It’s amazing how much art and engineering have in common. Art
concepts are born from a small spark. But it takes hot, burning desire, coupled
with ingenuity, to actually transform such obscure ideas into physical reality.
There’s got to be an easier
way.
I’ve been making fused glass sinks for years. In the
beginning, I constructed them using the layered method. This type of construction
has a beautiful, round finished edge when the fused glass comes out of the
slumping mold.
It wasn’t long before I started building sinks using the
cast method. This sink style is thicker. The glass comes out of the mold with
an irregular edge. This type of sink construction requires the additional step
of polishing.
Sinks are advanced projects that involve a considerable
amount of time to construct, a sizable amount of material and a skilled craftsman
to complete successfully. When it comes time to cold-work your masterpiece, you
want to feel confident that the job will go smoothly. And so it was our
intention, to build consistency into this otherwise unstable task. That’s why we
modified a readily available carpenter’s roller stand, into a customized sink support/guide
that would provide us with reliable results time after time.
If it worked for me,
it’ll work for you.
This new, re-purposed tool, significantly improved my work
time and success rate. Here’s how you can make your own sink stand/guide.
Start with your standard, home improvement store variety roller
stand. Remove the metal roller. It comes off easily by depressing two buttons,
one on each end of the roller; similar to toilet paper roll holder. Cut a 2” x 2”
block of wood to fit between the uprights. Secure the wood in place with wood screws,
one on each end. Cover the surface of the wood with a strip of nylon, like the white
cutting board used in your kitchen. The nylon holds up longer than the bare
wood and it won’t scratch your glass as the edge becomes shinny. Hold the nylon
strip in place with two wood crews. Be sure to countersink the screws so they don’t
damage your glass. Pre-drill two holes for the dowels behind the nylon strip. Press
two hardwood dowels into the holes in the wooden base. These dowels serve as
stops that help you maintain a consistent distance from the grinding wheel throughout
the grinding and polishing process. Tip: Don’t glue the dowels in place. They wear
out quickly, and therefore will need to be replaced every few sinks.
Once you have one of these stands, you’re certain to find multiple
uses for it. So don’t hesitate to add this handy tool to the supply of tools in
your studio.
Supplies
Roller stand
Wood screws
2” x 2”
strip of wood cut to size
1”- 1 ½”
wide strip of nylon cut to size
3/8” thick hardwood
dowel cut to size
You got this!
Lisa
www.LisaVogt.net
For more tips and tricks visit:
Upcoming Webinars & Workshop
NEW Fusing
for the Adventurous Webinar
September 5, 20147
NEW Fusing
for the Adventurous Webinar
September 7, 2017
Fusing
with Frit Webinar
October 26, 2017
Advanced Glass Fusing Workshop
November
14-17, 2017
4-Days,
Hands-on, Wesley Chapel, FL
You’ll love the incredible creative
momentum you gain from the in-depth concentration of working uninterrupted for
four full days!
Here’s what
students are saying about the workshop.
Your knowledge, easy teaching style and down to earth
approach are just wonderful and I can learn so much more about glass by working
with you. -Barbara
I
have been inspired by you to work more in my studio!
-Dana
Creative
Slumping Webinar
January 18, 2018
Advanced
Glass Fusing Workshop
February 6 – 9, 2018
4-Days, Hands-on, Wesley Chapel, FL
Register here http://www.lisavogt.net/products.aspx?id=477
5
Reasons Why YOU Will LOVE this Workshop!
1
One-on-one instruction
2
Step-by-step guidance to develop your own design style
3
Individualized project program - make what inspires YOU
4 Four
full days of hands-on creating and fusing
5
Unlimited possibilities
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