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Jackie, This is an interesting issue that I tackle in a different way. I do not currently sell any of the fused work I do. My kids think I am nuts with all of the glass around the house. If someone offers to buy a piece I have made I refuse and offer instead to teach them to make their own piece. To...

I agree with Jackie. Go slow and it will work.

Tim

Sharon Based on what you have described I would say it broke on the way up in the slump, as stated by Charlie. The reason it broke maybe more due to the fact you had varying thickness of glass. I have seen this happen to others as they learn to fuse. The break may actually be a tear in the glass, bu...

Amy, There are some good books out there that discuss the reaction that takes place between the different compounds used to color glass. To truly know what reaction to expect you will need to know the formulation of the glass. This is not always easy to get and maybe much more detailed than you want...

I have used the same method that Susan recommends. It can be very nerve racking for the first time, but you get betted at estimating were the score line is located.

Tim

I have tried what you are attempting and the only method I was successful with was using a tungsten or graphite mandrel. I used a small kiln to get the bead up to 950°F and fire polished the bead in a torch. I think that going all the way up to 1200°F you will risk having the bead too soften much ...

I suspect that the piece broke on the ramp up and not in the annealing phase. A break in the ramp up into a slump will leave the edges looking sharp and well defined until you look very close. If it broke before the peak temperature the edge will look like it had been barely fire polished. With a pi...

I have used the method that Patty shows and it works very well for transparent glass. When you start using this method with non-transparent, or thin glass it can get a little more difficult.

Tim

I would agree, it sounds like you are getting a reaction between the different colorants in the glass.

Tim

Stuart,

I get it from Rio Grande and Lonnie's (Phoenix area supplier).

Tim

Cathie,

When using silver in fusing you also need to be careful what colors of glass and fusing temperature you are using. The compounds used to color glass can react with the silver at high temperatures.

Tim

Isabell, It has been my experience that you will eventually have problems with Dichroic-to-Dichroic fusing. There is a very thin quartz coating that is on top of the metal coatings. This quartz coating can tack fuse to the other quartz coating on the other piece. However, to get better than a tack w...

I agree with Paul. I use time rather than temperature on very steep slumping molds. If you get the glass too hot it will slip down the side of the mold too far.

Tim

When I need millefiori to fuse with BE I make my own. It is not hard to make, but it can be time consuming if the cane is very detailed.

Tim

If you have not had the chance to take a fusing class, I would recommend investing the time in a basc course. Classes are taught at Artistry Stain Glass in Scottsdale and at the Mesa Art Center.

Tim

To excite the frit to move around try lacing the glass directly on the speaker. The string the suspended the glass will actually act to dampen out the vibration. If you cannot place the glass directly on the speaker try suspending the glass with something more ridged like wire or wood.

Tim

I think BE purple gold is less likely to devitrify. I have more problems with non-transparent colors.

Tim

Most of the flame working I do is with a minor burner. I also have a Hot Head that can be used for stringer work (fusing), but it is almost an over kill for stringers. I am one of those people that has used a Hot Head to make beads and marbles. I would stay away from only propane or acetylene, as th...

Try calibrating the thermocouple in boiling water. Your thermocouple should have come with a calibration procedure.

Tim

I have been doing some research into the issue of pitting when iridized glass is fused with the iridized surface down. I have found information on the stannous chloride (and other salts) and glass reactions in several of the glass chemistry books that I have. None of the books and other documents gi...