Search found 23 matches

by Mike Griffin
Sat Jun 29, 2013 6:53 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: ceramic and porcelain tiles as dams?
Replies: 28
Views: 31817

Re: ceramic and porcelain tiles as dams?

I've used red paving bricks as dams and they are stable up to 1700 degrees at least. They must be the baked clay type, not concrete. Downside is that they are usually no longer than 9"
by Mike Griffin
Mon Jun 17, 2013 7:04 pm
Forum: Newcomer Forum
Topic: Questions for first kiln use
Replies: 9
Views: 13846

Re: Questions for first kiln use

I've had a couple of small pieces of glass adhere to my kiln washed kiln floor. The trouble is, the floor isn't as smooth as a kiln shelf and the pits can grab hold of molten glass. I'm seriously considering laying down 2-3 mm thick ceramic fibre paper on the floor of the kiln once I start doing pot...
by Mike Griffin
Sun May 19, 2013 8:27 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Spilt glass
Replies: 18
Views: 20038

Re: Spilt glass

As well, try to remove as much glass as you can from the fire brick or it will progressively eat it's way into the brickwork.
by Mike Griffin
Sun May 19, 2013 8:15 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Spilt glass
Replies: 18
Views: 20038

Re: Spilt glass

Hi Steve Yes I lost the plot and just turned off the kiln in disgust. If I cut up the pieces and then anneal them properly, does that work or should I just bin it? and Dave I have no idea how the glass jumped across the gap as I had not touched it before the photo was taken. The kiln shelf looks to...
by Mike Griffin
Fri May 17, 2013 8:40 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Fusing fiberglass mesh to wire
Replies: 3
Views: 5578

Re: Fusing fiberglass mesh to wire

I agree with morganica. All the fibreglass cloth I've come across has had the individual fibres coated with a polymer like substance. This would be done so that fibreglass resins are able to easily wet the cloth. In my experience heating the cloth does burn off the resin but it leaves the cloth brit...
by Mike Griffin
Fri Apr 12, 2013 7:57 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: glass cuttimg medium
Replies: 51
Views: 52396

Re: glass cuttimg medium

I've just started using NFK fast evaporating cutting oil. CR Laurance have similar. It has a very low surface tension on glass and literally climbs out of cutters. It is designed to evaporate entirely without leaving a residue. Gum Turpentine is just as good without having the same low surface tensi...
by Mike Griffin
Tue Apr 09, 2013 12:51 am
Forum: Art, philosophy, and content
Topic: How to Tell Good Art from Bad?
Replies: 19
Views: 58027

Re: How to Tell Good Art from Bad?

It is a brave person indeed who categorises the trueness of art according to whether or not the said work complies with criteria 1) 2) 3). Having seen a very memorable sculpture constructed from nothing more or less than PVC pipes, it wasn't the medium or the technique that impressed it was the logi...
by Mike Griffin
Mon Apr 08, 2013 11:30 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: splash guards/surround
Replies: 7
Views: 8555

Re: splash guards/surround

Tile saws are so messy. I'm getting a new one with a blade for glass. I'm intending to do away with the bath of water below the table and plan to use a small fountain pump to dribble water where the cutting edge of the blade meets the glass. The blade should then push most of the water downwards hop...
by Mike Griffin
Mon Apr 08, 2013 11:19 pm
Forum: Art, philosophy, and content
Topic: Color
Replies: 13
Views: 19067

Re: Color

'Colour and The Optical Properties of Materials: An Exploration of the Relationship Between Light, the Optical Properties of Materials and Colour' does indeed sound like an interesting book. I have read something like it, perhaps more scientific, perhaps not. Often you can find yourself in the deep ...
by Mike Griffin
Mon Apr 08, 2013 11:06 pm
Forum: Art, philosophy, and content
Topic: Color
Replies: 13
Views: 19067

Re: Color

The Color Revolution. I always look up Amazon.com when I'm thinking about purchasing a book, not necessarily as a supplier but to read customer reviews. It has generally been been a great help. If the book seems good then I'll borrow it from the library. If it is so good I couldn't live without it, ...
by Mike Griffin
Mon Apr 08, 2013 10:57 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Fern Leaf Fusing
Replies: 17
Views: 23065

Re: Fern Leaf Fusing

H haven't done it but I did read a process somewhere. The leaves (they may have been pressed and dried first) were sprayed with hairspray and powdered glass was sifted over. May need further applications of hairspray and powdered glass to achieve opacity and colour blending. Can't remember what happ...
by Mike Griffin
Sat Apr 06, 2013 8:06 pm
Forum: Newcomer Forum
Topic: Lid Dust
Replies: 10
Views: 10246

Re: Lid Dust

I had the same problem with my Cress kiln. Was OK when I first bought it but after around 20 firings I was discovering tiny particles of brick fused into the glass. I vacuumed the lid thoroughly and regularly but still it happened. Eventually I found a way to blow out the lid grooves using a length ...
by Mike Griffin
Fri Apr 05, 2013 5:48 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Kiln not firing
Replies: 5
Views: 6703

Re: Kiln not firing

As my kiln is quite new I don't have any problems. As it ages though I expect that the relays will need to be replaced, because the contacts have eroded. Could that be the problem?
Mike
by Mike Griffin
Thu Apr 04, 2013 8:57 pm
Forum: Newcomer Forum
Topic: Matte slumped pieces
Replies: 27
Views: 28771

Re: Matte slumped pieces

Hi In 2011 I did a lot of tests with float glass, and regularly removed the tin side by soaking the flat piecesfor about 30' in a flat tray filled with CRL water spot remover - a tip that I picked up here on this board. One can see a very very pale sediment in the liquid after this treatment. The l...
by Mike Griffin
Thu Apr 04, 2013 8:10 pm
Forum: Newcomer Forum
Topic: Primo vs. Hi-Fire shelf primer
Replies: 6
Views: 9668

Re: Primo vs. Hi-Fire shelf primer

This is a good comparison. It is a PDF http://goo.gl/xEOqu
by Mike Griffin
Thu Apr 04, 2013 6:57 pm
Forum: Jewelry Making
Topic: Casting bronze with glass
Replies: 5
Views: 10412

Re: Casting bronze with glass

As far as I know, platinum, which has a COE of 90 is the only metal compatible with glass. Other metals have COE's about twice that and are therefore incompatible when in intimate contact unless they are thin sections of metal that can expand and contract with the glass. Glass/metal objects with sig...
by Mike Griffin
Thu Apr 04, 2013 6:40 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Tekta Scrap
Replies: 11
Views: 12759

Re: Tekta Scrap

I haven't tried it yet but I intend to have a go at tack fusing rectangular bits together for re-use. The bits left over from cutting circles presents more of a problem. I'm presently setting up to do screen melts which, if successful should use up a lot of the clear.
by Mike Griffin
Thu Apr 04, 2013 1:29 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: MICR Printer owners
Replies: 13
Views: 16672

Re: MICR Printer owners

Similar to what I'm doing. Laser print on plain paper. Thin layer of artist's acrylic varnish (eg. Aleen's Enhancers gloss varnish but others work too) on glass and stick paper print side down to wet surface avoiding bubbles. I'm not using iridised glass. Paper burns off at about 450 deg C in a slum...
by Mike Griffin
Wed Apr 03, 2013 1:58 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: glass cuttimg medium
Replies: 51
Views: 52396

Re: glass cuttimg medium

Don, There are several other manufacturers too and they are mostly formulated for automatic glass cutting machines and often for thick float glass but most have just one, sometimes two suitable for hand cutters.
by Mike Griffin
Tue Apr 02, 2013 6:52 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: MICR Printer owners
Replies: 13
Views: 16672

Re: MICR Printer owners

I've just bought a P1102w printer and it works great. I couldn't believe that it only cost $89. The standard toner #85, CE285A has >45% iron pigment and it produces great sepia fused glass prints. No need to search for a MICR toner cartridge.