Sandblasting/Glass Carving ???

I have a project in mind that involves corporate/organizational logos carved
into ceramic coffee mugs and also into stock 3/16" thick bevels,
incorporating them into a suncatcher.

As a test, I had a local sign place make me some vinyl resists with the
logo, which I transferred to some mugs for testing. My first products were
not "crisp", in that where I blasted away the ceramic glaze did not leave a
sharp edge.

So, it brings at least 2 questions up.

First, I think that I was spraying a much too wide pattern with the
blaster. I felt like I wasn't able to concentrate the grit stream where I
wanted it....

Second, I think I was using too coarse of a grit.

I'd appreciate some guidance as to the size of the nozzle for the blaster,
and what mesh grit should I be using? Air pressure?

Not done any ceramic blasting but know that several members of the
Sandcarver forum do a lot of this.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sandcarving/

I dont know if you can ask questions without being a member but it is
easy to join and you can set preferences not to receive the many
emails but look at the messages online.

Elizabeth in UK
http://www.stainedglass.co.uk

Hi Moonraker,

So it didn't follow the line you wanted? Did the edges of your stencil peel
back?

It almost sounds like you weren't picking up enough sand in your gun. Are
you using a presure pot or siphon feed?

I would be using at least 70 to 80 psi. I basicly use beach sand.

The coarser the grit, the more materail it will remove. It will leave a
rougher finish. The finer grit leaves a softer finish, but removes much less
material. Are you looking for depth of cut or just an even finish?

Using a smaller tip will definatley give a more concentrated cutting area.

If you want to actually carve away material and have more of a 3D effect I
would try using diamond bits. Balls, points, ect....

I use 1/16" rubber sheet stock to cut my stencils out of. I use a spray can
adhesive to stick then the glass. I have to be carefull with angle of my gun
when shooting the edges. Shoot away from the edge, not at the edge.

Randy Hansen
SC Glass Tech.
Scam Diego, Comi-fornia



"Moonraker" wrote in message
. ..
I have a project in mind that involves corporate/organizational logos
carved
into ceramic coffee mugs and also into stock 3/16" thick bevels,
incorporating them into a suncatcher.

As a test, I had a local sign place make me some vinyl resists with the
logo, which I transferred to some mugs for testing. My first products
were
not "crisp", in that where I blasted away the ceramic glaze did not leave
a
sharp edge.

So, it brings at least 2 questions up.

First, I think that I was spraying a much too wide pattern with the
blaster. I felt like I wasn't able to concentrate the grit stream where I
wanted it....

Second, I think I was using too coarse of a grit.

I'd appreciate some guidance as to the size of the nozzle for the blaster,
and what mesh grit should I be using? Air pressure?

I would be using at least 70 to 80 psi. I basicly use beach sand.

Randy Hansen
SC Glass Tech.
Scam Diego, Comi-fornia

Considering your signature, do you believe in respirators when using beach
sand?

--
Mike Firth
Hot Glass Bits Furnace Working Website
http://users.ticnet.com/mikefirth/hotbit46.htm Latest notes

I believe in respirators for what ever medium you would choose to blast
with. Along with that, eye protection, gloves, ear plugs, and completely
covering yourself from the residual dust cloud. But that wasn't Moonrakers
question.

I don't feel I have to offer a complete training session for each question I
choose to answer. Especially when the person asking is a group member and
shop owner. I think Moonraker knows how to take care of himself the way he
sees fit. Just as I would not feel I would have to tell you to remember to
wear your respirator. That is if you ever asked a question I could answer.

Frankly, if your not smart enough to take proper precautions to protect
yourself, you should stay out of the shop. If you don't know how to take
proper precautions you should look it up or ........ask. I'm sure you will
get plenty of good advise in this group as well as others.

I'm not sure what any off that has to do with my signature however.......

My signature is just my own way of protesting the totally out of control
bureaucracy governing this state and city. Most people outside of San Diego
have heard of our fires. But do they know that 3 of our sitting city
councilmen went in front of a grand jury after being busted by the FBI for
taking bribes from Las Vegas strip club owners. Or that Moodies has black
listed our city bonds. Calling them worthless because for the past 9 years
our city officials have blatantly lied about the short funding of the city
employees retirement fund to the tune of 2 billion dollars. That is 2
BILLION dollars that they now have to make up before they can get a good
rating back to sell the bonds to fix the sewer and water systems. They need
to sell the bonds because they had been robbing the sewer, police, fire and
water funds for years for political payoffs to the city employee unions to
get their votes, and all sorts of other pet projects. The feds are now
investigating our city council because of all the corruption.

Now don't even get me started on states problems from being run a bunch of
over zealous leftist premadonnas!

I'm trying to keep this short.

Randy Hansen
SC Glass Tech
Scam Diego, Comi-fornia


"Mike Firth" wrote in message
...
I would be using at least 70 to 80 psi. I basicly use beach sand.

Randy Hansen
SC Glass Tech.
Scam Diego, Comi-fornia

Considering your signature, do you believe in respirators when using
beach
sand?

--
Mike Firth
Hot Glass Bits Furnace Working Website
http://users.ticnet.com/mikefirth/hotbit46.htm Latest notes

Hey Moonraker...

If you want better control you'll need to go with a pressure blaster. I use
a Harbor Freight unit that I modified with a gun and other parts from
Pickard Artistic Blasting I think it is (check out the yahoo sandcarver
group..Lotsa nice folks over there).. I use a 5/32 carbide nozzle and 100
grit silicon carbide. You can use finer carbide if your doing glassware
etc.. I blast mainly large doors for 'Pantry' etc..


--
Byron...
Wells Glassworks
www.wellsglassworks.com


"Moonraker" wrote in message
. ..
I have a project in mind that involves corporate/organizational logos
carved
into ceramic coffee mugs and also into stock 3/16" thick bevels,
incorporating them into a suncatcher.

As a test, I had a local sign place make me some vinyl resists with the
logo, which I transferred to some mugs for testing. My first products
were
not "crisp", in that where I blasted away the ceramic glaze did not leave
a
sharp edge.

So, it brings at least 2 questions up.

First, I think that I was spraying a much too wide pattern with the
blaster. I felt like I wasn't able to concentrate the grit stream where I
wanted it....

Second, I think I was using too coarse of a grit.

I'd appreciate some guidance as to the size of the nozzle for the blaster,
and what mesh grit should I be using? Air pressure?

Thanks for the info...what pressures do you use?


"Byron Wells" wrote in message
m...
Hey Moonraker...

If you want better control you'll need to go with a pressure blaster. I
use
a Harbor Freight unit that I modified with a gun and other parts from
Pickard Artistic Blasting I think it is (check out the yahoo sandcarver
group..Lotsa nice folks over there).. I use a 5/32 carbide nozzle and 100
grit silicon carbide. You can use finer carbide if your doing glassware
etc.. I blast mainly large doors for 'Pantry' etc..


--
Byron...
Wells Glassworks
www.wellsglassworks.com


"Moonraker" wrote in message
. ..
I have a project in mind that involves corporate/organizational logos
carved
into ceramic coffee mugs and also into stock 3/16" thick bevels,
incorporating them into a suncatcher.

As a test, I had a local sign place make me some vinyl resists with the
logo, which I transferred to some mugs for testing. My first products
were
not "crisp", in that where I blasted away the ceramic glaze did not
leave
a
sharp edge.

So, it brings at least 2 questions up.

First, I think that I was spraying a much too wide pattern with the
blaster. I felt like I wasn't able to concentrate the grit stream where
I
wanted it....

Second, I think I was using too coarse of a grit.

I'd appreciate some guidance as to the size of the nozzle for the
blaster,
and what mesh grit should I be using? Air pressure?

I have done it using photo resist and a pressure pot at 40psi. Abrasive is
about 180 grit aluminum oxide. The smaller the grit, the finer the lines
you can make, even though it takes a little bit longer.
The nozzle I use is the cone shaped ceramic one they sell at Harbor
Freight, I think it is about 3/16".

--
There are no mistakes, only unexplored techniques

Usually about 40psi.. When I do onsite blasting with my recycling siphon
blaster I have to use 60-70 and it eats a LOT of air..

"Moonraker" wrote in message
.. .
Thanks for the info...what pressures do you use?