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Fused Pattern Bars
This is part two of a
multi-part series on fusing pattern bars. Click here to start
with part one.
Begin the process of making a pattern bar by cutting the glass
for the bar. The simplest kind of bar is composed of strips of
glass which are stacked or assembled in the kiln, but there are many
other more elaborate configurations. For this tip, we'll
assume a fairly simple and basic pattern bar shape that uses stacked
glass strips.
Because of the additional annealing time required for larger
and thicker items, most pattern bars range from 1" by 1" to no
larger than 2" by 2". The length of the pattern bar can be any
length, up to the maximum that will fit in your kiln.
Start by cutting the necessary strips. Assuming a 1" by
1" bar that is 8" long, these strips should be 8" long. You
can cut the strips whatever width you'd like, from simple 1" strips
that fill up the entire width of the pattern bar to narrower strips
that can be arranged however you desire. The key is to arrange
the strips so that they fill up a space that is 1" high, 1" wide and
8" long. Standard art glass is 1/8" (3cm) thick, so a height
of 1" would be 8 layers of glass. (Adjust these dimensions if
you've chosen to make a larger pattern bar than 1" by 1".)
Once the strips are cut, the next step is to dam the pattern
bars in the kiln. Click here for information on how to arrange
and dam
the pattern bars in the kiln.
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Copyright 2005 Brad Walker. All rights
reserved.
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