Search found 59 matches
- Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:24 am
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: coldworking mirror--like regular glass?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 14583
Re: coldworking mirror--like regular glass?
I guess we're a bit off topic discussing warm working mirror instead of cold working, but it's all relevant to our trade. I did google toxicity of aluminum and there is some evidence it may be harmful but the jury is still out on this. However, I suspect many substrates we apply to glass then fire m...
- Sat May 31, 2014 11:36 am
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: coldworking mirror--like regular glass?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 14583
Re: coldworking mirror--like regular glass?
Safe? I'm more concerned about all the aluminum used in most deoderants, or cooking in aluminum pans than backs of mirrors!
- Thu May 29, 2014 10:53 am
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: coldworking mirror--like regular glass?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 14583
Re: coldworking mirror--like regular glass?
FYI, scratching out a design on the backside of a mirror then slumping into shape produces interesting results. Often the paint comes off leaving the silver layer intact (my favorite tool for this is a razor blade). Modern day electro-plated mirrors react differently than old-time poured silver w/ b...
- Mon Feb 24, 2014 3:35 pm
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: Help with design and building a new shop
- Replies: 25
- Views: 52295
Re: Help with design and building a new shop
I've found a few scattered 50 amp. 220 volt outlets really come in handy to provide choices for growing (having two kilns on at the same time), multitasking (using the welder while fusing), or remodeling later on.
- Thu Feb 13, 2014 9:09 pm
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: Help with design and building a new shop
- Replies: 25
- Views: 52295
Re: Help with design and building a new shop
I think a whole house fan installed in a window at the end of your bench is important. Especially if you're working a lot with frit, you should create cross-ventilation with air exhausting and blowing across your work area. This is really important to keep your health!
- Sat Nov 30, 2013 11:58 am
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: nichrome wire inclusion
- Replies: 6
- Views: 9942
Re: nichrome wire inclusion
I use 17 gauge kanthal wire and have excellant results when the ends of each leg meet together inside the glass, like in a circle or oval.
- Thu Nov 21, 2013 11:59 am
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: Advice on a kiln for fusing 17" bowl?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 11444
Re: Advice on a kiln for fusing 17" bowl?
In my opinion, your best bet is to make your own kiln. It's not rocket science, just an insulated box with elements (Durolite). The key is controlling the heat with a good digital controller, which you buy anyway. This approach allows much more size for much less money.
- Tue Nov 12, 2013 12:07 pm
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: look for the best kiln controller
- Replies: 2
- Views: 3723
Re: look for the best kiln controller
I've found the best use of a controller happens when it's designed to be portable - in it's own box. Get one with the most amps to be versatile in the future. My controller services 4 different kilns.
- Sun Oct 06, 2013 11:25 am
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: Adding a rim to future bowls
- Replies: 27
- Views: 28470
Re: Adding a rim to future bowls
Slumping pieces into a true circle shape is important - however that's too hard using only two pieces (semi-circle) because you get a flat spot - so I use a few more. Any diameter can be bent then combined to form a true circle - don't even worry about how many pieces it takes to get it right. Pay a...
- Sat Oct 05, 2013 10:02 am
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: Adding a rim to future bowls
- Replies: 27
- Views: 28470
Re: Adding a rim to future bowls
That's the idea.
- Thu Oct 03, 2013 10:19 am
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: Fusing/Slumping or Tack/Slumping at same time
- Replies: 9
- Views: 13336
Re: Fusing/Slumping or Tack/Slumping at same time
Window (float) glass has different properties than regular fusing glass. One of these charactoristics is how tough the glass is, even at high fusing temps (1485 degrees F.)). It doesn't like to flow much, or even round edges. We take advantage of this by easily fusing/slumping in one firing. Colors ...
- Thu Oct 03, 2013 9:54 am
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: Adding a rim to future bowls
- Replies: 27
- Views: 28470
Re: Adding a rim to future bowls
I've made colored rims another way, using 1/4" strips cut from sheet. I first lay them onto a proper size semi-circle form and slump them. Now you combine these bent colors to form the outside circle & begin adding material for the main area inside. This works really well after you've worke...
- Sun Sep 22, 2013 10:01 am
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: enamels that hold up to fusing temps
- Replies: 7
- Views: 6878
Re: enamels that hold up to fusing temps
I fire two layers of 1/4" plate glass, with paint in between layers to 1485 degrees F. on a deep parabola shaped mold. For fun, I put low-fire paint along side high-fire, and am surprised to find it works! I also get great results mixing together low-fire color powder with a high-fire white to ...
- Sun Sep 22, 2013 9:44 am
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: what's the most popular tile size?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 9432
Re: what's the most popular tile size?
I use fused tiles in these black metal trivets purchased from Ed Hoy, and the size for a nice fit is 4 1/4" sq. People stopping by our gallery find these to be a good bargain because they actually serve a purpose - folks here are so darn practical!
- Sat Sep 21, 2013 9:55 am
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: old timers survey
- Replies: 11
- Views: 12839
Re: old timers survey
I read the book, Kiln-fired Glass by Harriette Anderson and started fusing in 1976. Went to the West Coast on a buying trip with a local supplier & remember visiting Bullseye Glass when secrective rumblings about compatible glass was getting tested (but they didn't want to talk about it). My kil...
- Fri Sep 20, 2013 6:18 pm
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: Looking for tips about projects using a recycled mirror
- Replies: 11
- Views: 11084
Re: Looking for tips about projects using a recycled mirror
Appears my photos are invalid, and not able to be viewed here without some form of surgery. Pm with your email and I'll oblige.
- Thu Sep 19, 2013 5:45 pm
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: Looking for tips about projects using a recycled mirror
- Replies: 11
- Views: 11084
Re: Looking for tips about projects using a recycled mirror
That was the point. I can send pictures if you need further stoking.
- Wed Sep 18, 2013 10:41 am
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: Looking for tips about projects using a recycled mirror
- Replies: 11
- Views: 11084
Re: Looking for tips about projects using a recycled mirror
I make bowls and platters from mirrors and regular window glass. You do not always know exactly how it will look due to a variety of materials and methods of manufacturing - a fact I do not mind (Mother Nature having a hand in your work) since I have more fun not in total control. Choose an image (o...
- Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:42 pm
- Forum: Kiln Casting
- Topic: preparation of stainless steel casting rings
- Replies: 6
- Views: 11641
Re: preparation of stainless steel casting rings
Plus it helps to back the glass away from the walls when loading, so the molten glass oozes up against the fiber on it's own.
- Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:38 pm
- Forum: Techniques and Tools
- Topic: MOLD MAKING QUESTIONS
- Replies: 6
- Views: 8040
Re: MOLD MAKING QUESTIONS
It has a dated shelf life which had expired (which is why I got it super cheap). It costs so much to buy that the supplier has to pay attention to the shelf life date so as not to deliver bad stock to his regular customers. It does however last much longer that the stated shelf life so they peddle i...