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recycling glass blocks

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 4:37 pm
by RobinH
I just tore out a glass block shower wall and now have a pile of this stuff...question, can I break up the glass and use it the same as float for creating shard glass bowls?
Has anyone and luck with this type of reclaimed glass?
I've also picked up some colored glass bowls at the Goodwill store. The plan was to throw them in the kiln just beyond full fuse to melt them down, then slump in a mold. Has anyone tried this, or am I wasting time with the reclaimed glass?

Re: recycling glass blocks

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 5:52 pm
by Brad Walker
Glass blocks are usually mortared together. I don't know how easily that mortar can be removed. The glass itself may or may not be regular float -- some of the glass blocks are treated with other chemicals that may or may not work well in the kiln.

If you melt down the Goodwill bowls, don't try melting two different bowls together. They may be incompatible. They may also devitrify during the firing, so use a devitrification spray.

If you're interested in using up the glass block in a non-kiln way, check out this site: http://www.decobloc.com/home.asp

Re: recycling glass blocks

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 11:08 am
by Judd
OMG, too much drama. Use the glass as garden rocks, or... anything... Just don't bother melting it.