Search found 42 matches

by Al Bray
Thu Feb 13, 2014 8:06 pm
Forum: Newcomer Forum
Topic: How could I have prevented these bubbles?
Replies: 7
Views: 8682

Re: How could I have prevented these bubbles?

One way is with the application of a very light layer of clear powder between the two layers. It's discussed here. http://www.bullseyeglass.com/images/stories/bullseye/PDF/other_technical/quick_tip_powder_power.pdf You mentioned your using 96, but the concept in this document is the same. You just m...
by Al Bray
Tue Aug 27, 2013 10:41 am
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Fiberglass chopped strand mat material
Replies: 9
Views: 17680

Re: Fiberglass chopped strand mat material

Not sure if these are the best price option but http://www.eagerplastics.com/choppedstrand.htm They sell both 1/4" and 1/2" lengths and 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 lb quantity offerings. http://www.tapplastics.com/product/fiberglass/resin_fillers_dyes/tap_chopped_fiberglass/45 Tap plastics is anot...
by Al Bray
Wed Aug 14, 2013 7:20 pm
Forum: Photos and Stuff
Topic: Latest Project Completed
Replies: 20
Views: 25694

Re: Latest Project Completed

Thank you everyone for your time, feedback, and encouragement. It is all very much appreciated.

- Al
by Al Bray
Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:41 pm
Forum: Photos and Stuff
Topic: Latest Project Completed
Replies: 20
Views: 25694

Latest Project Completed

Just a few photos of the latest vessel I completed as I continue to explore reactions, movement, composition, and deep slumping. Size: 11.5" diameter x 6" deep I started out with a design that was a lot more loose but dang if I didn't fall back into old habits of trying to control things t...
by Al Bray
Tue May 28, 2013 9:07 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: HELP with Bartlett RTC1000 program delay
Replies: 7
Views: 9392

Re: HELP with Bartlett RTC1000 program delay

Lynn - Thanks for checking on the controller operations. My problem is that I never fired the kiln so the program didn't run. It looks like the delay is a separate program, not part of the user program. I let the delay run out on my one minute schedule and it was finally gone. Case closed (unless B...
by Al Bray
Mon May 13, 2013 9:25 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: MIXING POWDERS
Replies: 13
Views: 19385

Re: MIXING POWDERS

Also, I think that I must have some white powder with which to mix the darker colors, the choice suggested to me by a very experienced GURU was to use BE 0113. Yet in one of the classes I took, it was said that 0113 is a little bit reactive. Has anybody outhere experienced this? What white shade wo...
by Al Bray
Sat Mar 23, 2013 6:44 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Solid State Controllers
Replies: 9
Views: 10164

Re: Solid State Controllers

For reference, I thought I would post a link to the following: http://www.sdiohio.com/Pages/Power%20Control.htm Though not totally free of techinical/geek speak, it is probably one of the easier to understand documents discussing the various type of power control, their advantages, disadvantages, etc.
by Al Bray
Sat Mar 23, 2013 2:27 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Solid State Controllers
Replies: 9
Views: 10164

Re: Solid State Controllers

There are different kinds of solid state relays. They do not all use the same signal to turn on and off. The Watlow Dinamites are phase angle fired SCR's. They turn on or off 120 times a second. The result of this is a proportional amount of power being applied to the elements. This is easier on th...
by Al Bray
Sun Mar 10, 2013 11:30 am
Forum: Photos and Stuff
Topic: Deeper Slumping
Replies: 15
Views: 19055

Re: Deeper Slumping

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to provide feedback. To answer the questions: Havi, I did use the first two molds from the 3 mold set that are used in Karl’s Perfect Vessel workshops for slumping this project. Terry, I decided not to do the third slump on this particular project because I ...
by Al Bray
Fri Mar 08, 2013 12:45 pm
Forum: Photos and Stuff
Topic: Deeper Slumping
Replies: 15
Views: 19055

Deeper Slumping

Just a few pictures of my first attempt at slumping a project into deeper molds on my own.

The vessel itself is approximately 12.75" in diameter and 6.75" deep.

- Al
by Al Bray
Fri Mar 08, 2013 12:38 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Custom kiln design photos
Replies: 12
Views: 12148

Re: Custom kiln design photos

Looks pretty sweet Al, how is it working out? Hi Brock, So far it's working out really well. I am pleased with it both in terms of the ergonomics of using it, as well as the uniformity of the heating. At least at the level in the chamber I am working with things now. The first blank I slumped into ...
by Al Bray
Tue Mar 05, 2013 8:10 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Custom kiln design photos
Replies: 12
Views: 12148

Custom kiln design photos

Additional Photos
by Al Bray
Tue Mar 05, 2013 8:05 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Custom kiln design photos
Replies: 12
Views: 12148

Custom kiln design photos

I thought I would share some photos of a custom kiln design I worked with Denver Glass to make a reality. I am quite happy with the older KL-50D I have when working on larger flat fusing and shallower slumping projects. However for a while now, I have wanted to pursue taller slumping/drop out work, ...
by Al Bray
Mon Mar 04, 2013 11:43 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Signing work for Magless
Replies: 9
Views: 11684

Re: Signing work for Magless

Lots of excellent ideas for future reference... Before I shipped them on Wed., I tried black sharpie on a sample and discovered I could ever so slightly see it when light was able to shine through the piece. So for this batch, I just left the etched signature without color. But I appreciate knowing...
by Al Bray
Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:52 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Genesis lg format kiln
Replies: 27
Views: 24669

Re: Genesis lg format kiln

is there such a paint that withstands high temps and is not toxic? That would be terrific..please let me know. Bonnie, You asked about a paint used in high temp applications and this is one I have used before. http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/flameproof/ (color I used was the flat black) It is avai...
by Al Bray
Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:18 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: documentation/record keeping
Replies: 19
Views: 20071

Re: documentation/record keeping

Thanks for the file Al. What a great tool. Bob Here is the link to the new file for you (and anyone else that might want to take a look at it). https://dl.dropbox.com/u/98561690/KilnFormedGlassProjectOutline-SaveEnabled.pdf The document won't load for me, even after grabbing the latest Acrobat read...
by Al Bray
Sat Jan 26, 2013 6:23 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: documentation/record keeping
Replies: 19
Views: 20071

Re: documentation/record keeping

I have made a couple of more tweaks to the form. The URL mentioned earlier in the thread will still get you to the latest version. Mostly I wanted to clean up some of the wasted white space between the rows in the different table sections as the free-form text areas of the rows will allow the row to...
by Al Bray
Fri Jan 25, 2013 5:22 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: documentation/record keeping
Replies: 19
Views: 20071

Re: documentation/record keeping

Thanks for the file Al. What a great tool. Bob Hi Bob. Your more than welcome. I know myself I was tired of trying to piece together my my handwritten notebooks, my electronic word documents, my spread sheets of firing schedules, and then the individual photos. This way I can consolidate all the in...
by Al Bray
Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:30 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: documentation/record keeping
Replies: 19
Views: 20071

Re: documentation/record keeping

It's funny you should mention this as I have been working on a dynamic PDF form that one can fill out on their computer with the notes one keeps for vairous projects (description of the project, materials list, the firing profie information for the various stages of the project, etc.). Also one can ...
by Al Bray
Tue Jan 22, 2013 8:59 pm
Forum: Newcomer Forum
Topic: Schedule help and other questions.
Replies: 15
Views: 20421

Re: Schedule help and other questions.

The items were not very big and I did not see any bubbles, I used french vanilla and woodland brown. I am very new at this and I was using a schedule from one of my suppliers (a general schedule for fusing). My kiln is an Evenheat GTS 2541 9" deep. Any other suggested schedules would be greatl...