need some help

Karen in Chile · Post by **Karen in Chile** » Fri Nov 28, 2003 2:37 pm

hi there, I've been firing glass just for one month, my results have been great and also a dissaster. Does it matter if y fire at the same time pieces of different sizes? May I fuse and slump at the same firing? Please don't laugh at my questions, or my english,

Karen

Susan Moore · Post by **Susan Moore** » Fri Nov 28, 2003 2:50 pm

Karen,

I am very new to fusing as well but some basic info for you - No, you can not fuse and slump at the same time - fusing occurs at a higher temp than slumping. Firing different size pieces can be okay but may not work out well for certain projects. I would recommend that you search the archives for more information, buy a book on fusing - like Brad Walker's book available right here on this site, and try to find a beginner class to teach you the basics.

Best luck,

Susan

Karen in Chile · Post by **Karen in Chile** » Fri Nov 28, 2003 3:43 pm

thanks Susan for responding that quick, I was almost turning on the kiln. Now I will reload it correctly

Karen

twinkler2 · Post by **twinkler2** » Fri Nov 28, 2003 5:37 pm

Hi Karen in Chile

I'm a new fuser too

Susan is absolutely right
I would like to second the purchase of Brad's book

It is worth every cent. I also think this board has been a great resource for the beginner- to- expert.

The people on the board are kind and very helpful

Have fun fusing

Me Kim
I don't get how to use the emoticons on the side yet - but I'm sending a big smile

Susan Moore · Post by **Susan Moore** » Fri Nov 28, 2003 7:40 pm

Karen,

I forgot to mention that there is also a tutorial on this site (look right next to the warm glass logo) that should give you some quick basic info too. I have used this board a great deal and recently starting searching through the Old Archive as well - it's a fabulous way to pass the time while you are waiting on the kiln to finish cooking your latest experiments - I think I spent 2 or 3 hours reading this morning. Glass people are wonderful!

Susan

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Fri Nov 28, 2003 9:57 pm

Well, maybe. Of course you can fuse and slump at the same time as long as you consider the process, and the trade offs.

Fusing does occur at a higher temp than slump, so your piece will slump first and fuse second. In a shallow mold that may be acceptable. I find it works with just a slight edge aberation where the top sheet actually moves more than the bottom one. I don't find it objectionable on some pieces. But the deeper, or steeper the sides of the mold the more objectionable it becomes, so it's a trade off.

You will ALWAYS be best off flat fusing and then slumping, but if you never take a chance you'll never find new ways to do things that work well for you.

Good luck and keep in touch.

Jerry

Brian and Jenny Blanthorn · Mon Dec 01, 2003 5:34 am

Karen in Chile wrote:. Does it matter if y fire at the same time pieces of different sizes? May I ,
Karen

Hi Karen

We R very international here

But I dont think we got anyone from Chile

But we do have Hugo in Patagonia

Yes U can

But U need 2 enshure evneness of temperature - evenivity

Also if peices R higher than others then they will tend 2 pool out more

As a guide 2 firing glass it is better usually 2 fire slow n mayB soak

Glass near elements will B hotter unless U baffle em

Brian

Karen in Chile · Post by **Karen in Chile** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 6:01 pm

Hi Brian, sorry for this, but what do you mean by buffle?
I'll appreciate your reply
Karen.

Brock · Post by **Brock** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 6:05 pm

He means to shield the heat source, (element) with something. Cut up kiln shelves, bricks, kiln furniture, anything that can take the heat. This allows the material used as a baffle to act as a radiator, to absorb, then release the heat from the elements. It makes a more even, diffused heat source.
Brock

Karen in Chile · Post by **Karen in Chile** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 6:15 pm

well, I suppose another shelf, between the direct heat and the pieces of glass will work??!!

Brock · Post by **Brock** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 6:17 pm

Karen in Chile wrote:well, I suppose another shelf, between the direct heat and the pieces of glass will work??!!

Well . . . it would. Baffling is normally only done in side fired kilns, to avoid the possibility of uneven heating, and thermal shock. If you have a top fired kiln, don't bother. Brock

Joanne Owsley · Post by **Joanne Owsley** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 9:00 pm

Hi, Karen,
I'm no expert, but I often fuse and slump the same piece in one step - especially when I'm working with float glass. It's a matter of knowing your kiln and lots and lots o' trial and error. If you don't want to go through as much trial n' error, fuse first, then slump. Still, you'll find it will take some time to get to know your kiln.
Additionally, I often do multiple pieces at once. There are "hot spots" in my kiln that I try to avoid.
I don't think that you can expect to fuse one piece and slump another in the same firing, and get really good results with your slumped piece.
A final thought.... I imagine that you are putting so much thought and work into your art, there really isn't much point in trying to rush it.

Brian and Jenny Blanthorn · Tue Dec 02, 2003 5:29 am

Karen in Chile wrote:Hi Brian, sorry for this, but what do you mean by buffle?
I'll appreciate your reply
Karen.

In addition 2 Brocks reply

Try a search on, in the here, n in the archives

Baffle n Go

Zap n Blastem

Fiber Dizer n Wash

There is few problems in baffling

U can get uneven heat

U can melt the elements

Leave gap at top of baffle

Keep it simple 2 start

Have fun

One thing when u wanna ask more Q's say what U want in the Subject

Brian

WarmGlass.com

need some help

need some help

good tips

Fuse and Slump

Re: need some help

language problems

Re: language problems