Search found 286 matches

by The Hobbyist
Sat Nov 22, 2014 8:07 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: GlasTac not drying
Replies: 7
Views: 11714

Re: GlasTac not drying

Hot glue gun
by The Hobbyist
Tue Nov 04, 2014 4:39 pm
Forum: Newcomer Forum
Topic: Are Bullseye Videos Lessons worth the expense?
Replies: 18
Views: 29605

Re: Are Bullseye Videos Lessons worth the expense?

"Worth it" is a relative term. The lessons cover basic stuff (many are free) through more advanced ideas and techniques. Which ones you find interesting/enlightening will surely differ from others. There is something there for everyone. The instruction is well written and delivered. The vi...
by The Hobbyist
Fri Oct 31, 2014 3:30 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Cleaning 'abandoned' strips
Replies: 9
Views: 9465

Re: Cleaning 'abandoned' strips

Where did the advice/idea to put cut strips in water come from? That is usually given when sawing or grinding glass. This leads to the question; What is the crust on the glass? If it is water deposits (minerals in the water) and not dirt or ground glass dust then it may be more difficult to clean th...
by The Hobbyist
Thu Oct 30, 2014 8:56 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Cleaning 'abandoned' strips
Replies: 9
Views: 9465

Re: Cleaning 'abandoned' strips

Just soak in some water with a little detergent, to soften the crud, rinse and wipe dry. I used to soak stuff in Polident to clean it. If you haven't ground them there should be no residues in pores. The glass should still be smooth and shiny. That won't devit if it is fairly clean. Jim "The Ho...
by The Hobbyist
Thu Oct 30, 2014 8:52 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: firing irid, face-down
Replies: 16
Views: 24187

Re: firing irid, face-down

I bought a large supply of them many years ago when I first started playing with glass. They were a handy way to sort and store all kinds of things like frit, powder, gems, scraps, pills, spices, etc. Later, when I saw the Paasche 62 airbrush it looked like they would fit. Sure enough, they will scr...
by The Hobbyist
Thu Oct 30, 2014 8:13 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Cleaning 'abandoned' strips
Replies: 9
Views: 9465

Re: Cleaning 'abandoned' strips

How did you cut them? With a saw or score and break?

Jim "The Hobbyist"
by The Hobbyist
Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:44 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: firing irid, face-down
Replies: 16
Views: 24187

Re: firing irid, face-down

Laurie, thanks for the tip. I never sprayed kiln wash, but I will try this, because I fire irid face down a lot. I've been using this airbrush for years: http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/pa62sphe.html I have a large supply of the same bottle that is used with the sprayer so I can premix 20 or 3...
by The Hobbyist
Fri Oct 03, 2014 4:19 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Grinding Glass
Replies: 3
Views: 4322

Re: Grinding Glass

The coarser the grit the greater the chipping will be around the perimeter. Even at 30 you should see quite a bit. 16 will be worse. The chipping can be very deep which in turn requires even more surface removal. I would suggest a little finer grit like 60 or 80 and more rapid application. This is w...
by The Hobbyist
Sun Sep 28, 2014 10:23 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: How low and long to slump
Replies: 5
Views: 6438

Re: How low and long to slump

I doubt the "usual" slumping schedule for Bullseye takes the temp to 1385. I used to slump at 1300-1350 but now I'm happy at 1250. Ticker pieces are not necessarily slower than others. If you're looking for a schedule you can program and walk away --- forget it. I still have to peek at aro...
by The Hobbyist
Sun Sep 28, 2014 1:02 pm
Forum: Newcomer Forum
Topic: Tack fusing schedule
Replies: 7
Views: 12216

Re: Tack fusing schedule

The 200 ramp all the way to 1300 should be more than adequate heatwork to get the glass sticky enough to attach the pieces. Too much heatwork runs the risk of losing the shape of the parts and the textures from the frit casting. I am assuming that you have had success with tack fusing at 1300. All k...
by The Hobbyist
Sat Sep 27, 2014 4:21 pm
Forum: Newcomer Forum
Topic: Tack fusing schedule
Replies: 7
Views: 12216

Re: Tack fusing schedule

I would eliminate the 15 min hold.

Jim
by The Hobbyist
Thu Sep 25, 2014 1:45 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Screen Melt Bowl Failures
Replies: 6
Views: 8859

Re: Screen Melt Bowl Failures

More information is necessary. Are the melt disks the same thickness as the other ones that don't break? If they are thicker they will have to be ramped up much slower especially in the tight confines of that little kiln. That would explain why the break appears to be from thermal shock. The break a...
by The Hobbyist
Sun Sep 21, 2014 8:07 pm
Forum: Newcomer Forum
Topic: advice on best kilns ... value for money
Replies: 6
Views: 9879

Re: advice on best kilns ... value for money

It is the craftsman not the tool(s) that produces quality results. There were many high quality glass pieces made long before glass kilns were invented. And they continue to be produced in spite of your insulting inference that it can't be done. I repeat, show me a piece that can only be produced us...
by The Hobbyist
Sun Sep 21, 2014 2:25 pm
Forum: Newcomer Forum
Topic: advice on best kilns ... value for money
Replies: 6
Views: 9879

Re: advice on best kilns ... value for money

a kiln not properly set up for glass. I'm very curious. What does this mean? I would like see a piece of kilnformed glass that can only be made in a glass kiln and not in a ceramic kiln. The only discernible difference I've seen between a ceramic kiln and a glass kiln are the elements in the lid. I...
by The Hobbyist
Fri Sep 19, 2014 1:08 pm
Forum: Newcomer Forum
Topic: advice on best kilns ... value for money
Replies: 6
Views: 9879

Re: advice on best kilns ... value for money

Many people, myself included, begin by finding a used kiln. That first kiln is often a ceramic kiln because they are plentiful and generally inexpensive if you are patient. Many have hardly ever been fired. Craigslist and Ebay are excellent sources. Using a ceramic kiln requires purchasing a pyromet...
by The Hobbyist
Sun Aug 10, 2014 11:08 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Ceramic kiln with manual controls (low, Med, High)
Replies: 9
Views: 13125

Re: Ceramic kiln with manual controls (low, Med, High)

The only difference between a ceramic kiln and a glass kiln is indeed that one has elements in the lid and the other doesn't. Without a controller to regulate the firing you will have to "sit beside it" and monitor the controls to get the ramp and process temperatures you want. A controlle...
by The Hobbyist
Sat Aug 09, 2014 12:13 pm
Forum: Photos and Stuff
Topic: 3 stage deep slump, my first solo attempt
Replies: 7
Views: 11247

Re: 3 stage deep slump, my first solo attempt

I'm not getting the picture(s) either.

Jim
by The Hobbyist
Sat Apr 19, 2014 12:14 pm
Forum: Newcomer Forum
Topic: Help with slumping molds: finished pieces rock
Replies: 9
Views: 11512

Re: Help with slumping molds: finished pieces rock

I have used this method: Put the offending bowl in the kiln and note where to touch it so that it will rock. Then heat the kiln until it approaches the slumping temp range. As it gets close reach in and touch the bowl to make it rock. Eventually as the temp/time rises there will come a point where i...
by The Hobbyist
Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:41 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: BE 1101 clear powder problem
Replies: 7
Views: 9627

Re: BE 1101 clear powder problem

The powder is trapping tiny bubbles and they are giving it that cloudy white look. Try using larger frit.

Jim
by The Hobbyist
Tue Feb 25, 2014 7:09 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Hot Spots during Fire Polishing
Replies: 8
Views: 9907

Re: Hot Spots during Fire Polishing

It seems like you're putting in a lot more effort than necessary. I flip-n-fire nearly all my pieces. I compose the piece (strips and/or whatever) and fire it face down to full fuse. I then sand blast the side that was on the bottom (face), wash well and spray with SuperSpray. This is fired face up ...