Frit size choices

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Don Burt
Posts: 574
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2003 8:45 pm
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
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Frit size choices

Post by Don Burt »

When I layer glass for stained glass pieces, I fill in the gaps with powder. I buy the powder rather than try to make it, usually. It works. But I wonder if there would be any advantage to using a higher size frit. Would fine or larger work better? Some criteria I would consider are:

Can a greater volume be mounded up in the gap to effect a flatter seam?
Is it cheaper?
Is the result more transparent? (I usually work transparent)
Is less heat work required to achieve flat and smooth? I would almost always prefer not to go full fuse temps and have to deal with shape change. 1425°F with a 5 min hold works ok with powder usually.

Thanks in advance.
Kevin Midgley
Posts: 773
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 11:36 am
Location: Tofino, British Columbia, Canada

Re: Frit size choices

Post by Kevin Midgley »

powder tends to be self insulating because of the air between the granules.
if you have a range of sizes of grit, then they can nestle into the spaces between each other.
bigger granules will in general be clearer as trapped air can make a piece not look as clear.
However why change if what you are doing is working?
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