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Glass fusing is simply the process of stacking two or more layers of compatible glass together to make a
design. The stacked glass is placed in the super heated environment of a kiln where it melts together.
Glass fusing is simply the process of stacking two or more layers of compatible glass together to make a
Glass fusing is simply the process of stacking two or more layers of compatible glass together to make a
T
HE
F
USING
P
ROCESS
There are two basic fusing stages; heating and cooling. During the heating process the fusible glass
is slowly taken from room temperature up to 1300 – 1500
here are two basic fusing stages; heating and cooling. During the heating process the fusible glass
here are two basic fusing stages; heating and cooling. During the heating process the fusible glass
°
F
here are two basic fusing stages; heating and cooling. During the heating process the fusible glass
here are two basic fusing stages; heating and cooling. During the heating process the fusible glass
, depending upon the fi nished “look” we
here are two basic fusing stages; heating and cooling. During the heating process the fusible glass
here are two basic fusing stages; heating and cooling. During the heating process the fusible glass
desire. When the glass is in this temperature range you can stop the fusing process at any time. This is
is slowly taken from room temperature up to 1300 – 1500
is slowly taken from room temperature up to 1300 – 1500 , depending upon the fi nished “look” we
, depending upon the fi nished “look” we
when you will make the decisions that make your work unique. It’s your opportunity to
desire. When the glass is in this temperature range you can stop the fusing process at any time. This is
desire. When the glass is in this temperature range you can stop the fusing process at any time. This is
be the artist
desire. When the glass is in this temperature range you can stop the fusing process at any time. This is
desire. When the glass is in this temperature range you can stop the fusing process at any time. This is
.
•
At 1300
when you will make the decisions that make your work unique. It’s your opportunity to
when you will make the decisions that make your work unique. It’s your opportunity to
°
F
when you will make the decisions that make your work unique. It’s your opportunity to
when you will make the decisions that make your work unique. It’s your opportunity to
the project will have slightly rounded, polished edges and a textured surface.
when you will make the decisions that make your work unique. It’s your opportunity to
when you will make the decisions that make your work unique. It’s your opportunity to
•
At 1500
°
F the top layer of glass will sink down into the bottom layer. The project will have a
the project will have slightly rounded, polished edges and a textured surface.
the project will have slightly rounded, polished edges and a textured surface.
smooth surface and rounded edges.
the top layer of glass will sink down into the bottom layer. The project will have a
the top layer of glass will sink down into the bottom layer. The project will have a
During the cooling process we control the rate at which the glass cools and slowly bring it back to room
smooth surface and rounded edges.
smooth surface and rounded edges.
temperature. The length of time that this takes is determined by the size of the project and the number
During the cooling process we control the rate at which the glass cools and slowly bring it back to room
During the cooling process we control the rate at which the glass cools and slowly bring it back to room
of layers being fused. The larger the project and the greater the number of layers the longer this will
temperature. The length of time that this takes is determined by the size of the project and the number
temperature. The length of time that this takes is determined by the size of the project and the number
take.
of layers being fused. The larger the project and the greater the number of layers the longer this will
of layers being fused. The larger the project and the greater the number of layers the longer this will
Don’t rush this step it is critical to the success of your work!
of layers being fused. The larger the project and the greater the number of layers the longer this will
of layers being fused. The larger the project and the greater the number of layers the longer this will
While the glass is cooling, it is going
of layers being fused. The larger the project and the greater the number of layers the longer this will
of layers being fused. The larger the project and the greater the number of layers the longer this will
Don’t rush this step it is critical to the success of your work!
Don’t rush this step it is critical to the success of your work!
of layers being fused. The larger the project and the greater the number of layers the longer this will
of layers being fused. The larger the project and the greater the number of layers the longer this will
of layers being fused. The larger the project and the greater the number of layers the longer this will
of layers being fused. The larger the project and the greater the number of layers the longer this will
through an annealing phase, which occurs at approximately 960
Don’t rush this step it is critical to the success of your work!
Don’t rush this step it is critical to the success of your work!
°
F
While the glass is cooling, it is going
While the glass is cooling, it is going
. I like to call it the “healing” phase.
While the glass is cooling, it is going
While the glass is cooling, it is going
Keep in mind that you have just taken several layers of glass and forced them to become one. They
through an annealing phase, which occurs at approximately 960
through an annealing phase, which occurs at approximately 960 . I like to call it the “healing” phase.
. I like to call it the “healing” phase.
need some time to adjust. Be nice to your glass!
Keep in mind that you have just taken several layers of glass and forced them to become one. They
Keep in mind that you have just taken several layers of glass and forced them to become one. They
M
ATERIALS
/ C
OMPATIBILITY
Glass expands when it is heated and contracts when it cools. When we fuse, we work within a family of
products that have been “tested compatible” to have the same C.O.E (Coeffi cient of Expansion). These
Glass expands when it is heated and contracts when it cools. When we fuse, we work within a family of
Glass expands when it is heated and contracts when it cools. When we fuse, we work within a family of
materials are specially formulated and pretested by the manufacturer for consistency.
products that have been “tested compatible” to have the same C.O.E (Coeffi cient of Expansion). These
products that have been “tested compatible” to have the same C.O.E (Coeffi cient of Expansion). These
Don’t bother
products that have been “tested compatible” to have the same C.O.E (Coeffi cient of Expansion). These
products that have been “tested compatible” to have the same C.O.E (Coeffi cient of Expansion). These
wasting your time working with the stuff you have laying around the garage.
materials are specially formulated and pretested by the manufacturer for consistency.
materials are specially formulated and pretested by the manufacturer for consistency.
If it isn’t marked tested
materials are specially formulated and pretested by the manufacturer for consistency.
materials are specially formulated and pretested by the manufacturer for consistency.
compatible
wasting your time working with the stuff you have laying around the garage.
wasting your time working with the stuff you have laying around the garage.
it isn’t!
wasting your time working with the stuff you have laying around the garage.
wasting your time working with the stuff you have laying around the garage.
Invest in fusible glass right up front; the success of your project depends on it.
wasting your time working with the stuff you have laying around the garage.
wasting your time working with the stuff you have laying around the garage.
it isn’t!
it isn’t!
wasting your time working with the stuff you have laying around the garage.
wasting your time working with the stuff you have laying around the garage.
wasting your time working with the stuff you have laying around the garage.
wasting your time working with the stuff you have laying around the garage.
This is
the best advice you will get today!
Invest in fusible glass right up front; the success of your project depends on it.
Invest in fusible glass right up front; the success of your project depends on it.
Tips for better projects:
•
Cutting the glass:
Tips for better projects:
Tips for better projects:
Take the time to cut the glass accurately. Grind the project pieces where
necessary to improve the fi t.
Cutting the glass:
Cutting the glass:
Take the time to cut the glass accurately. Grind the project pieces where
Take the time to cut the glass accurately. Grind the project pieces where
•
Clean:
necessary to improve the fi t.
necessary to improve the fi t.
Wash the glass before assembling the project with a mild detergent and water. Dry the
necessary to improve the fi t.
necessary to improve the fi t.
glass thoroughly.
Wash the glass before assembling the project with a mild detergent and water. Dry the
Wash the glass before assembling the project with a mild detergent and water. Dry the
•
Pattern Design:
glass thoroughly.
glass thoroughly.
Construct your projects with 2 – 2 ½ layers of glass for greater consistency in
glass thoroughly.
glass thoroughly.
size, shape and thickness. Layer 1 is the base. Layer 2 is the design layer and the third “half”
Pattern Design:
Pattern Design:
Construct your projects with 2 – 2 ½ layers of glass for greater consistency in
Construct your projects with 2 – 2 ½ layers of glass for greater consistency in
layer is the accent.
size, shape and thickness. Layer 1 is the base. Layer 2 is the design layer and the third “half”
size, shape and thickness. Layer 1 is the base. Layer 2 is the design layer and the third “half”
•
Glue:
layer is the accent.
layer is the accent.
Lightly tack the design layer to the base layer so you can transport the project to the kiln
layer is the accent.
layer is the accent.
without its shifting. Use a tooth pick or similar tool to apply a
Lightly tack the design layer to the base layer so you can transport the project to the kiln
Lightly tack the design layer to the base layer so you can transport the project to the kiln
pin head or smaller
Lightly tack the design layer to the base layer so you can transport the project to the kiln
Lightly tack the design layer to the base layer so you can transport the project to the kiln
size dab of
Lightly tack the design layer to the base layer so you can transport the project to the kiln
Lightly tack the design layer to the base layer so you can transport the project to the kiln
pin head or smaller
pin head or smaller
Lightly tack the design layer to the base layer so you can transport the project to the kiln
Lightly tack the design layer to the base layer so you can transport the project to the kiln
Lightly tack the design layer to the base layer so you can transport the project to the kiln
Lightly tack the design layer to the base layer so you can transport the project to the kiln
Elmer’s
without its shifting. Use a tooth pick or similar tool to apply a
without its shifting. Use a tooth pick or similar tool to apply a
white glue to the back side of the glass.
without its shifting. Use a tooth pick or similar tool to apply a
without its shifting. Use a tooth pick or similar tool to apply a
Elmer’s
Elmer’s
without its shifting. Use a tooth pick or similar tool to apply a
without its shifting. Use a tooth pick or similar tool to apply a
without its shifting. Use a tooth pick or similar tool to apply a
without its shifting. Use a tooth pick or similar tool to apply a
•
Firing Speed
white glue to the back side of the glass.
white glue to the back side of the glass.
: Slower is usually better. If you are not sure which fi ring program to use, err on
white glue to the back side of the glass.
white glue to the back side of the glass.
the side of conservative and choose the slower program.
Firing Speed
Firing Speed
: Slower is usually better. If you are not sure which fi ring program to use, err on
: Slower is usually better. If you are not sure which fi ring program to use, err on
The Basics
G
LASS
101
By Lisa Vogt
