Fusing ends of rods.

Katiequiggle · March 25, 2009, 04:21:24 PM

Can I do this. Can I put the ends of my 104 rods in the kiln and set a fusing programme and they will fuse together into a mat type of shape. Do I need anything to do this or do I just put the rods on the bottom of the kiln. I have no idea about fusing. I've read the tut on Warm glass but it doesn't mention putting it on anything, just what temps melt what itms.

Stacy · March 25, 2009, 05:05:52 PM

I've done it... It was one of the first things I did with my kiln...

They weren't great but here are some pictures:

I simply laid the rods ontop of each other on some kilnpaper.. I think I folded the edges to give the rods something to lean against otherwise they are a nightmare to keep still.

GlassOcean · March 25, 2009, 05:29:00 PM

I think I might need to have a cheeky play with this! ...............scurrying off to find kiln paper!

Katiequiggle · March 25, 2009, 05:58:57 PM

OOOh whats kiln paper, where do I buy it please!

Stacy · March 25, 2009, 06:08:20 PM

It's a paper that you put down on the kiln shelf to save you have to use kiln wash. You can only use it once cos once its been fired it turns to dust. Places like warm glass and the other one sell it and you can get it on ebay to if you search for kiln paper I think!

mizgeorge · March 25, 2009, 06:22:09 PM

You can use bead release instead of kiln wash if you haven't got any to hand.

Katiequiggle · March 25, 2009, 09:33:53 PM

If you use bead release doesn't it make your kiln all dirty though!

Trudi · March 25, 2009, 10:07:03 PM

Quote from: Katiequiggle on March 25, 2009, 09:33:53 PM
If you use bead release doesn't it make your kiln all dirty though!

guess you could put the bead release onto an old tile - but won't the bead release stick the the rods??

hollergrafik · March 25, 2009, 10:50:38 PM

Quote from: Katiequiggle on March 25, 2009, 05:58:57 PM
OOOh whats kiln paper, where do I buy it please!

I can send you some if you want to play?

Katiequiggle · March 25, 2009, 11:46:28 PM

Oh yes please that would be very kind of you. Thank you.

Pat from Canvey · March 26, 2009, 09:47:19 AM

If you cut your ends of rods with rod nippers, 5mm lengths will do, then arrange them on their cut ends so they all touch, you can make a glass picture. It works well if you use a piece of clear 104COE glass as the base too. Martin stocks the sheet clear 104COE.If you use a clear base, you can put it over a design and lay your pieces of rod on top. Useful if you want for example to recreate a childs drawing in glass.

GlassOcean · March 26, 2009, 11:49:49 AM

Pat that is a lovely idea!

Katiequiggle · March 26, 2009, 03:04:36 PM

Yes Pat thats a supe idea, thanks for that. I can see the children enjoying making pictures with it too, very carefully of course so as not to cut themselves on the glass.

dawn · March 26, 2009, 06:06:16 PM

You could stick your rods together with a little drop of glue, this would stop them rolling about. I use PVA mixed with distilled water (to a single cream consistency) - it burns off during the firing. You will need to leave them to set before putting them into the kiln or they will fall apart. You could put them onto a kiln shelf and then put them into your kiln.

You would not need a lot of glue, just a small dot.

Hope this makes sense.

Dawn

Katiequiggle · March 26, 2009, 08:17:38 PM

Fabulous, will get the kids doing this in the Easter hols.

Fusing ends of rods.

hollergrafik