FAQ Index

Importance of a light table and construction ideas

Odyssey Lamp Systems
Worden System.
Comparing Worden & Odyssey methods of construction
No oxidation with this method of construction
Grouting a mold
Alternatives to grouting
Add stability
Draw directional guidelines
A hint about using Worden molds
Protecting styrofoam molds

CHOOSING GLASS

Making glass choices
“Bleeding” colors
Choosing background
Finding flowers in glass
Art glass & lighting a shade
Iridescent glass
Textured glass
Hot spots
Variation in Glass Thickness
Glass Terminology

PATTERN PREPARATION

“Windows”
Use “windows” to purchase glass
Use “windows” to lay out pattern
Special background considerations
Remedy for cutting problems
Holding copies
Reference copies
Glass easels
Laying out mylar pattern
Follow pattern
Final look at the easels

HINTS ON PATTERN PREPARATION

Color paper patterns
Removing outlines
Cutting “windows”
Mastic instead of glue stick
Reduce a pattern
Use a computer & scanner to make copies
Make more than one lamp with the same pattern
Easel hints
Laying our glass at night
Storing glass pieces

SCORING/BREAKING GLASS

Ideas on successful cutting
Grozing
Morton System
Mosaic cutters
Protect wheels
Solving cutter problems
Tips on cutting glass
Cutting special glass

GRINDING

Grinder Bits
Direction
Sequence
Rubber finger do-dads
Drilling holes in glass
Removing grinder sludge
“Stuck “ bits
Don’t get cut!
Mark the Bit
Saws
Preserving lines
Make your own saw

FOILING

Determining width
Restoring adhesiveness
Differences in adhesiveness
Protecting foil
Process
Foiling ripple glass
Foiling jewels, globs
Foiling a “valley"
Burnishing
Burnishing surface
Separating feature on dispenser
Hold dispenser in place
Eliminate oxidation

FITTING GLASS ONTO THE MOLD

Cut to the pattern
Check spacing
Turntable
Tacky Wax
Final check
Make your own wax
Alternatives to wax

LAMP POSITIONERS

Comparison of levelers
Lessons learned
Wire basket

SOLDER/SOLDERING

Differences in solder
Flux
Tinning
Beading
Thin solder lines
Eliminate dripping solder
Protect your lamp between sessions
Irons & tips
Care of the tip
Lead-free solder
Solder not “taking”
Gaps & bronze wool
Soldering discussion
Reinforcing

REINFORCING LAMPS

SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION CONSIDERATIONS

Fitting glass, brass crown and branches on the Wisteria
Don’t tin Odyssey’s caps, crowns
Cobweb/Apple Blossom
Special considerations for cast branches
Turtleback shade
Lighting the Turtleback base
Spider lamp
22” Dragonfly
Chestnut design
Reinforcing the Laburnum