marbles, fishtank "beads" etc. how can i melt these and similar bits of glass without an actual kiln? is a blow torch hot enough?
2007-12-03 13:33:20 · 4 answers · asked by michael n 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Sculpture
There are two kinds of glass used for bead making soft and Pyrex or hard glass. The former can be melted and formed by using MAPP gas in a torch like the Hot Head while the latter requires a propane-oxygen torch. The whole process is called lampworking - try www.hotglass.com
You will eventually need a small kiln anyway because once things get beyond a certain thickness (about 1" diameter, 1/2" thick from mandrel) they must be annealed (cooled slowly) to keep them from cracking.
More clues, sites, and books
http://users.ticnet.com/mikefirth/what-can.htm
2007-12-03 13:52:31 · answer #1 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Glass is made up of many different compounds depending on what it is used for, but here is a general range: http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2002/SaiLee.shtml
All of these suggest a melting point of 1400 degrees Centigrade or higher. According to wikipedia a propane torch can get to around 2000 degrees centigrade or higher if there is pure oxygen in the mix: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propane_torch
So the answer is probably yes, but it will depend on the heat of your torch specifically and the composition of the glass you're using. Be careful and have fun!
2007-12-03 13:43:40 · answer #2 · answered by Eric R 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not really sure but - if you can get a melt and blow glass on a Bunsen Burner ( which I did as a schoolbiy ) I would have thought it would melt over the gas.
Get an old pan and give it a try ????
2007-12-03 13:45:40 · answer #3 · answered by John W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how do you melt stained glass pieces
2016-05-12 10:51:00 · answer #4 · answered by Colleen 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋