Sapphireblue.com Presents: Adventures in Dangerous Art (Slave to the Grind)

My pretty new grinder isn't so pretty or new any more.

Remember that big piece with the pointy-cut convex edge?

Ugly cut.

I had at it with the grinder tonight...

Chicks dig the safety goggles.

... and now its edge is nicely un-pointy.

Vastly prettier cut.

Issues with the grinder:

They are water-fed machines; a little sponge behind the grinding splindle brings water up from a reservoir underneath, to keep the glass cool so it doesn't crack, and to contain the mess of glass dust so as to avoid silicosis of the lungs. The problem with the water is that it loosens the glue on my pattern templates, sliding them around the glass, making it hard to know if I'm grinding away too much or too little.
The combination of water and tiny granules of glass also starts to wear away the Sharpie markings on my individual pieces. If I dally too long on the grinder with any one piece, I'm apt to lose my piece number markings, which would turn my stained-glass project into a 69-piece jigsaw puzzle.
And speaking of the Sharpie markings, on template pieces where there is a bit of black line remaining along the edge of the piece, it's tough to see on dark glass where the black line ends and where the glass begins, again making it tough to easily see if I'm grinding away too much or too little.

Don thinks maybe a grease pencil on glass, instead of glued templates and Sharpie, might help. It's worth asking my instructor about, if I can remember on Tuesday.

Bonus photo: all 69 cut pieces. 6 ground, 63 to go.

It doesn't look like much, does it.

Posted by Michelle on October 17, 2002 10:39 PM

Yes, different.

I've got one in front of me now. "Sanford Sharpie Industrial Super Permanent Ink." Same grey body/black cap, but most of the writing on the body is red instead of the black on the more pedestrian Sharpies.

-Specially formulated for industrial, laboratory and commercial use
-Remains permanent under most chemical washes, extreme heat and steam (up to 500 deg. F)

Posted by: Pete on October 21, 2002 12:26 AM


I'm learning the art (or is it a craft?) of stained glass. At this weblog, I record progress, note useful links, and document flesh wounds. Links The Art League Where I took a lead class and a 3D construction class. Weisser Glass Studio Where I buy supplies, and where I took a foil class. Virginia Stained Glass Co. Where I buy supplies if I happen to be in Springfield and if they happen to have what I want. Warner-Crivellaro Great prices on supplies, a lively and helpful Glass Chat message board, and excellent Technical Tips on stained glass tools and techniques. Glass Galleries Links List A list of Glass Chat users who've uploaded photos of their work. The StoreFinder: Stained Glass Store Front Lots of articles. ArtGlassArt.com Tutorials Even more articles. Particularly recommended: "Anatomy of a design" and "Wood frames." rec.crafts.glass Courtesy of Google Groups. Nancy's Beginner Tips and Tricks Scoring, breaking, soldering, finishing, and more. Splinter Removal Tips Crucial. Syndicate this site Someone out there is using XML for something... right? Movable Type Powered by. Archives By Date November 2006 October 2006 May 2006 June 2004 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 June 2003 May 2003 April 2003 March 2003 February 2003 January 2003 December 2002 November 2002 October 2002 September 2002 By Project Beaded Unity Candle Crocus Panel Dogwood Windows Green Tiered Lamp Lilypads/Lotus Panel Transoms Xmas Ornament		« Put Down the Glass Cutter and Step Away from the Workbench \| Main \| Better Living through Chemistry » October 17, 2002: Slave to the Grind My pretty new grinder isn't so pretty or new any more. Remember that big piece with the pointy-cut convex edge? I had at it with the grinder tonight... ... and now its edge is nicely un-pointy. Issues with the grinder: They are water-fed machines; a little sponge behind the grinding splindle brings water up from a reservoir underneath, to keep the glass cool so it doesn't crack, and to contain the mess of glass dust so as to avoid silicosis of the lungs. The problem with the water is that it loosens the glue on my pattern templates, sliding them around the glass, making it hard to know if I'm grinding away too much or too little. The combination of water and tiny granules of glass also starts to wear away the Sharpie markings on my individual pieces. If I dally too long on the grinder with any one piece, I'm apt to lose my piece number markings, which would turn my stained-glass project into a 69-piece jigsaw puzzle. And speaking of the Sharpie markings, on template pieces where there is a bit of black line remaining along the edge of the piece, it's tough to see on dark glass where the black line ends and where the glass begins, again making it tough to easily see if I'm grinding away too much or too little. Don thinks maybe a grease pencil on glass, instead of glued templates and Sharpie, might help. It's worth asking my instructor about, if I can remember on Tuesday. Bonus photo: all 69 cut pieces. 6 ground, 63 to go. Posted by Michelle on October 17, 2002 10:39 PM Comments Have you considered the industrial/laboratory line of Sharpies? You might like them; they're dangerous. The happy little "non-toxic" alerts are replaced with "DO NOT INGEST" warnings. Posted by: Pete on October 20, 2002 12:50 AM Like different ones from standard art- or office-supply Sharpies? "Dangerous" is the magic word... Posted by: Michelle on October 20, 2002 05:52 PM Yes, different. I've got one in front of me now. "Sanford Sharpie Industrial Super Permanent Ink." Same grey body/black cap, but most of the writing on the body is red instead of the black on the more pedestrian Sharpies. -Specially formulated for industrial, laboratory and commercial use -Remains permanent under most chemical washes, extreme heat and steam (up to 500 deg. F) Posted by: Pete on October 21, 2002 12:26 AM Super permanent. r0x0r. Thanks, Pete. Posted by: Michelle on October 21, 2002 09:22 AM Comments are closed. Contact me via the email address at the bottom of the blog pages.
Copyright © 2002-06 Michelle Kinsey Bruns. E-mail me at my first name at this domain. (Take that, spam spiders!)