Any sand blaster people?

[krauskiartglass]

We have been doing blasting for about thirty years.
Actually we do stage blasting which means we carve into the glass. Sometimes we use glass which is an inch thick.
If I can figure out how, maybe I'll post some pix if anyone is interested.
Just curious if anyone else is involved in this end of things.

[dawnt]

I haven't done this, but want to. :) I've been researching and compiling information about equipment. I'd love to see your work!

[bert weiss]

Bob

I'm curious what your experience is with tempered glass. Have you tempered after blasting?

I've heard conflicting stories. Some have success. Others, not. One person has told me that they reanneal after blasting and have success.

If you had a large kiln, you could apply colored glass layers to blast through.

[krauskiartglass]

We have done this with varying degrees of success. Many years ago we had a commission to d a shower dooor with a big crane blasted into it. the glass supplier (Milwaukee area) shipped it off to be tempered in Chicago.
It blew up in the tempering process.
I think that happened twice.
Fortunately, the client was paying.
What we foundd out is that you can only carve in to the tiniest degree. It has to be more of a frosted/ air brush technique in order to work.
We have done it several times since then successsfully.
Just remember not to go in too far.
Mary Krauski

[krauskiartglass]

Look at our website if you want to see our blasting.
Krauski Art Glass.
Sorry there are so many small pieces. New website with more architectural stuff is underway.

[Dennis Brady]

If you had a large kiln, you could apply colored glass layers to blast through.

Here's an example of sandblasting on kilnfused glass.
http://www.glasscampus.com/classes/projects/Kilnformed_flashed_glass.pdf

[Kara]

[QUOTE=krauskiartglass;194]stage blasting which means we carve into the glass. Sometimes we use glass which is an inch thick.
/QUOTE]

I see you use stage blasting. I've had people tell me that I should look into this but never have. I understand the technique, but what does one do about the friscet? I have used a few different ideas on separating the intensity of the sand tone. I have used glass bead and different types of sand. but when my frisket falls apart I'm done for. I never get to the point I'm digging any deeper into the glass, than the surface.

[krauskiartglass]

now this is an easy answer.
We use a resist called Buttercut which is made by 3M.
We get it from Granite city Tool, which is located in St. Cloud MN.

It is the same resist that they use to blast monuments, very strong.
So you just cut the areas that you want to be deepest with your sharp exacto knife, remove those portions of the resist first,blast those, then continue with different stages of depth until you are air brushing on the surface. does that make sense? If not, I will try to clarify.

buttercut is a wonderful material, very thick ,easy to cut, holds your blade while you are cutting so you don't skid around.

We use different resists for diffeent applications but that is the best we have found if you want to go in deep.

[Kara]

wow thanks, I completely understand. I really appreciate you telling me this. Do you feel starting with a harsher sand that cuts faster, then using finer sand as you get closer to finishing, work as to allowing the finer(glass bead sand) to smooth things out for you. Or do you even use glass bead. When I did blasting on my Bronze statues I always start with a medium blasting sand then to finish I use glass bead to bring out the shine and sparkle.

[Dennis Brady]

wow thanks, I completely understand. I really appreciate you telling me this. Do you feel starting with a harsher sand that cuts faster, then using finer sand as you get closer to finishing, work as to allowing the finer(glass bead sand) to smooth things out for you. Or do you even use glass bead. When I did blasting on my Bronze statues I always start with a medium blasting sand then to finish I use glass bead to bring out the shine and sparkle.

Coarser sand will cut faster but requires you completely clean out and replace with finer. That's a PITA that often takes longer then spending more time blasting with finer grit.

[Kara]

I always have to clean out my sand and keep it separate. I get different effects with the different sand choices. I don't mind switching out my sand, because for what I do it's worth the effort. I just was curious if that was what was found with glass, I just haven't done the experiment.

[krauskiartglass]

Hi Lovely Kara, We use 180 grit silicon carbide grain.
The grain breaks down and becomes finer so we add to it from time to time.

You know there can be serious health issues with blasting so always take care and take precautions to keep from breathing the glass dust.
Mary Krauski

[krauskiartglass]

Hi Lovely Kara, We use 180 grit silicon carbide grain.
The grain breaks down and becomes finer so we add to it from time to time.

You know there can be serious health issues with blasting so always take care and take precautions to keep from breathing the glass dust.
Mary Krauski

[Kara]

Yes I always use my masks. I airbrush and my husband on occassion paints cars, I also do silcone bronze work and when you dip your wax into the ceramic slurry and coat it with the silica sand it can cause an ir-reversible damage to your lungs. My husband has lung problems from carelessness when he was young and painting cars. As you age you really see the damage it does. I once had to airbrush without a mask because it was so hot and I was working outside on the top of an RV. The result was that it got so hot that I got off the RV and decided to go to the Drug store and get a soda, to cool off. I had my 6 year old and 4 year old with me, I fainted in the store from the chemical exposure of the paint after I had been away from it at least 20 minutes. My children were terrified. You may think you can do without a mask, but you never know what can happen. I could have still been driving, or someone could have stollen my children.
Good Advice.
Thanks

[SierraCreations]

WOW! I took a look at your site and your work is beautiful. I dabble with blasting, but nothing like you do. I took a glass carving class a couple of years ago. The project I did in class turned out great, but by the time I got home and tried it again, it just didn't turn out the same. There always seems to be one piece that I blast out of order. You know, once that's done your window is trashed. Carving is an art and takes a lot of practice. I have the booth and the blaster set up in our garage and love doing the little I do. I'm impressed with your work.

[krauskiartglass]

Thanks . that is very kind of you to say.
Don't forget we have been doing the carving for almost 30 years.
Practice makes perfect.
although we have tried to teach a few people who REALLY had problems, so maybe some people don't get it, but you have to expect to just go right through it now and then.
And yes, once you screw it up, there is no good way to go back and fix it.
but we practice with difficult passages on junk glass.
Actually, I just do the stencil cutting and design... My husband is the master blaster.
If you need any advice, we'd behappy to give it.
We are still learning and experimenting.
It is an endless thing.
Wait til you see our NEW website. It should be good if we ever get it done.

[vijaykharkar]

Dear Friend,

I have just joined and would love to see your work. By the way just visited your website. Some great work. What a pleasure it will be to actually see and admire your work. Seeing photographs is no substitute at all. :(

I do hand engraving on flat glass and table ware. I have posted a number of pictures of my work. More are on the way.

I have had a chance to physically view and admire a few sand blasted works and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Vijay Kharkar

[Planet Glass]

That's awesome vijay. I'd love to learn engraving. It's not easy finding places or people that teach it.

If I ever do I will jump on the opportunity.