[TheForge] glass doors & glass shaping

[Bob Ehrenberger]

Ralph,

We have a shop near here that specilizes in slumped and fused glass art.

She showed me her kiln and said that she runs it at 500F. Takes several
hours at that temp, It would be faster at a higher temp but you would loose
some control.

Robert Ehrenberger
Shelbyville, Mo.
eforge at centurytel.net

----Original message----

From: "Ralph Sproul" <brhlbsmt at mcttelecom.com>
Subject: RE: [TheForge] glass doors & glass shaping


On another glass tangent, I'm making 15 sconces for a ski area currently -
and the glass is to be "slumped" to the compound curves of the light
fixture.  Anyone have suggestions on how to build glass molds for slumping
and some do's and don'ts before I get to far along?  Just curious if anyone
has done any of these types of projects.
My current train of thought is to slump over the curve to relax the lens to
shape going down on the ends.  I'll use 3/8 plate to shape to the outside
radius of the frame to get the form, and brace the steel plate with gussets
from the rear to work with and not distort.  Any ideas what temps slumping
occurs at? How will glass release from steel?  Can sides to shape the glass
be done in a prior mold?
I'll be meeting with the glass artist next week when I get the proto type
done to discuss this and he'll have some input for sure - but I was
wondering if someone has dealt with this making and shaping of glass lenses
before?  It would be nice to have some kind of a clue before I walk in the
door.

Ralph