Search found 48 matches

by Geo
Tue May 24, 2016 2:09 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Emissions and studio safety
Replies: 3
Views: 6801

Emissions and studio safety

The recent events has made me wonder about just what is happening to the air in my own studio if I'm fusing or casting with red colored glass, for instance. Any thoughts?
by Geo
Fri Apr 17, 2015 1:53 pm
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Talc as an investment ingredient for pate de verre?
Replies: 7
Views: 14917

Re: Talc as an investment ingredient for pate de verre?

Thanks, Bert. I took this to 1375 and it held up well. Not sure that it's the right answer for my original problem though. I think I'm just lucky that the glass didn't crack. I also did a comparison test with a similar piece packed over a mold made of just plaster and silica. Those pieces turned out...
by Geo
Fri Apr 17, 2015 10:01 am
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Talc as an investment ingredient for pate de verre?
Replies: 7
Views: 14917

Re: Talc as an investment ingredient for pate de verre?

Thought I'd report back on my experience with this. When mixing up the dry ingredients with water, the mix started to thicken very quickly so I felt like I had little working time. But the mold was quite smooth and it held up very well. However, it stuck to the glass like crazy after firing. I slowl...
by Geo
Thu Apr 16, 2015 10:31 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Affixing thin pieces of glass to wood
Replies: 1
Views: 3241

Affixing thin pieces of glass to wood

Hi Everyone!

I have an idea for a mixed-media piece in which I'd like to affix some very thin pate de verre to wood. Is there an adhesive that is best for something like this? I may also consider cold-connections with rivets if it fits in the overall design.

Thanks!
by Geo
Wed Apr 01, 2015 4:20 pm
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Talc as an investment ingredient for pate de verre?
Replies: 7
Views: 14917

Talc as an investment ingredient for pate de verre?

Hello everyone! I've been looking over some old notes I have on in pate de verre and I came upon something that was written in the late 90's about Christina Kirk's methods for pate de verre. It refers to packing glass over a mold (e.g like a hump mold) which is something I've been trying lately with...
by Geo
Thu Nov 06, 2014 8:57 am
Forum: Newcomer Forum
Topic: Fusing in small kiln with side elements
Replies: 6
Views: 10068

Re: Fusing in small kiln with side elements

I'm curious, why the need to adjust the firing schedule? If you have a kiln with a thermocouple and programmable controller, what difference does it make if the elements are on the top, or sides, or both?
by Geo
Wed Nov 05, 2014 8:56 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Fire polishing observation and question
Replies: 3
Views: 5539

Re: Fire polishing observation and question

Thanks for the reply! I really find all of this quite fascinating.

In the future I'll be firing the different pieces separately. As I adjust the schedules accordingly, would you suggest increasing the time I am holding the glass at the highest temperature, or increasing the temperature?
by Geo
Tue Nov 04, 2014 11:23 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Fire polishing observation and question
Replies: 3
Views: 5539

Fire polishing observation and question

I am making pendants (ranging in size from about 1.5 to 2 inches) from Bullseye frits and powders, no sheet glass at all. Some I fired following a basic full fusing schedule, and some I made in small plaster/silica molds and fired following a schedule I use for pate de verre. After grinding the edge...
by Geo
Mon Sep 01, 2014 6:14 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Venting my studio
Replies: 6
Views: 12516

Re: Venting my studio

I use an overhead fan in the ceiling above my kiln to help with the hot air, and open a window/door to bring in fresh air. I question the use the same vent to remove the bad stuff that gets in the air from powders, fiber papers etc. Seems you'll just be circulating them around more vs. letting them ...
by Geo
Mon Jul 07, 2014 12:55 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Kiln Relays
Replies: 51
Views: 68942

Re: Kiln Relays

Cynthia, did you install the mercury relay yourself? I usually have a kiln repair guy from a local ceramic shop change my relays for me. I have a Paragon GL24. Last time he was here I asked him about installing a mercury relay, he said he's never installed one before. I think I need to switch over. ...
by Geo
Sat May 31, 2014 9:15 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Compressor recommendations?
Replies: 28
Views: 33283

Re: Compressor recommendations?

I'm curious about using compressed air to help separate 2 part molds, and for general use in a kiln-casting studio. How do teaching facilities supply compressed air into their work spaces?
by Geo
Sun May 04, 2014 4:22 pm
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Calculating amount of glass for a casting by weight of clay?
Replies: 5
Views: 9791

Re: Calculating amount of glass for a casting by weight of c

Found my notes from an old project. A pretty soft and moist clay. Weight of clay x 1.3 worked perfectly. Thanks everyone.
by Geo
Fri Apr 25, 2014 10:57 am
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Plaster mold
Replies: 11
Views: 22045

Re: Plaster mold

Cynthia, do you happen to know what is in the Higuchi's mix instead of pottery plaster? I hope you report back with your experiments. For me, with pate de verre specifically, my main focus right now is properly packing my molds. Some of those molds include fine details on walls which are quite verti...
by Geo
Mon Apr 21, 2014 4:51 pm
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Calculating amount of glass for a casting by weight of clay?
Replies: 5
Views: 9791

Calculating amount of glass for a casting by weight of clay?

Hello,

Can someone please remind me how to calculate the amount of glass I will need for a casting, based on the weight of a clay model?

Thank you!
by Geo
Thu Sep 12, 2013 9:05 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: MR97
Replies: 2
Views: 4637

Re: MR97

Thank you!
by Geo
Wed Sep 11, 2013 2:47 pm
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: MR97
Replies: 2
Views: 4637

MR97

I'm using MR97 spray on a stainless steel bowl for draping. The instructions say to brush the mold and spray on a single coat for subsequent firings. After my first fire, the mold still looks very well coated and I'm wondering how necessary it is to repeat the MR97 coat before firing again.
by Geo
Thu Aug 29, 2013 8:48 am
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Plaster model for a plaster/silica mold
Replies: 0
Views: 11300

Plaster model for a plaster/silica mold

Hello everyone!

I have a very simple (no undercuts) plaster model, 6" x 8" x 2", from which I'd like to make a plaster/silica mold. Has anyone done this? Any tips on mold release? I'm assuming as long as I coat the plaster well, I shouldn't have a problem.
by Geo
Tue Aug 27, 2013 1:42 pm
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Fiberglass chopped strand mat material
Replies: 9
Views: 17682

Re: Fiberglass chopped strand mat material

Thanks. I got some at my local marine supply store. Not sure that it was any less expensive, but I wanted it today. Really need to be better at planning.
by Geo
Tue Aug 27, 2013 8:40 am
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Fiberglass chopped strand mat material
Replies: 9
Views: 17682

Fiberglass chopped strand mat material

Where does one find this material? I want to add some to a plaster/silica mold.

Thanks