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Post by MrP on Feb 12, 2018 13:18:29 GMT -5
I cut mine with a regular wood saw blade on the miter saw then cut grooves on the inside with the skill saw. I have found no real easy way to bust them up. I have also found that there is a big difference as to how easy they take a polish............................MrP
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Post by MrP on Feb 12, 2018 9:28:26 GMT -5
I have 2. A larger 240 volt Skutt and a smaller 120 volt one that I am not sure of the brand. I got both very cheap but have never used either one. They are both manual control so have been researching how to use them. You sure got a great buy on the one you bought........................MrP Well, glass I am getting from the local artist is 100% Spectrum COE 96. It has a specific 4 step heat schedule with 4 temps, 4 ramp rates and 4 hold times. So, the Sentry controller sure comes in handy for walking away from the kiln. Following the heat schedule is critical when casting big thick bricks of glass. Fusing pendants is much more user friendly. I bought an old Skutt yesterday off of Craig's list for little of nothing with the old type control. A big stackable 220VAC unit. I want to use only one of the sections for doing like 18 inch plates of glass. Has a top opening lid. But lid has no coils, not the best for glass. And I do not like the control as it is too manual for my time schedule. So, I was looking on Ebay at automatic kiln controllers. My education is not into controls so I am intimidated. Michael, I believe these cheap controllers with a K thermocouple for needed 1400 to 1600F will do the trick but me not sure. $85, looks like it has every thing needed. Perhaps you are more electrically smart. Glass is typically heated at 300F per hour, held at various temps for 10 to 60 minutes, all in about 4 steps. Bricks are taking 20 hours, maybe 8 hours in cooling. Peak temp is usually 1450F. From Ebay: www.ebay.com/itm/PID-Temperature-Controller-Kiln-Probe-SSR-Relay-40A-HS-ABS-Box-Pottery-Glass-F-C/122176024486?hash=item1c72422fa6:g:WiQAAOSwgkRVU7-KThanks for the info James. I am going to check into that and hopefully can find one that will work good....................MrP
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Post by MrP on Feb 11, 2018 20:15:17 GMT -5
It's been a crazy couple of years. I moved from Washington to California and started law school last year. However, I finally got the tumblers going just before Christmas, and came across an old batch of basalt that I wanted to polish. It's not as shiny and pretty as the obsidian, but it came out OK for basically black river rock. I'll see if I can get a better photo. Looks like my depth of field was too narrow. (The green/brown color on them is the redwood tree above them, getting reflected.) So here's the basalt that popped out of the Lot-o this afternoon: Basalt by Inga Holmquist, on Flickr Glad to see you back! Nice batch.................................MrP
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Post by MrP on Feb 11, 2018 19:49:53 GMT -5
James what model # is your kiln?....................................MrP It's a Paragon E-10 Michael with a Sentry Epress 3.0 controller. It had never been used, I paid $450. Inside is 9x9x9. You have a kiln ? I have 2. A larger 240 volt Skutt and a smaller 120 volt one that I am not sure of the brand. I got both very cheap but have never used either one. They are both manual control so have been researching how to use them. You sure got a great buy on the one you bought........................MrP
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Post by MrP on Feb 11, 2018 8:40:02 GMT -5
James what model # is your kiln?....................................MrP
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Post by MrP on Feb 10, 2018 10:16:52 GMT -5
1dave Thank you for another great post. I love your technical articles. The photos/charts/maps are wonderful. Understanding the chemistry related to geological events which created specific rocks is very valuable. Thanks you for paying attention, but as my mind finds it harder and harder to find nouns it is becoming a struggle searching for the words I need. I am continually revising what I wrote before because of the things I left out. Early this morning I realized I left out jade yesterday from metamorphic rocks. The articles are so long already. Will photos make them too long? I am grateful to RTH for allowing me to try and keep my mind sharp. This is going to be another long thread and I'll have to put a "transporter" in each post to help visitors move through the mess. I am grateful to 1dave for allowing me to try and keep my mind sharp..............................MrP
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Post by MrP on Feb 9, 2018 15:19:35 GMT -5
Can't wait for this thread to update!............................MrP
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Post by MrP on Feb 8, 2018 15:01:50 GMT -5
rockjunquie I have no real clue how you are going to use these videos but if I don't know who you are I will have no real reason to click on the video. If the pendant is the thing I see before the video starts I know what it is about. I say pendant then the way you have it set up now..............MrP
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Post by MrP on Feb 8, 2018 9:10:15 GMT -5
James I was thinking if you figure out how to make thick blocks you could layer with color and clear layers. When the block is finished glue it to a block to cut through the clear layer then you could see the colors to maybe shape the pendant to a nice color and shape. You may be able to find very special colors and shapes to sell for more money therefor making it worth the extra effort. Just thinking.......................MrP
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Post by MrP on Feb 8, 2018 9:00:33 GMT -5
You would put the chalk or fiber in when you build the original. Are you putting a clear cap on? Kind of hard to do if not working with flat glass. Maybe two thin plates sandwiched. I'm just melting giant bricks and sawing or hammering them into pendant tumbles Billy. I won't be fusing individual pendants. 6"x 6" x 2" Glass brick ready for slabbing in the 18 inch saw. Will make another mold for thicker 6" x 6" x 4" bricks for easier clamping, about max for my kiln. ![](https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4770/39437801894_88936634c2_c.jpg) James I am saying spread the color out more. That is a neat looking jumble of colors but with more clear they would be separated more and I think may look even better. With all the colors you would still have a concentration of colors. Sounds like you have a large supply of colored glass but if this really goes well for you even a large supply can get small in a hurry......................................MrP
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Post by MrP on Feb 7, 2018 11:37:46 GMT -5
It is with great pleasure that I watch the work that you do!..........................MrP
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Post by MrP on Feb 7, 2018 11:35:00 GMT -5
jamesp Not trying to tell you how to do your job but if you mixed clear in with the colored it would make the colored go further and I would think the pendant options would be greater. I do like what you are creating but the cheap me thinks stretching out the colored glass would just bring more options to the table. When I buy glass to cut I like finding pieces with clear in them because I like that look in a pendant. Maybe that is just me?...............MrP
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Post by MrP on Feb 7, 2018 6:00:30 GMT -5
Happy Birthday young man!............................MrP
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Post by MrP on Jan 31, 2018 11:28:07 GMT -5
Sent msg.................MrP
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Post by MrP on Jan 31, 2018 5:08:43 GMT -5
Looks like a person has to not sleep to beat captbob to the rocks!. Saw the news Flash at 3:00 AM but that was too late. ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) .......................MrP
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Post by MrP on Jan 28, 2018 14:08:35 GMT -5
Like them both but that wingate is beyond beautiful!..................MrP
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Post by MrP on Jan 28, 2018 9:08:39 GMT -5
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Post by MrP on Jan 24, 2018 13:27:09 GMT -5
I have seen a fair amount of wood Have seen pieces with nice knots but have never seen a complete crotch. NEAT..........................MrP
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Post by MrP on Jan 24, 2018 10:52:54 GMT -5
Thanks everybody for the nice comments. It has been a wonderful learning curve over the years. My jewelry making has mainly came about because of this board. I have watched many members make everything from tumbled cabs to fantastic wraps, and lets not forget arrow heads, swords, walking canes, jewel trees and many other things, so I had to give some things a try. I love making the pendant and earring sets and love the fact that my wife and daughters enjoy wearing them. Also my Mom and Mother-in-law have many sets. I have sold many sets also but all of the money has been donated to charity's.
The fireplace screen has worked great but as you can see it is full and she has more sets that need to be displayed. I was very happy when she wanted to display the jewelry as art. It is a nice conversion piece when any body comes over..................................MrP
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Post by MrP on Jan 23, 2018 14:00:50 GMT -5
When we go to a show or sale my wife makes me buy more then I planed on. I make pendant and earring sets that both my wife and two daughter wear most every day. Each year for Christmas they each get sets made from the same rock, glass, or bowling ball. The girls have about 100 sets and the wife has over 175. Sure is fun that she enjoys it as much as I do..........................................MrP You, Sir, are a star 🌟 among stars. Well done! Would love to see pics of your bride's collection. I have tried many times but have never been able to get a good picture because of where it hangs. Hope this works...........................MrP ![](//storage.proboards.com/1258779/thumbnailer/aPeCDcUoeOPTJQyzhwYz.png)
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