WarmGlass.com

I know most of you do much more complex stuff. I am hoping to get a larger kiln by Christmas, (I can only fit a 6" shelf in my little Aim,) but here are some cabs I just finished wrapping -



I can't wait to try some big stuff!

Very nice. I like dichro, and people are always willing to pay a butt-load of money for it. You are cutting a grove on the edge of the cab for the silver wire?

Judd

Thanks!
Yes, using a channel-grinding bit for this.

Your cabs are looking good! I just bought a jewelry bit yesterday and can't wait to try it out. I checked out your website and now I want to make beads too - gorgeous work!

Thanks, Susan. What a nice thing to say!

Quill,

I just received my channel bit today and had to try it out right away. I tried it on some cabs from my fugly bucket. It's a good thing! I generally top my cabs with clear glass. When I used the new bit I could see the channel as a cloudy ring around the cab because it ground into the clear. Am I doing something wrong? I have it placed as low as I can get it. Maybe I'm grinding too far in? I've only tried it on two cabs so I'll keep trying. Do I need to change the way I lay out my cabs? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Sharon

Sharon,

If the "cloudy ring" that you're talking about is part of the groove you just ground...fire-polishing your cab a bit would bring back the transparency. Hmmm...another thought...do you have the bit in upside down? Perhaps the grinding edge is up too high?

pam

artisand wrote:Quill,

I just received my channel bit today and had to try it out right away. I tried it on some cabs from my fugly bucket. It's a good thing! I generally top my cabs with clear glass. When I used the new bit I could see the channel as a cloudy ring around the cab because it ground into the clear. Am I doing something wrong? I have it placed as low as I can get it. Maybe I'm grinding too far in? I've only tried it on two cabs so I'll keep trying. Do I need to change the way I lay out my cabs? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Sharon

Sounds like you are going to deep with the bit -- you only need a shallow groove for the wire to stay in place.

- Paul

When I used the new bit I could see the channel as a cloudy ring around the cab because it ground into the clear. Am I doing something wrong? I have it placed as low as I can get it. Maybe I'm grinding too far in? I've only tried it on two cabs so I'll keep trying. Do I need to change the way I lay out my cabs? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Sharon, it does sound like you are grinding too deep. A little groove works great & I have found the deeper I cut into the glass the more of a problem I have with chipping. And for positioning the height, I just lay a cab against the wheel (with the grinder off,) & eyeball it to get the channel centered halfway down the cab, then tighten the key. Good luck, it is a great toy! [/quote]

Thanks for the advice.

Pam, the cloudiness is from the channel going through the clear glass that tops my cabs and goes down over the sides. I have never fire-polished anything. To what temp do I go? If I already have sterling wire in it, would it still fire- polish, would it be hot enough to tarnish the silver? I cannot get silver to polish up after using it to insert into the glass to form a loop at the top. I have some fine silver on order for this purpose. I know I could just unwrap the cab, just curious about what happens with fire-polishing.

Sounds like I am grinding too far in. Can't put the bit on upside down, Pam, so that isn't it. I think I have it as low as it goes but I'll check that again. Thanks again for all your advice. I'll keep at it!

Sharon

Quill, Your work is very nice.

Jane

HI Jane,Thanks so much for the nice compliment!

Your work is great--I still want to get some mushrooms from you for my mother-in-law--are you still making them?
Amy

Quill ,

Just wondering what gauge wire you are using? I am just starting to do some wire wrapping and have been using 22 guage 1/2 hard. On some of my smaller pieces - 3/4" square - I have tried 24 gauge. Whatcha think?

Suan

I can't believe I typed my name wrong - duh!

Susan not Suan

Hi Susan,

I have not been wrapping for long but 22 & 24 work fine for me. I use soft wire though because I twist it quite tight in the channel around my cabs & I find 1/2 hard tends to chip them. If you are not doing it that way halfhard works great.

Hi Amy,

Thanks so much! I have a few. I will be making more in the next few days. If you want to pm me your email address I will send you the details.