Fusing Basics

Bullseye Glass Co.
1 Mar 201213:22
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis lesson delves into the art of glass fusing, teaching how to bond different glass pieces using heat in a kiln. It covers the basics of fusing, including controlling the volume and line quality, managing bubbles, and understanding the '6mm rule' for thickness. Techniques like 'Design Down' for crisp lines and 'Design Up' for softer shapes are introduced. The lesson also provides a detailed firing schedule for achieving full fusion or texture with TAC fusing, guiding artists to create unique glass designs.

Takeaways
  • 🔥 Fusing is the process of bonding different pieces of glass using heat and gravity in a kiln.
  • 🔨 Two basic types of fusing are discussed: full fuse and TAC fuse, which includes a range of effects from sticking pieces together to significant glass movement.
  • 🌡️ The '6mm rule' states that Bullseye glass will assume a thickness of 6mm at full fuse temperatures, influencing the design and firing process.
  • 📏 Controlling the volume of fused glass pieces involves understanding how glass behaves at different thicknesses and temperatures.
  • 📐 Designing with glass involves two methods: 'Design Down' for crisp lines and flat surfaces, and 'Design Up' for softer, more irregular lines.
  • 💧 Managing bubbles in fused glass is crucial for quality; small champagne bubbles are acceptable, but larger, distorting bubbles should be avoided.
  • 🛠️ Proper design and firing methods are essential for achieving the desired aesthetic and structural integrity of the glass piece.
  • 🔄 The firing cycle is critical and includes stages like initial heat, process soak, rapid heat, rapid cool, anneal soak, and cool to room temperature.
  • 📉 A full fuse occurs at around 1480°F with a 10-minute hold, resulting in a flat, glossy top surface and softened edges.
  • 📈 The TAC fuse range allows for varying levels of fusion, from simple adhesion to significant deformation and smoothing of glass pieces.
  • 🛑 It's important not to 'crash cool' by opening the kiln door; the kiln should cool naturally with the door closed to prevent thermal shock.
Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the lesson in the provided transcript?

    -The lesson focuses on glass fusing, specifically the process of fusing layers of sheet glass and accessory glasses on a kiln shelf.

  • What is the definition of glass fusing as described in the transcript?

    -Glass fusing is the process of bonding different pieces of compatible glass with heat and gravity in a kiln, where the glass is heated to a specific temperature and held until it forms, then cooled down in a controlled manner.

  • What are the two basic types of fusing on a kiln shelf mentioned in the transcript?

    -The two basic types of fusing are full fuse and TAC fuse, which includes a range of results achieved by firing to temperatures below a full fuse.

  • What happens when glass is fired to a full fuse temperature?

    -At full fuse temperatures, the glass pieces completely join together. The top surface becomes flat and glossy, the edges soften, and the corners become rounded.

  • What is the '6mm rule' in glass fusing as explained in the transcript?

    -The '6mm rule' states that at full fuse temperatures, Bullseye glass will assume a thickness of 6mm. If less than 6mm of glass is fired, it will pull in towards this thickness due to surface tension; if more than 6mm is fired, it will flow outward unless constrained.

  • How does the transcript describe controlling the volume of fused glass pieces?

    -The volume of fused glass pieces can be controlled by managing the thickness of the glass layers and using techniques like 'Design Down' to keep the material within the original footprint.

  • What is the purpose of using high-temperature dams in glass fusing?

    -High-temperature dams are used to contain the glass and prevent it from flowing outward when fired, ensuring that the glass stays within its original footprint and maintains its shape.

  • How does adding too much glass or placing it too close to the edge affect the final piece?

    -Adding too much glass or placing it too close to the edge can cause the material to flow out and distort the footprint of the finished piece if not properly contained.

  • What are the two methods of composing glass pieces mentioned in the transcript, and how do they differ?

    -The two methods are 'Design Down' and 'Design Up'. 'Design Down' involves building tightly fitting pieces directly on the kiln shelf and covering them with an uncut layer, resulting in crisp lines and a flat surface. 'Design Up' involves placing the uncut layer first and arranging cut pieces on top, resulting in softer lines and irregular color separations.

  • How can one control bubbles in fused glass pieces according to the transcript?

    -To control bubbles, one should work in complete layers to minimize air between layers, orient each piece with the smooth side facing up, design work so that cut lines extend to the perimeter for air escape, and avoid trapping heavy textures between layers.

  • What is the basic firing cycle for fully fusing a 10x10in plate of 3mm glass as described in the transcript?

    -The basic firing cycle includes an initial heat soak at 400°F per hour to 1225°F with a 60-minute hold, rapid heat to 1490°F with a 10-minute hold, rapid cool to 900°F with a 1-hour hold, anneal cool at 100°F per hour to 700°F, and finally cool to room temperature as fast as possible to 70°F.

Outlines
00:00
🔥 Glass Fusing Basics and Techniques

This paragraph introduces the fundamental concepts of glass fusing, a process where pieces of glass are bonded together using heat and gravity within a kiln. It explains the two basic types of fusing: full fuse and TAC (Temperature, Atmosphere, and Color) fuse, and how controlling kiln temperatures can lead to different effects. The '6mm rule' is highlighted, which refers to the tendency of glass to assume a thickness of 6mm when fully fused. The paragraph also discusses the importance of controlling the volume of fused glass pieces, managing bubbles, and the firing schedules for achieving full fusion or TAC fusing effects.

05:01
🎨 Designing with Glass Fusing: Methods and Considerations

This section delves into the creative aspects of glass fusing, exploring two primary methods of design: 'Design Down' and 'Design Up'. 'Design Down' involves building tightly fitting pieces directly on the kiln shelf and covering them with an uncut layer of glass, resulting in crisp lines and a flat surface. Conversely, 'Design Up' starts with an uncut layer on the shelf and arranges cut pieces on top, leading to softer lines and potential irregularities due to different glass color flows. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of managing bubbles and maintaining the integrity of the design by working in complete layers and allowing air to escape. Additionally, it outlines a detailed firing cycle for a 10x10in plate made of two layers of 3mm glass, including specific heating and cooling rates and soak times.

10:02
🌡️ Advanced Glass Fusing: Surface Texture and Firing Cycles

The final paragraph discusses advanced techniques for adding surface texture and design elements to fused glass pieces. It covers the process of applying sheet or accessory glass components to the surface of fully fused or unfired glass and firing to the desired TAC fuse temperature. The paragraph provides a firing cycle for achieving uniform heating and cooling, with specific temperature targets and hold times. It also explains how the final quality of the piece can vary depending on the top processed temperature, with lower temperatures retaining more texture and higher temperatures resulting in smoother, glossier surfaces. The importance of understanding the '6mm rule', managing bubbles, and using proper design and firing methods for successful fused glass projects is reiterated.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Glass Fusing
Glass fusing is the process of bonding different pieces of compatible glass together using heat and gravity within a kiln. It is a fundamental technique in glass art, allowing for the creation of various effects by controlling kiln temperatures. In the video, full fuse and TAC (Temperature, Atmosphere, and Color) fuse are discussed as two types of fusing that result in different visual and physical properties of the glass pieces.
💡Kiln
A kiln is a type of oven used for the heat treatment of materials. In the context of glass fusing, it is essential for heating the glass to specific temperatures to achieve the desired fusion effect. The script describes how glass is heated in a controlled manner within the kiln to bond the pieces together.
💡Full Fuse
Full fuse refers to a state where the glass pieces are completely joined together after being fired at high temperatures for a sufficient duration. The script mentions that full fused glass has a flat and glossy top surface, softened edges, and rounded corners, achieved when fired to around 1480 degrees Fahrenheit and held for 10 minutes.
💡TAC Fuse
TAC Fuse, an abbreviation for Temperature, Atmosphere, and Color Fuse, describes a range of results that can be achieved by firing glass to temperatures below a full fuse. The script explains that at lower temperatures, the pieces of glass stick together but retain most of their individual characteristics, while at higher temperatures within the TAC fuse range, the glass shows more noticeable displacement and movement.
💡6mm Rule
The 6mm rule is a guideline in glass fusing that states at full fuse temperatures, Bullseye glass will assume a thickness of 6mm. The script uses this rule to explain how the thickness of the glass affects its behavior during firing, with surface tension causing the material to pull in or flow out towards this 6mm mark.
💡Design Down
Design down is a method of composing glass pieces in a kiln where tightly fitting pieces are placed directly on the kiln shelf and covered with an uncut layer of sheet glass. This technique, as described in the script, results in a piece with crisp clean lines and a very flat top surface.
💡Design Up
Design up is an alternative method to design down, where an uncut layer of glass is placed on the kiln shelf first, and then cut pieces are arranged on top. The script explains that this method results in softer lines and shapes, with lines between colors in the finished piece being soft and irregular.
💡Surface Tension
Surface tension is a property of liquids that results from the cohesive forces between adjacent molecules. In the context of glass fusing, as mentioned in the script, surface tension causes the glass to move towards a thickness of 6mm during the firing process, affecting the final shape and appearance of the fused piece.
💡Bubbles
Bubbles in glass fusing refer to air pockets trapped between layers of glass. The script discusses how bubbles can be controlled during the fusing process to achieve a desirable aesthetic. Champagne bubbles are considered acceptable in handcrafted glass, but larger, distorting bubbles are to be avoided.
💡Firing Schedule
A firing schedule is a specific program of temperature changes and holds used in a kiln to achieve the desired outcome in glass fusing. The script provides examples of firing schedules for both full fusing and TAC fusing, detailing the rates of heating and cooling, and the durations for each step of the process.
💡Dams
Dams in glass fusing are barriers used to contain the glass within its original footprint during the firing process. The script explains that without dams, a stack of glass may flow outward if fired to full fuse temperatures, while dams help maintain the original dimensions of the piece.
Highlights

Focus on fusing layers of sheet glass and accessory glasses in a kiln.

Learn the fundamentals of glass as a material for realizing ideas and designs.

Understand the process of glass fusing through heat and gravity in a kiln.

Achieve a variety of effects by precisely controlling kiln temperatures.

Full fuse occurs when glass is fired hot enough to completely join pieces together.

Tac fuse allows achieving different results by firing to temperatures below a full fuse.

The 6mm rule for Bullseye glass at full fuse temperatures.

Surface tension causes glass to move toward a 6mm thickness if fired less than 6mm.

Design down method for creating pieces with crisp clean lines and a flat top surface.

Design up method results in softer lines and shapes due to different glass color flow.

Control bubbles in fused glass by working in complete layers and allowing air to escape.

Basic firing cycle for fully fusing a 10x10in plate of 3mm glass.

Elevate kiln shelf for uniform heating and cooling of the glass.

Create surface texture and design elements by adding glass components to fully fused or unfired glass.

Uniform heating and cooling for glass with added components by following a specific firing cycle.

Achieve different qualities in glass by firing to various temperatures within the TAC fuse range.

Use the 6mm rule, design up and design down, and manage bubbles for successful fused projects.

Transcripts

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Glass FusingKiln TechniquesBullseye GlassDesign IdeasHeat BondingFiring SchedulesArtisanal CraftsGlass ArtCreative ProcessCraft Tutorial