artistic problem

[Pault17]

I have an idea of mixing smithing and glass, but have never tried it out. I have developed a liking for making the split & un-folded crosses, and alot of people are asking me about and for them. What I wanted to try was to mush/melt/forge a marble into the opening created when the cross is split. I have lots of marbles (haven't lost them all yet) and wanted to give it a try.

Does glass shrink down when cooled, like steel does?
Can I just put a marble into the forge (mine is gas) and pull it out when it glows?

thanks in advance

[pete46]

I'm Not Sure But I Realllly Believe A Marble ;will Explode!!!!!!!!

[Pault17]

oooh. that would not be good. darn

[pete46]

I Have Had The Same Idea ,and If You Do Try It .let Me Know How It
Works?
Not That I'm Scared!

[Candidquality]

It's been done before. The steel and the glass(quartz) do have different shrink rates. The steel will shrink more causing the glass to have small chips fly off. it won't explode unless you drop it into water when hot. this can actually add to the look of the piece at times at it then appears faceted(cut) if in a crude way. I'd still recommend a full face shield and a leather apron, just to be safe. just cool it as slowly as possible (bury in old ash or vermiculite) that's dry. Be sure to let us know how it turns out if you try it.

above advice to be taken with a grain of salt, and always use protective equipment.

[keykeeper]

Check this link, scroll down the page, there is a marble inlay that explains it somewhat. If the hole is round, this should work.

Techniques and Projects

aaron

[blkbear]

I am interested in doing the same combination but with fireplace screens. I have not yet had to chance to try but the technique that I read was to forge your iron/steel to shape and then melt the glass into the area where you want the glass.
Seems pretty much what you had in mind. I have no marbles, being 55 and working ing the Canadian federal bureaucracy for 32 years, I have definitely lost them all!!, but was going to get cast offs from a stained glass shop for a bulk price.
It seemed to me that a fireplace screen with several spaces filled in with different coloured glass could be attractive in front of the fire and to potential customers. Customers could custom order screens and contribute to the design of them as well if they wished.

Brian

[gerald]

A marble inserted into the poper sized punched and drifted hole will work. I've seen it heated with a torch to keep things cleaner than in a forge. I've also seen folks break up different colored glass bottles (always remember safety glasses) and use that for an inset. Again, heating with a small welding tip on a torch is in order so the pieces aren't blown out of the hole before they melt. It's also helpful to back the hole with a plate to keep the glass in place until it cools enough to set.

[Blackbeard]

Well now theres a good idea with seemingly endless possibilitys! Combining glass and forged work without the need for any other special tools-NEAT!!!
Thanks for posting this interresting thread Pault17 and the great link keykeeper! Ive just learnt something new!!!
Bb

[cheftjcook]

Pault17, Thanks, I am really glad you started this thread and looking for answers. I've wondered about hot steel and glass together... one example, I have always wanted to put a marble into a basket twist. Forge the basket then twist, partial untwist and spread the basket just enough to slip a marble in the push the parts back and even up. I thought it would look so wild after it cooled, as a handle for something...But
Have to admit I was a tad nervous the marble coming in contact with the hot steel might explode, so I have been putting it off. Sliding of to the side of the bench for later, yeah later, thats right later! WEAK EXCUSE, I KNOW!
Now you got me fired up again to do it!! Thanks
(to anyone else in the know...the marble won't explode?...right?!?!?!)
TIM
(sorry, didn't mean to high jack your thread)