Sandblasting Pattern Bar Slices

[smallbitz]

Do most of you sandbast pattern bar slices before using them in projects? Just curious....

[JestersBaubles]

I do not. I don't have a sand-blaster. Some people clean them up on a lap grinder, but I don't do that, either.

Dana W.

[Greg Rawls]

I sandblast after fusing and coldwork but before final slump.

[smallbitz]

Thanks. I've been sandblasting them before using them; wondering if I'm making more work for myself than necessary. Pretty laborious when I have a large PB project, so far all's been fine, just not sure I really need the extra step.

[JestersBaubles]

You are "safer" sandblasting, since devit is always a concern with the cut edges.

Dana W.

[jim burchett]

Yes, always

[smallbitz]

Okay. I'll keep sandblasting them. Better safe than sorry. I guess it's one of those 'it's fine till it's not', sort of thing. I spend way too much time designing, cutting, etc. the pattern bars to have any issues with them when I finally get them into a project. Appreciate the input!

[smallbitz]

Okay. I'll keep sandblasting them. Better safe than sorry. I guess it's one of those 'it's fine till it's not', sort of thing. I spend way too much time designing, cutting, etc. the pattern bars to have any issues with them when I finally get them into a project. Appreciate the input!

[Stephen Richard]

I spread a layer if fine frit after assembly before firing. No sandblast or grinding after the cutting

[smallbitz]

Between the long and short edges?

[Stephen Richard]

I assemble the whole piece, dam it if necessary. Then just before firing, sprinkle a layer of fine frit over the top of the whole piece

[smallbitz]

I see. Thanks very much!

[twin vision glass]

Perhaps the best rule of thumb is where ever the glass has touched molds or kiln shelves it should be cleaned . I grind just the edges of the pattern bar piece that has touched a surface in the initial firing and also to straighten them but I do nothing accept clean really well with Green scrubby and lay to dry . So there is my two cents. I do a lot of pattern bar lay up so perhaps it might just help out. Les

[JestersBaubles]

Leslie, so you don't worry about devit from the sawed edges? That's always my concern... I've never worried about mold/kiln wash clean up.

(just bought a sand-blaster, however, so my non-blasting days may be over soon. It's about 3 weeks for delivery )

Dana W.

[twin vision glass]

I have only ever had to grind the edge if it touched a mold or kiln shelf while creating the color bar. AND it is just touched to the side of the saw blade to flatten and clean . So even with a 3 inch wide by 20 inch cut , if it is out of the center of the colour bar, I never have to grind anything, it is cleaned with Green scrubby and layed flat to dry and that is all. Perhaps I can find an old thread that also talks about this. Les

[JestersBaubles]

Cool! I always assumed it was a disaster waiting to happen by not sand-blasting my saw-cut pattern bar slices. I figured if a grinder could kick up enough scum to cause devit, a saw blade had to be much worse!

I'm sure I'll find something else to do with that sand blaster...

Dana

[smallbitz]

This is very interesting to me. I always thought that the edges that were in contact with the tile saw were the most likely to be prone to devitrification...

Les, you're saying you grind the sides that touch the mold and kiln shelf (I do too), but just scrub the tile saw edges, correct? Your pattern bar work is amazing, so I'm sure you know the tricks!