Page 1 of 1

checks, copper wire, clamshell & insurance

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 8:28 pm
by Michelle Fokos
hello all,

i have a few questions. first off, regarding the proper usage of "check"...there is a check in the glass, the glass checked...?

i use a lot of copper wire in my fused pieces, some completely sealed in the glass, and some of it protruding as loops. (i use 18 guage for the loops, hammered flat). i have been having problems with these "checks" appearing in the glass next to the loops. it doesn't always happen though, just sometimes.

i don't sell these pieces, but am still curious to know if they will eventually break? or does the hairline crack just remain? i have conducted a few experiments with such checked glass, by placing it in a zip lock baggie in the freezer, to see if the cold will cause it to crack even more, and so far there has not been any visible difference in any of the pieces, not even after returning to room temp. is there any rhyme or reason as to when glass will break or not?

now a kiln/insurance question...firstly thanks for all the kiln buying suggestions from many of you...i finally placed my order today for the SKUTT CLAMSHELL!! :) i'm very excited to get it all set up! i still need to hire an electrician to get me wired for it, but now have new concerns after reading the other thread today regarding home owners insurance. i rent, and we have very little contact with our landlord (i think both sided prefer it that way). i'd like to hear from more of you regarding insurance...do you all have insurance, or do some of you take your chances? is it possible for me to get my own policy just for the kiln, and not involve my landlord? or should i take my chances and be honest and direct with him about it? i welcome any and all feedback.

thanks so much for the great info you all share, and your great humor too!

michelle

Re: checks, copper wire, clamshell & insurance

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 8:53 pm
by Brock
michelle f wrote:hello all,

i have a few questions. first off, regarding the proper usage of "check"...there is a check in the glass, the glass checked...?

Yup, both of those.

i use a lot of copper wire in my fused pieces, some completely sealed in the glass, and some of it protruding as loops. (i use 18 guage for the loops, hammered flat). i have been having problems with these "checks" appearing in the glass next to the loops. it doesn't always happen though, just sometimes.

i don't sell these pieces, but am still curious to know if they will eventually break? or does the hairline crack just remain? i have conducted a few experiments with such checked glass, by placing it in a zip lock baggie in the freezer, to see if the cold will cause it to crack even more, and so far there has not been any visible difference in any of the pieces, not even after returning to room temp. is there any rhyme or reason as to when glass will break or not?

The freezer test in notoriously inaccurate, and to be used properly, requires the Led Zeppelin refinement. After you put your checked piece in the zip lock baggie in the freezer, you must toss the freezer out the hotel room window. This simple addition to the process is much more revealing, regarding hidden internal stress.

now a kiln/insurance question...firstly thanks for all the kiln buying suggestions from many of you...i finally placed my order today for the SKUTT CLAMSHELL!! :) i'm very excited to get it all set up! i still need to hire an electrician to get me wired for it, but now have new concerns after reading the other thread today regarding home owners insurance. i rent, and we have very little contact with our landlord (i think both sided prefer it that way). i'd like to hear from more of you regarding insurance...do you all have insurance, or do some of you take your chances? is it possible for me to get my own policy just for the kiln, and not involve my landlord? or should i take my chances and be honest and direct with him about it? i welcome any and all feedback.

I'm taking chances, but it's probably not a great idea in a rental. Brock

thanks so much for the great info you all share, and your great humor too!

michelle

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 8:27 am
by Bert Weiss
The best insurance is common sense. Don't burn the house down. We haven't exactly heard that it is a common problem. Don't be the first!