DIY Glass Slumping
You can slump glass using molds to form shapes such as presentation platters, candy bowls, vases, stained glass lamp panels, or jewelry. Glass is slumped by heating it in a kiln to temperatures of 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit to 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit. At this point, it softens enough to bend into the shape of the mold upon which it was placed. Glass slumping requires access to a kiln large enough to safely hold the piece of glass you want to shape.
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Things You'll Need
- Kiln wash
- Kiln brush
- Kiln mold
- Safety glasses
- Glass
- Glass cutter
- Glass pliers
- Glass grinder
- Soap and water
- Lint-free cloth
- Latex or nitrile gloves
- Kiln glue
- Kiln shelf
- Kiln
Instructions
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1
Paint the kiln wash, which prevents the glass from sticking to the mold, so it smoothly covers the kiln mold. Allow it to dry, and repeat the process until the mold is covered in a few layers of kiln wash.
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2
Cut the glass into the shape required for the project using the glass cutter and pliers, then smooth the sharp edges with the grinder, if required. This decreases the risk of cutting yourself while handling the glass. This step is optional if you already have a piece of glass in the shape required for the project, such as glass that is already fused into a flat panel.
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3
Wash the glass to remove any fingerprints or oil left by the glass cutter. Oils on the glass can create dark shadows that remain after fusing. Handle the glass carefully after this, or use the gloves, to avoid leaving more fingerprints on it.
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4
Place the glass piece carefully on the mold. If you are slumping more than one piece of glass together, you can use kiln glue to hold the pieces in place.
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5
Set the mold with the glass on the kiln's shelf.
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Turn the kiln on and set the fusing program to slump glass as per the manufacturer's instruction manual.
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Tips & Warnings
If you do not have a kiln, check with local stained glass stores to find out if they have one or know of anyone in the area who gives classes that include permission to use their kiln.
You can also slump glass that has already been fused, which provides a fun way to combine colors and textures into a new project.
Make sure to prepare a new kiln before use as per the manufacturer's instructions. This may require a quick, careful vacuum to remove dust, and then treating the kiln's floor, shelf, walls and top of the kiln with kiln wash to prevent glass that pops off the project from sticking to its interior.
Always use safety glasses when cutting or grinding glass.
Make sure you are using glass that is classified as having the same thermal co-efficient of expansion, or COE. Glass with different COEs heats and cools at different rates, causing stress between the different pieces that can lead to cracks.
Never leave the kiln completely unattended while it is in use. Some kiln fusing programs take hours, so it does not have to be watched every minute, but it is a good idea to check on it regularly.
