How to Make a Glass Carving Area to Work In
Glass carving is one of three different methods used to create visual effects on glass. By blasting, or carving, a design deep into the glass, the artist can create a 3-D design. Creating a glass carving area to work in requires specialized equipment, proper ventilation and enough space to set up the equipment necessary to create carved glass.
Things You'll Need
- Air compressor
- Sand blaster
- Blasting cabinet with dust collector
- Dual cartridge respirator or blasting hood
- Eye protection
- Ear protection
Instructions
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Creating a Glass Carving Area
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1
Determine whether a blasting room will be necessary. The average blast room is 8 feet long, 8 feet high and 6 feet deep, and allows for carving large pieces of glass. If you will only be carving small pieces of glass, a blast room is probably not necessary.
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2
Once you have determined where you will create your glass carving area, confirm that there is significant ventilation. Even though proper sand blasting equipment includes a dust collector, dust that will contain glass particles will escape.
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3
Purchase a sand blaster. Two types of blasters are available – pressure blasters and syphon blasters. Pressure blasters normally cost more than siphon blasters, but are easier to use and work faster. Pressure blasters also use less air, placing less strain on the air compressor. The sand blaster you choose will indicate how much air you need from the compressor, which is why you will need to select the sand blaster before you purchase the compressor.
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4
Purchase an air compressor. Do not select a compressor based on horsepower. Instead, base it on the amount of air it puts out. Small air compressors can offer the same horsepower as large compressors, but the amount of air put out can vary substantially. Check the requirements for the blaster and choose a compressor that provides 2 to 3 times the amount of air recommended.
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5
Purchase a blasting cabinet. Glass carving cabinets are wider and taller from front to back to accommodate a variety of glass sizes. The door should be as large as possible because many cabinets designed only to carve the largest size of glass that fits through the cabinet door. Cabinets are available that offer slotted side or top openings that allow larger pieces of glass, but these are normally more expensive than single-opening cabinets.
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Set up the equipment as directed by the manufacturer.
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7
Purchase the resists and abrasives necessary for creating carved glass. Resists are similar to stencils and have an adhesive back, allowing them to be placed on the glass as a guide for carving.
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Tips & Warnings
In addition to the carving equipment, adding a storage location for the abrasives, resists, and extra respirator cartridges you will need can keep you organized.
The abrasives used in glass carving can be hazardous. Breathing sand dust into the lungs can cause silicosis, which is a fatal lung disease. Most glass carvers use silicon carbide rather than sand because the dust created is considered a nuisance but not hazardous. Because silicon carbide can still lead to breathing problems, it is critical to use proper breathing protection at all times when carving glass.
Glass carving involves the use of high-pressure air that makes eye and skin protection crucial. Always wear safety glasses and gloves when carving glass. A blasting hood should be worn if you are using a blasting room rather than a blasting cabinet as a cartridge respirator will not be adequate.
Ear plugs are also recommended because blasting equipment can be loud.
References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
