Search found 1022 matches

by Tony Smith
Sun Feb 12, 2017 10:25 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: deep texturing in sanblasting ?
Replies: 4
Views: 8283

Re: deep texturing in sanblasting ?

Mike, Jen is right. Deep texture from sandblasting comes from applying resist like white glue or caulking in an irregular manner. The idea is that you apply glue over an area, then texture it with a sponge, brush or fork to get high and low areas and let it dry. As you sandblast, the thin areas erod...
by Tony Smith
Sun Feb 12, 2017 9:57 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: stencils for sanblasting - photoresist or vinyl cutter
Replies: 27
Views: 59229

Re: stencils for sanblasting - photoresist or vinyl cutter

One more point about halftones... if you decide that halftones aren't going to be a regular product, you can always outsource the photo resist. Rayzist will make halftone photo resist for customers... just upload a file and you're off to the races. It's not cheap, but it's very high quality and you ...
by Tony Smith
Sun Feb 12, 2017 9:51 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: stencils for sanblasting - photoresist or vinyl cutter
Replies: 27
Views: 59229

Re: stencils for sanblasting - photoresist or vinyl cutter

I have both and there are pros and cons to each. The photo resist process is best when there is complex artwork with fine lines that would be time consuming or challenging to weed in vinyl, or, as you point out, when doing halftones. Halftones bring their own challenges as you must use a pressure wa...
by Tony Smith
Sat Feb 04, 2017 10:06 am
Forum: Newcomer Forum
Topic: copper wire turning black
Replies: 5
Views: 10031

Re: copper wire turning black

Reaching way back, I remember people using a borax solution (dissolve borax in alcohol) to dip their wire in it prior to putting it in for firing. I think they used regular laundry borax.

Tony
by Tony Smith
Tue Dec 20, 2016 7:01 am
Forum: Photos and Stuff
Topic: Prickly Pear Suncatcher
Replies: 9
Views: 16775

Re: Prickly Pear Suncatcher

Beautiful work, Don.

Tony
by Tony Smith
Tue Nov 15, 2016 6:29 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Copper foil supplier
Replies: 7
Views: 17352

Re: Copper foil supplier

Try Online Metals at http://www.onlinemetals.com.
I've used them before and they have excellent service.

Tony
by Tony Smith
Wed Oct 19, 2016 5:40 am
Forum: Newcomer Forum
Topic: Silver Sand for Sandmold
Replies: 4
Views: 8329

Re: Silver Sand for Sandmold

I'm not familiar with the term "silver sand", but Bert is probably the best resource for your question. He introduced me to alumina hydrate years ago.

Tony
by Tony Smith
Mon Oct 17, 2016 5:15 am
Forum: Photos and Stuff
Topic: Wellspring
Replies: 11
Views: 23594

Re: Wellspring

Congratulations, Dana. It is beautiful.

Tony
by Tony Smith
Sat Oct 08, 2016 7:47 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Mounting glass to aluminum
Replies: 8
Views: 14126

Re: Mounting glass to aluminum

Your weak point will be the copper foil glued to the aluminum which is why I was looking for a different solution for you. An alternative would be to use solid copper ($$$) or perhaps, gluing the copper foil to the aluminum and screwing through the aluminum into a standoff that you in turn glue the ...
by Tony Smith
Fri Oct 07, 2016 7:12 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Mounting glass to aluminum
Replies: 8
Views: 14126

Re: Mounting glass to aluminum

My suggestion would be to look up metal coatings at http://sculpt.com for your copper-on-aluminum solution and then use French cleats to support your panels http://www.panelclip.com

Tony
by Tony Smith
Thu Sep 22, 2016 7:08 pm
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Telescope mirrors
Replies: 7
Views: 16006

Re: Telescope mirrors

Boro is used because of its low coefficient of thermal expansion. In this case, the shape is critical over temperature.

Tony
by Tony Smith
Thu Sep 22, 2016 5:49 am
Forum: Kiln Casting
Topic: Telescope mirrors
Replies: 7
Views: 16006

Re: Telescope mirrors

While borosilicate glass softens at around 1500F, its melting point is around 2200F, and that's what you'll need to cast a billet. The elements in a commercial, electric kiln won't get you to that temperature, and standard bricks will break down above 2300F. If your kiln is made of high temperature ...
by Tony Smith
Sat Jun 04, 2016 7:23 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Disaster! Is this a kiln problem?
Replies: 7
Views: 10905

Re: Disaster! Is this a kiln problem?

Good point.

Why are you firing so hot? You're in the domain of combing temperatures... well beyond where kiln wash breaks down.

Tony
by Tony Smith
Thu Jun 02, 2016 6:20 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Disaster! Is this a kiln problem?
Replies: 7
Views: 10905

Re: Disaster! Is this a kiln problem?

I'm with Brad. Especially with a new kiln shelf, if the kiln wash is too thin (or nonexistent), the glass sticks and tears itself apart as the kiln cools. Are there bits of kiln shelf stuck to the bottom of the glass?

Tony
by Tony Smith
Fri May 20, 2016 9:21 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Bullseye shut down for at least 10 days.
Replies: 1
Views: 3968

Re: Bullseye shut down for at least 10 days.

I hope it's so the DEQ can assess whether the lead is coming from the Bullseye plant or some other local sources including the nearby construction that Jim Jones mentioned.

Fingers crossed.

Tony
by Tony Smith
Sun May 15, 2016 8:19 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: SPECTRUM GLASS CLOSING DOWN
Replies: 29
Views: 70907

Re: SPECTRUM GLASS CLOSING DOWN

I'm surprised that they are blaming excess capacity as a reason for shutting down the entire plant. Perhaps they don't want to let people go, but now they have to let everyone go. I expect there are other reasons for giving up the business.

Tony
by Tony Smith
Thu May 12, 2016 5:33 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: SPECTRUM GLASS CLOSING DOWN
Replies: 29
Views: 70907

Re: SPECTRUM GLASS CLOSING DOWN

A sad day.
by Tony Smith
Wed May 11, 2016 5:09 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Question about Evenheat 2541-9
Replies: 4
Views: 6469

Re: Question about Evenheat 2541-9

It would be easy enough to check, but when I had a relay go bad and lost the side elements, the kiln didn't make it to fusing temp.

Tony
by Tony Smith
Fri May 06, 2016 8:19 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Question about Evenheat 2541-9
Replies: 4
Views: 6469

Re: Question about Evenheat 2541-9

Brad is correct. Also, the top elements alone will not get you to fusing temperature... only to about 1000F.

Tony
by Tony Smith
Wed Mar 23, 2016 5:15 am
Forum: Techniques and Tools
Topic: Silbertschnitt vs Fletcher-Terry circle cutter - experiences?
Replies: 12
Views: 16235

Re: Silbertschnitt vs Fletcher-Terry circle cutter - experiences?

What Brad said. The Silberschnitt is the standard circle cutter across the commercial glass industry for a reason.

Tony