This glass fusing tutorial video is about using the stacked glass method on both sides. But with the twist that it will all be fused in one go. Not each side separately. I received a question and this inspired me to give it a go. I’ll be using reactive glass so that complicates it a little.
So this project is really a test of the technique, so anything can happen.
The video tutorial includes the design, materials, and equipment information, as well as the cutting of glass, firing, and slumping.
Project Information
In the YouTube video, you will find links to related videos, a chapter list with time stamps, and links to more resources.
Don’t forget, the glass I use is Bullseye 90 COE. I use Thinfire fiber paper on the shelf, but when fire polishing on my shelf, and slumping in moulds, I spray with boron nitride mould release.
As I mentioned, a viewer was the inspiration for this tutorial. They asked if it was possible to make a double-sided stacked piece by stacking the small pieces on the shelf, then placing the base piece on top and then stacking more on top again. This would then be fused down into a single piece.
I wasn’t sure, but suspected there may be a few problems. Check the video to discover what they were.
I used reactive glass which did introduce another issue, that you’ll see in the video.
The best way I found to stack the pieces for the bottom was not to stack them on the shelf but stack and glue them on the glass and then turn that over and stack the remaining ones on top. This allowed me to see the spread of colour.
I also used 3 mm fibre paper on the bottom to protect the shelf from the gases during the reaction. This seemed to work but as you will see in the video it introduced another problem.
If you have any questions please ask in the comments section on YouTube.
Full Fuse Firing Schedule
- #1 – 222 C (432 F) up to 535 C (995 F), hold 60 minutes. Vent kiln to burn off glue and paper.
- #2 – 333 C (631 F) up to 670 C (1238 F), hold 60 minutes. A very long hold to hopefully eliminate bubbles.
- #3 – Full up to 810 C (1490 F), hold until fully fused down.
- #4 – Full down to 482 C (900 F), hold 90 minutes
- #5 – 65 C ( 149 F) down to 425 C (797 F), no hold
- #6 – 132 C ( 270 F) down to 371 C (700 F), no hold