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Glass sand casting

Glass sand casting

Posted by AndrewBrott on 4/18/2006
While moving into my post Katrina, CERF sponsored "FEMA Studio", I found these old photos while unpacking... Here is how sand casting works: Use two or more sizes of olivine sand (differing "grain" sizes make for smoother castings), mix it with 7% to 10% of betinite clay body. This helps to hold the sand together. Slightly dampen, and run it through screens, as to sift it like cake flour. Make impressions in the sand, and spray it with a mixture of sugar and water (molasses works great). Use an acetylene torch to burn the sugar/water, and to add a layer of black carbon to the sand surface. This barrier will prevent the glass from sticking. Ladle in molten glass at 2300F. Poke vent holes under and around the poured casting, and use torches to evenly cool the glass. When the glass reaches 1150F, load it into an annealing oven to cool. Use Libinsky's annealing chart to cool to room temp. This chart can be found the Bible of Studio Glass; Henry Halem's book "Glass Notes".
Andrew Brott
4/18/06
Casings at 2000F
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Sifting sand
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Light and fluffy, ready for an impression.
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Make a "dam" to avoid thick to thin sections.
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Completed negative impression
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Spray with sugar water mix
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Burned and blackened with an acetylene torch.
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Andy Pollack and Myself
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Glass is at 2350f
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Pour casting, and snip with casting shears.
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Evenly cool the castings with vents and torches
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I use thin flat pieces of wood to make vents
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More torching and vents
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Castings at 1150F, notice the color difference.
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Load them into an anealer and cool
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 Artist:   AndrewBrott  ( ) Contact Artist 
Andrew Brott
I am a student, teacher, and disciple of the "Studio Art Glass Movement".
Andrew Brott


Andrew Brott
4721 Freret Street
New Orleans LA 70115 US
Phone: 504-239-3030
www.brottworks.com
Profile Page: http://www.GlassArtists.org/AndrewBrott
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 Comments on This Gallery Page
nice...
that is a really great technique. thanks for sharing the wisdom and pictures...
» Posted by KevinIvey on 4/18/2006 10:18:31 AM.
Yes, glass is silica, flux, and color. This casting sand is olivine, with bentonite clay body (7%).
AB

» Posted by AndrewBrott on 12/14/2006 5:40:19 AM.

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