fire polish both sides

This is the main board for discussing general techniques, tools, and processes for fusing, slumping, and related kiln-forming activities.

Moderators: Brad Walker, Tony Smith

Post Reply
ironman55
Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2014 2:02 pm

fire polish both sides

Post by ironman55 »

I normally fire with the intent of only one side showing. What is I want to do a piece that sits on a table and both sides can be seen?
What if I do a tack fuse of, lets say buffalo chips and I want both sides exposed?
Any particular techniques?
Thanks, Joe
Rick Wilton
Posts: 273
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2003 8:18 pm
Location: Calgary, Canada
Contact:

Re: fire polish both sides

Post by Rick Wilton »

anti-gravity machine???

The only way to get a totally smooth finish on both sides is to have both sides not touching a shelf. Basically a drop ring is your only practical way.
Rick Wilton
Bert Weiss
Posts: 2339
Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2003 12:06 am
Location: Chatham NH
Contact:

Re: fire polish both sides

Post by Bert Weiss »

Drop slump, and cut the superstructure off. Or, work with a glass blower to do a rollup.
Bert

Bert Weiss Art Glass*
http://www.customartglass.com
Furniture Lighting Sculpture Tableware
Architectural Commissions
Morganica
Posts: 1079
Joined: Mon May 19, 2003 6:19 pm
Location: Portland, OR
Contact:

Re: fire polish both sides

Post by Morganica »

I take a slightly different approach. Vibratory tumbler.
Cynthia Morgan
Marketeer, Webbist, Glassist
http://www.morganica.com/bloggery
http://www.cynthiamorgan.com

"I wrote, therefore I was." (me)
jjeakle
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2005 4:34 pm

Re: fire polish both sides

Post by jjeakle »

I didn't think it was possible either but you can come realy really close at least with a ball mold.
Say you have a 12" diameter disc 1/2" thick and you're going to slump it in a ball mold. You've already fired the disc so one side is polished and the other kiln shelf side is rough. Normally people give up on the kiln shelf side and put that side down in the mold since it will never shine again, unless you do a drop or hours of cold working at the end - at least that's what you always hear.
There is a way around this, here's a great trick, I do it all the time. If you lap grind the rough side to a 220 grit (which is very quick and easy) and then put the already fire polished side facing down touching the mold and the lap grinded side facing up and fire to max temp 1190 x 90 minutes, you'll slump and fire polish all at once. Because the side facing up has been already cold worked with the 220 grit it will fire polish at a much lower temp and the already polished side will maintain almost 100% of its shine as long as the mold is very smooth. Final product, you really can't tell one side from the other - both glossy. If you think about it, it makes sense. Not sure if it would would work the same with a really sooth kiln shelf.
Jim
Post Reply