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I would like suggestions as to the correct equipment used to polish the bottom dull side of fused bowls coming out of the kiln.
Tamara baskin

Tamara Baskin wrote:I would like suggestions as to the correct equipment used to polish the bottom dull side of fused bowls coming out of the kiln.
Tamara baskin

It's very difficult, and time consuming, to polish a large curved surface like that. I suggest you sand blast the bottom of your blank prior to firing. This will give you a dull sheen on the bottom, after slumping, that is more resistant to marks and fingerprints than unfired sandblasting. Brock

Tamara Baskin wrote:I would like suggestions as to the correct equipment used to polish the bottom dull side of fused bowls coming out of the kiln.
Tamara baskin

The only solution I know if is to do a drop slump through an empty hole, cut off the overhang (small glass cutter or very large diamond saw), grind it flat on a lap wheel and polish it out on two or three vibralaps. Many thousands of dollars later, you can do it. See the work of Stephen Schlanser. He sometimes blasts patterns to avoid some polishing or cover blemishes.

A duller back surface is characteristic of fused work. If you're interested in "glossy on 2 sides" work, glassblowing is a better technique.

Using Bullseye iridized glass with the irid side down, on a nice, smooth, kilnwashed shelf gives a nice bottom.

Steve

You can use a flat lap and grind the blank and polish before you slump.

Dick