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I have a few questions regarding kilns and power: I have at my shop only 208V Three Phase power. I have a couple of casting kilns that are rated for 240V Single Phase at 45 Amps. Has anyone had any actual experience using a kiln like this: 1: As-is, on 208V If so, how much more time does it take to ...

Spectrum Studios in Salt Lake City has some experience in casting pretty large borosilicate mirror blanks.

I had never heard of this, and welcome the information. Will you please tell us how it turned out?

I like your idea. We have a makerspace in Salt Lake City with a CNC router. The thing I might try, is to simply pour a flat slab of R&R investment, and carve it. If I find that it works, I will post the before and after shots. The stuff is so soft, it should carve nice.

This is it! Take some time to look through the older postings. There are some very knowledgeable artists that contribute here. As you get involved we hope you will also contribute. Ask questions on what you are working on. There are experienced kiln builders, and people with all of the formulas, and...

I have a large amount of extra fine glass balls ballotini. It's small enough to be described as a powder. I would like to do a little experimentation using it for the clear base with which to mix powder colors for Pate de Verre. If I was to take "any" powdered glasses, i.e. fritted bottle ...

It is a dry ramming material manufactured specifically for use in the installation of pre-formed alumina crucibles and ladles for the steel industry.

http://www.engineeredceramics.com/produ ... erial.html

Does anyone know if "Spinel" ramming refractory material would be useful as a component in making your own investment for lost wax casting, or for bead release, or for any other "glass" use?:
Al2O3 89%
SiO2 0.5%
MgO 10%

I have a whole bunch available...

If I were going, the first place I'd visit would be Gaffer Glass!

Get a copy of the book: "The Joy of Coldworking" Everyone should have this book!
http://amzn.to/GJBXzT
If you watch you local classifieds for "lapidary equipment" you may be able to find some useful tools. There may be a local rock collector's club, which is also a great source.

If you want just a nice "frosting" kind of like on a frosted vodka bottle, use a (little bit safer) product: "Lerite" http://www.seppic.com/industrial-specialties/frosting-glass/lerite-@/1243/view-1013-seproduit.html;jsessionid=-nf0CYjlx8c-F6Cn5fLLeg__ Like Richard Jolley, Tommie...

Or, Mineral oil, or soy wax, etc. I have been experimenting on different waxes. I have found that you can blend about anything, and probably make it work. See some of my experiments here: http://igneousglassworks.com/

It's used as a concrete additive. Try concrete / cement suppliers.

I know Milon Townsend has been selling Gelflex too.

http://www.milontownsend.com/contact.html

He also has a great book and DVD on kiln casting

http://thebluemoonpress.com/index.php?m ... ucts_id=36

If you go to the website I mentioned, and click on the studio link, it shows other photos. They made a very large boro lens blank. shows the kiln they made it in too. I also know of a guy with a defunct ceramic lab that has some very large very high temp molyD bell style kilns for sintering ceramics...

You might contact these folks. In the photos that play, you will see some pictures of a large telescope lens blank they made on a forklift:

http://glassfirestudio.com/

If someone can find one of the out of print CDROMs, I'd love to buy one.

I would recommend getting the Higuchi DVD from the Corning Museum.

http://www.cmog.org/keywords/shin-ichi-higuchi

I great resource for you is to view Milon Townsend's DVD on Glass casting.

http://thebluemoonpress.com/index.php?m ... ucts_id=33

If you are making your own molds, and if you use an investment such as R&R 910 glass cast, you do not need any kiln wash. The glass releases beautifully!