Fine line sifter

[Geo]

Anyone have experience using these tools? I want to lay precise lines of a combo of Bullseye 01/08 frit/powder in pate de verre. Any suggestions? Thanks.

http://www.fusionheadquarters.com/product_p/finsif-.htm

http://www.delphiglass.com/fusing-suppl ... ifter-1-16

http://www.arrowsprings.com/html/sifters___pens.html

[Valerie Adams]

I haven't used those, but I do have a Power Vibe, which is not much more than a vibrating dental flosser with tubes for your enamel/frit. The nice thing is, the guy has done all the work for you:
http://www.bearfootart.com/catalog.php?category=79

I'm editing this: I see they've upgraded their vibe tool to something that looks more proprietary. The one I have is exactly the same as a flosser!

[Brad Walker]

Anyone have experience using these tools? I want to lay precise lines of a combo of Bullseye 01/08 frit/powder in pate de verre.

If you're looking to lay down a very precise line, like the kind of thing you could draw with a Sharpie, then none of these kinds of tools are likely to work. The line is a bit shaky and you need to clean it up with a dry paintbrush or similar tool. That's fairly easy on a sheet of glass, but may not be possible on top of a pate de verre piece.

Also, most of these work with powder, but not necessarily a mixture of powder and frit.

(Assume you're using the powder/frit dry, if you're using a mixture wet, there are other tools that might work better than the sifters.)

[Morganica]

I tried (and got rid of) the PowerVibe, just didn't work for me. The sifters work, but the reservoir is usually too small and takes a lot of refilling. And if you live where there's a lot of humidity, it can be a pain getting the powder to fall correctly.

I generally use a jeweler's tweezers to lay in powder detail in pate de verre. That's a long pair of tweezers with a flat, square scoop on the end. You can get them from jeweler's supply stores.

You fill the scoop about half-full of powder, tap it gently to settle it, and then draw it along wherever you want the line. There's enough vibration, usually, to slide the powder out in a very thin line. Once you get the hang of it, you can draw very straight lines with it--curved lines take longer to learn.

If I really want precision in pate de verre, though, I do more of a subtractive process, removing the powder I don't want to create the line. I have three square, flat-edged and very soft brushes I use only for this: Dip the very clean brush in water and touch it to a paper towel to drain off the excess.

Then rest the brush at a low angle on the refractory, touching very slightly below where you want your line. Push the brush into the exact edge of the line, and then lift the brush straight up. The damp brush will pull the excess powder cleanly off the refractory. Dip the brush in water to get rid of the powder, and repeat.

[Geo]

Thanks for the helpful information. That jewelers tweezer/scoop tool looks pretty handy. I also use the reductive process. Works great.