Friday Night Fusing Clinic
October 13th, 2006 ... Introduction to The Glory Hole
Safety Lecture:
- Have fire extinguisher on hand
- Carbon Monoxide Detector
- Test propane hose lines with soapy water for leaks
- Ensure work space is clean, clear of debris & dust
- Wear safety or didymium glasses, cotton clothing, nothing loose or baggy, closed toe shoes, and tie back long hair.
Turn blower on. Light smaller torch with Hot Head Torch, turn on main propane tank, to 2 PSI. Turn on valve, then point Hot Head torch into Glory Hole to light it.
Hold a small chunk of glass with long pliers near front of Glory Hole, to gently warm the glass. Slowly move glass closer. It will start to yellow and soften as it gets hotter. Warm punty rod in the flame at the same time. When the glass is soft, drape it over the punty rod, and rotate the rod with the glass on it in the flame. Repeat this process to get a larger gather of glass near the end of the rod.
Begin to add pieces of coloured glass, or pick frit up off a hot plate. Dip the tip of the gather in a metal bucket full of water, to freeze the tip of it, then have a partner pull the glass away in a twisting motion. Or you can create a free form shape by pulling at the glass with long pliers. When finished, dip a thick file in water, saw near the neck of the rod and tap gently with the file. The glass rod or shape should drop off onto a wooden board, or heat proof surface. Lift with long tongs and transfer to an annealing kiln.
Components For Glory Hole Use
- Metal Frame, rod holder, 2 12" x 12" plates 1/4" steel, made at Loucon Metals 37 Grenfell, 226-1102, approx $200
- Fan: Fasco model B30, 45 cfm, Grant Electric, Preston St., approx $ 100
- Propane Hose & switch, BBQ shop right across from Loucon on Grenfell, approx $ 50
- Regulator & gauge, Superior Propane, 63 Royden Place, 727-8807, $ 120
- 2 Cherry Paddles, handmade, must be 1 piece of cherry per paddle, must stay in bucket of water, change water once per week
- 1" fibreblanket=1 sheet, SGS, $ 25
- Custom Made Adaptor at back of frame for propane hook up to air supply, Dynamic Precision, Cleopatra, approx $100
- 2 big buckets of water $ 10
- long nosed pliers (hardware store) $20?
- file (hardware store) $ 5?
- propane torch & head, $ 10?
- Cigarette lighter $ 2?
- 12" x 48" strip of plywood $ 5?
- 36" steel punty rod, 5/16" thick, Home Depot, $ 5?
- Brand new full QCC-1 style BBQ tank, $50 Home Depot
Total=Approx. $700
