubing

I'm wanting to add a different thermocouple to my kiln and I need some of the ceramic tubing that the TC wire is passed thru, into the kiln. Does anybody know of a reasonable source for these ?? Ideally, I'd like 4 hole, as I might add a seperate TC for an overtemp alarm. I've seen them made of mull...
by BillBrach
Sat Mar 27, 2004 9:46 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: black magic
Replies: 13
Views: 12161

Stuart, I hate to disagree with you, but "Back Magic" does work for me. Granted, it does NOT perform "magic" on your glass, but it definately adds gloss to whatever is there. On some pieces I've done with it, it is very shiny, on others only a little extra shine. If the surface i...
by BillBrach
Sat Mar 27, 2004 6:28 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: black magic
Replies: 13
Views: 12161

Judy,

It will add shine to a piece and nothing else. It will NOT remove texture on the back of pieces.

I usually run to 1000 or so, to make sure it melted. Just like "Spray A", make sure the glass is clean before you apply it.

Bill
by BillBrach
Fri Mar 19, 2004 9:32 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Criticism
Replies: 65
Views: 75764

Brock, I agree, it seems every item photo uploaded gets rave reviews. I just left a forum where this was the norm. Frankly, on that other forum I could have posted a pile of cat sh*t and somebody would have asked me when I was going to put it on eBay. But, to answer your question, critisim is due wh...
by BillBrach
Wed Mar 17, 2004 8:39 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: 12 Key Orton Digital W/Pyro or Bartlett 12 Key Digital ???
Replies: 12
Views: 11695

Al - I have the 3 key Sentry Xpress controller on my Paragon Caldera. The way I handle the Add Time / Add temp is to make both (or either) of these longer/hotter than I think I'll need. Usually it is the Time that is in question when making a piece and not the temp. So, if I think it will take 30 mi...
by BillBrach
Mon Mar 15, 2004 7:54 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Annealing Issue
Replies: 5
Views: 7185

If the glass formed into the object that you were trying to make, and if it survived the cool down, then there is no reason you cannot bring to back up for an anneal soak and ramp down. The only thing to take into account is the size and thickness of the object. You might have to ramp it slowly to k...
by BillBrach
Wed Mar 10, 2004 4:39 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Sticking temperature of stainless steel
Replies: 8
Views: 7862

Sorry I didn't give enough information in my original post. What I'm trying to do is coat kiln made beads on ALL surfaces with anti-devit spray, and then run them through the kiln. I have to grind extensively on these beads to shape them, then obviously they need to be "shined" back up. I ...
by BillBrach
Wed Mar 10, 2004 2:32 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Sticking temperature of stainless steel
Replies: 8
Views: 7862

Sticking temperature of stainless steel

Does anybody know at what temp glass starts to stick to stainless steel ??

I have a project where I will not be able to use paper or kiln wash on, and I need to fire to about 1200 degrees.

So, does stainless stick to glass if it is 1200 ??
by BillBrach
Wed Mar 10, 2004 2:25 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Piece Broke While Slumping
Replies: 6
Views: 6785

Going from 300 to 1150 degrees in 10 minutes ??

If this is so, this is why it broke.

I'm guessing that this is WAY too fast for that thickness and diameter.

EDIT: Duh !! 300 DPH !!
by BillBrach
Mon Mar 08, 2004 9:20 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Rollin' & Tumblin'
Replies: 18
Views: 21121

Brian, Why "only a drop". What difference would it make if there were 2 drops, 5 drops, 10 drops ?? Is the bleach going to do something to the glass ?? Maybe a neat new effect ?? I know that bleach attackes the porcelain in tubs and loo's. Will it leave neat pitts in glass too ?? Bill
by BillBrach
Sun Mar 07, 2004 9:03 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Tile Saw
Replies: 26
Views: 26988

dblood - read my original post in this thread, about 1/2 down Page 1...
by BillBrach
Sat Mar 06, 2004 9:53 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: First time firing a new kiln
Replies: 4
Views: 6272

My Paragon Caldera came with instructions to take it to 500 degrees and let it sit at least 2 hours at that temp, to drive any moisture out of the firebrick. Then, fire as normal.
by BillBrach
Sat Mar 06, 2004 8:52 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Tile Saw
Replies: 26
Views: 26988

Earlier in this thread, I mentioned that I had just got a couple of the inexpensive Lopacki lapidary blades in and that I'd report back. They cut WONDERFUL !! The only problem with them, is because they are so thin, you must start your cut at 90 degrees to the glass. Once you have a little "nic...
by BillBrach
Sat Feb 28, 2004 8:50 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Rollin' & Tumblin'
Replies: 18
Views: 21121

AVLucky,

Yes, PLEASE report back as this is intriguing. I've got a tumbler I bought for glass beads to give them matte finish, but haven't used it yet.

BTW, where did you get your grit ??

Bill
by BillBrach
Sat Feb 28, 2004 8:18 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Tile Saw
Replies: 26
Views: 26988

I recently bought the MK145 to cut glass with. Yes, it is VERY loud and also, seems too fast for cutting small pieces of glass. So, to solve both of these, I used a 1500 watt industrial light dimmer to slow it down to a more reasonable speed. Now, you can work at it without feeling like you need ear...
by BillBrach
Tue Feb 24, 2004 8:39 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: S/S ring source
Replies: 9
Views: 10609

SS cookie cutters ??

For small shapes, I wonder if you could use stainless steel cookie cutters. You might want to cut the handle away, to give better access for placing the glass.

http://www.bakingshop.com/cakes/cookiecutters.htm
by BillBrach
Thu Feb 12, 2004 8:19 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Fusing float glass with Spectrum 96??
Replies: 3
Views: 4751

I think most float is between 84 and 88 COE. Yes, you will have a problem eventually.


If you had known 88 float, then I'd suggest using BE with it in small surface quantities.