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To start a score, place cutter OFF the top of the glass, press down and pull the cutters towards you until you come OFF the bottom.
Only cut once. Never correct a mistake by cutting again. Never go over the scored line a second time. Not only will it fail to cut the glass, it also can dull your cutter. If you have to, turn the glass over and cut on the other side.
If you want to use oil, then just a touch of lubricant. Some people cut without oil, others lubricate their cutters generously. For fusing, the best amount of oil to use is the least amount you can use and still keep the wheel from freezing up. Excess oil means more time cleaning the glass before fusing. Also, using mineral spirits is a good idea; they are inexpensive and also burn off cleanly when firing. Ethyl alchohol is recommended to clean the glass. It smells better than the other kind, but is extremely flammable. ALL oil must be completely cleaned off. If we were a major art glass company dealing only in glass and making beautiful and very large works of art, we might use oil, but for a pyop doing jewelry, tiles, fritters, small plates and bowls, we haven’t found it necessary. However, if using the round glass cutter, we do recommend a TINY amount.
If you wait too long, the score will begin to "heal" and it will be difficult to get a clean break.
The key to good breaking, just like good cutting, is practice. So use scrap window glass until you feel comfortable with the cutter and how to use it.
Be careful when disposing of glass. Another safe approach besides the one we already mentioned, is to wrap the small slivers and chips in scrap newspaper and tape together. This quickly tidies up the workplace and also avoids accidental cuts.
Use only standard thickness glass if planning on a base without a cap. If using thin as the base, either put another clear thin on top and then frits, dichroic, stringers, between them or on top. There is a Thickness Rule in glass – all glass wants to go back to ¼” thick when fired. If you use only one thin piece, which is about 1/8” thick, it will cause the edges to jut out or spike away from the center.
Keep all thick decorative pieces away from the edges of the base or they will pull the edges out as well.
If using a transparent, Irridized glass as your base, put the Irridized side face down on the fiber paper. Your piece will look much prettier and you will have less chance for bubbles.
If using your big regular kiln rather than a smaller specific glass kiln, try to put the pieces towards the center rather than close to the elements on the sides.
Always fuse and slump in separate firings. Trying to do them both in one firing will cause major distortions and bubbles.
Don’t slump or fuse pieces too close to the lid with elements. Allow at least 4” for slump and 5” or more, for fuse, or else, slow the rate of the heating.
Experiment – be creative – learn from you mistakes – take chances!
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