Search found 1462 matches

by Brad Walker
Sun Apr 06, 2003 12:26 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Checking kiln temperature????
Replies: 15
Views: 22045

Another way to test the temperature in your kiln is with ceramic cones. Each cone is set up for a different temperature, so you can get some idea of how accurate or inaccurate your kiln is. Also, there's a lot of good information in Bullseye's "Knowing Your Kiln" TechNotes No. 1: http://ww...
by Brad Walker
Sat Apr 05, 2003 4:42 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Kiln Wash Won't stick in mold
Replies: 6
Views: 8638

Re: Kiln Wash Won't stick in mold

:?: I have a new ceramic mold and the BE kiln wash will not stick to one small spot. I even tried leaving a thin puddle over the spot when I baked it, but no good, it came right off. What should I do to make it stick? Hopefully, Ross You probably don't have to do anything. It's common for ceramic m...
by Brad Walker
Wed Mar 26, 2003 9:16 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Distance from top elements to glass?
Replies: 7
Views: 11914

Re: Distance from top elements to glass?

[quote="db]A thread a few weeks ago on craft web gave me the impression that there's a point of insulation thickness (I remember 6") after which it becomes a heat sink and begins to degrade efficiency. But that was folks who run their furnaces and lehrs for days, not hours. [quote] Sounds ...
by Brad Walker
Wed Mar 26, 2003 8:15 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Distance from top elements to glass?
Replies: 7
Views: 11914

Re: Distance from top elements to glass?

I've just had my big side-element kiln retrofit with ceiling elements, so it can be used as a top-broiler, so to speak. I'm using it to slump lots of small pieces of glass, on corrugated stainless steel sheet. Question: how close can I safely place the glass to the top elements? 6"? 4"? I...
by Brad Walker
Wed Mar 19, 2003 11:31 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Does someone know Bina from Jones Glasswork?
Replies: 29
Views: 39425

I don't see how anyone can own the process of cutting a piece of copper and fusing it between two sheets of glass. The idea is obvious to anyone who's ever had a sheet of copper and a fusing kiln. As for Jackson Pollock's "innovative technique", he himself said that it was taken from Nativ...
by Brad Walker
Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:52 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: making patterns bars
Replies: 6
Views: 10986

I'd be reluctant to use thin fire, for fear that it would curl and cause problems. I'd use a thicker fiber paper.

Has anyone tried this with thin fire?
by Brad Walker
Tue Mar 18, 2003 3:36 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: stands for display
Replies: 12
Views: 16579

For larger pieces you probably need to find a local welder. You ought to be able to get them made for $25 to $50 each, but it may take some effort to find a welder willing to take on the work.
by Brad Walker
Tue Mar 18, 2003 12:45 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Questions about rock inclusions
Replies: 16
Views: 25869

Some rocks have moisture in them and will explode or crack when heated in a kiln. If you're going to try this, first prefire the rocks to see how they react to the heat.
by Brad Walker
Sat Mar 15, 2003 12:58 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Glass embossing
Replies: 2
Views: 7710

The commercial embossing products are brass. Plaster won't withstand repeated use at the necessary temperature (1300 to 1400 F).
by Brad Walker
Sat Mar 15, 2003 11:38 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Separators - a comprehensive thread
Replies: 39
Views: 55189

Sara wrote:Brad isn't getting the bubbles, does this mean that you've solved that challenge too?
The jury's still out on that. My latest test firing got fairly severe bubbles.

I'll report more fully when I know more and can do a few more tests. And I'm sure Jim will let us know his thoughts, too.
by Brad Walker
Fri Mar 14, 2003 2:22 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Eureka
Replies: 41
Views: 61927

Nikki O'Neill wrote:Tony and Steve: Check your WGB inbox for a message.
Technology and this board are so cool.
Nikki
Here's how cool it is, Nikki. You don't even have to tell them to check the inbox. The software will actually do it for you!
by Brad Walker
Fri Mar 14, 2003 12:16 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: silicone carbide vs aluminum oxide results
Replies: 6
Views: 10982

Also, please note that there is a Search capability for these forums. Just search on the topics you're looking for.

The Search button is toward the top of the page, just below the "Links and Resources" link.
by Brad Walker
Fri Mar 14, 2003 12:15 pm
Forum: Business Topics
Topic: ARTform Palm Beach: Sales Report
Replies: 7
Views: 15099

I also am curious about how many of the WG board members went to Vegas. If I could figure out how to attach a poll to this post, I'd do it. Brad, am I dreaming, or did I see some sort of poll capability to this new-fangled board you've gotten us all so (almost) well trained on? No, you weren't drea...
by Brad Walker
Thu Mar 13, 2003 11:57 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Recommendations on Scales
Replies: 5
Views: 11424

Buy a postal scale. They're accurate and widely available.
by Brad Walker
Thu Mar 13, 2003 5:45 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Separators - a comprehensive thread
Replies: 39
Views: 55189

I will post my results as soon as I've finished with the various tests. Right now the company offers several standard sizes, the largest of which is 20" square and costs $195 retail. I believe that custom sizes are available, but they're not cheap. The product is about 1" thick, one side i...
by Brad Walker
Thu Mar 13, 2003 4:11 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Separators - a comprehensive thread
Replies: 39
Views: 55189

Is it dangerous 2 sand n whats it like with ' corosive ' stuff like fluxes / copper etc http://www.warmglass.com/sheep.gif There's nothing in their materials about safety, wearing a mask, or anything like that. I've asked for an MSDS, so will see what that contains. I doubt if they've tried every f...
by Brad Walker
Thu Mar 13, 2003 11:58 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Separators - a comprehensive thread
Replies: 39
Views: 55189

They've also told me that you can work the shelves with woodworking tools, but I haven't tried that.
by Brad Walker
Thu Mar 13, 2003 11:05 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Separators - a comprehensive thread
Replies: 39
Views: 55189

Actually, it's easier than using cerium oxide. You can just use cheesecloth to smooth by hand, or if you want something really smooth than use a buffer attached to a regular drill (or just a car buffer without the cerium). I've fired the sample shelf I have four times and so far haven't had any stic...
by Brad Walker
Wed Mar 12, 2003 10:30 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Separators - a comprehensive thread
Replies: 39
Views: 55189

Couldn't agree more, Sara. There are a number of things about the company that worry me, starting with their discount structure to retailers (it's horrible), their sales materials (lots of mispellings and such), and the lead times to get the shelves (way too long). But the version of the product I'm...
by Brad Walker
Wed Mar 12, 2003 9:04 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Separators - a comprehensive thread
Replies: 39
Views: 55189

No Troubles with Bubbles

brad - the fusion shelves - are they smooth? also what about bubbles on larger pieces? D Very smooth. No bubbles at all. My understanding is that when they first introduced the shelves they did have troubles with bubbles, but they seem to have solved that problem. I'm using a 12" square shelf,...