WarmGlass.com

Will pay for prototype and process to teach us to make a sand mold for a flat 1-layer glass production piece. 18x18 with bumpy texture underside. Tried Castalot but depressions too deep to allow air escape. Sand works best, but techinique needs refining. Must be easily repeatable for production. PM or email please, or post any questions for clarification. Thanks! (Also posting under Kiln Casting--not sure which catagory is best.)

Have you tried cnc milled fiber board?

That's what I use to make textured tiles, back splashes, etc.

What type of fiber board do you use for milling, Rick and where do you source it?

I buy ceramic fiber board from

http://www.burnabyinsulation.com/

I use 1/2" and 1" board and either hand cut it or have it cnc'd depending on the detail.

Barbara, check Email

Rick Wilton wrote:I buy ceramic fiber board from

http://www.burnabyinsulation.com/

I use 1/2" and 1" board and either hand cut it or have it cnc'd depending on the detail.

I'm sorry, I've never. Bought fiber board. Could you ce more specific at exactly which one you buy.

Thank you Rick

There are 3 factors to consider when buying fiber boards: temperature, density, and thickness. Density is measured by weight, pounds per cubic foot, or the metric alternative, kilograms per cubic meter. If you look up the specifications on the Unifrax website, you can get a sense of Light Density, medium density or High.

I prefer to work with 2300ºF, High density (HD), and 1" thick. However there are reasons to deviate from those choices. Some sizes of board are only available in low density. High density boards are already rigidized.

The playing field is ever changing. The 2 major manufacturers are Unifrax and Thermal Ceramics. Then there are the Chinese. Both majors also make fiber stuff in China. Over on the west coast, you have McGills warehouse. Last I looked they sell only LD boards. I once bought a case of LD boards from them and they were so poorly made that the edges were flapping in the wind with no hardener in them at all. I know of at least 2 east coast sources for much better Chinese boards. I do not know about other west coast sources. Unifrax and Thermal ceramics have distributors all over the map.

http://www.ceramicfiberonline.com/home.php
http://www.ceramaterials.com/productsoverview.html