Using partially cracked glass in layered piece

[David Jenkins]

I'm working on a piece that consists of three layers to be fused before slumping. The pieces are 16" dia. circles, and so there's a fair amount of glass involved.

One of the layers is BE 1122 (xparent red), one Tekta, and the third 4113 (clear with white confetti and clear stringers). While I was running the circle score in the red glass it cracked, but only about halfway across - and hence the piece never separated into two pieces.

So my questions are:

1. What are the odds the crack will be visible after fusing?
2. If a positive outcome to fusing is iffy, would I be better off cutting a new piece and using the cracked one for smaller projects? Or rolling the dice?
3. I have a little flexibility as to whether the red layer will be sandwiched, placed against the kiln shelf, or fused as the top layer. If I were to persevere with using the cracked piece, would one position be more likely to minimize the probability the crack showing?

Thanks, all.

[rosanna gusler]

every time i use a cracked piece the crack shows.

[David Jenkins]

Thanks, Rosanna. What I thought.

I found another half-sheet of the red last night, wussed out, and cut a new circle. Should make for a less trepidatious fuse.

[Valerie Adams]

If the piece is important, I'd have cut a new circle too since the other glass won't go to waste.

However, if for some reason you had to use that red circle, or you were making a piece that wasn't for a commission, I would only use the red as the top layer since you could monitor how well it was firing. I've used pieces like that, which haven't broken, and they've been fine.

[AmySkewed]

clear fine frit on top a of crack will heal many top layer cracks... but I have had a few that didn't quite disappear.