Has any one used this frit maker?

[Angie09]

Looks like I need to make my own frit once in a while and I know there is a thread showing how to make a frit masher with pipes ... but ... I found this last night and wonder if any one has one and what you think of it. It's from Devardi and looks like the same principle but just already made up. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

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[Elizabeth Beads]

I make frit by heating up the glass in my kiln, then very carefully removing it with tongs and immersing it in ice water. It is very easy to crush any larger pieces left.

[Angie09]

Elizabeth... what temp do you heat to?

[Elizabeth Beads]

The hotter the better, but if going above the slumping point be sure to use kiln shelf paper. For small amounts of frit, melt a gather with your torch and plunge or let drop into clean ice water. Use a stainless steel bowl.

[glass obsessed]

I have used something similar and was not please mostly because of the glass dust that is created. So unhealthy.

There is a new item just coming out that cuts the glass instead of crushing it. It is called the "Glass Eater" and I am thinking it will be much safer. One can pre-order the "Glass Eater" right now from Ed Hoy's. But I am not sure when it will actually arrive.

[cgbeads]

I have one I bought from somewhere else (but can't remember where).
Hate it. The black paint chips off and is a problem getting out of the frit. You also get a magnet with it so you can remove the metal flakes (from the crusher) from the frit, annoying. Then there is the dust, but you'll get that with most crushing processes.

I'd also advise the water trick if your not going into full blown production mode. You can also just heat a blob in the flame and plunge it into a glass of ice water.

-D

[tammydownunder]

In addition to what the others are saying, I use my shorts to make frit. Then I sieve it using different size mesh. I find the brass mesh works great for #2 and a common tea strainer works for #1. That said, most of the commercial frit is usually 96 or 92 coe and that why you get the lovely reactions.

[Angie09]

The hotter the better, but if going above the slumping point be sure to use kiln shelf paper. For small amounts of frit, melt a gather with your torch and plunge or let drop into clean ice water. Use a stainless steel bowl.

Hey Elizabeth...why a stainless steel bowl? Would pewter bowls work?

Thanks for all the help!

[Elizabeth Beads]

Pewter would be fine. I should have been more clear. Ceramic should work too and probably even Pyrex. I just use stainless steel myself so that is what I typed.

[Angie09]

OK ... guess I will forget the masher and get out the ice cubes and torch. You all saved me some money and it's greatly appreciated!!! Thanks to you all!!

[Alaska]

The Home Depot version.

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[FosterFire]

I just heat a blob and drop it into water. Watch out for the steam though, it can burn you. I have used a metal frit masher made by Steinert and then a magnet to remove teeny metal pieces.

[Angie09]

Do you have a link to the Steinert one? I found their website but it doesn't seem to be working.

[RSimmons]

Try blowing a bubble on a small blowpipe like you would for making shards and then dipping it in water in a metal bowl while it's hot. You can make some very interesting frit this way without the dust of the 'pounding' systems.
Robert