Lampwork Etc.
 
TrueDesign

LE Live Chat

Enter Live Chat

No users in chat


Jelveh Designs - Glass Beads Torched One-by-One

Glacial Art Glass


 

Go Back   Lampwork Etc. > Library > Tips, Techniques, and Questions

Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 2011-03-15, 9:42am
emoon's Avatar
emoon emoon is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 02, 2005
Location: South Carolina Lowcountry
Posts: 730
Cool ?? Tumbling beads to etch

Cuppla Quick questions. I wanted to forego using chemicals whenever possible, so I have been tumbling beads to etch them. This week I put in some new ribbed beads, and the etch only happens on the high side of the beads and not down in the crevasses. I added small seed beads to the mix to help, but that didn't work.

Any ideas that would save me from using etch-all?

Also, I have not come up with an efficient way to save the etching material. It is so fine that it stays in suspension and doesn't settle out, so draining off the water and saving the sludge doesn't happen. The matl. is so fine it goes right thru 2 coffee filters. I'd love to reuse the material if I could, and yes, I know, I am cheap...though I prefer to call it frugal!!
__________________
Melodie Lee, LeeBeads
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


leebeads.etsy.com, leebeads.artfire.com
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2011-03-15, 11:20am
JavaGirlBT JavaGirlBT is offline
A True Woofer
 
Join Date: Jun 13, 2005
Location: the land of nod
Posts: 3,895
Default

What number grit (I'm not sure if that's the right word - it would be if you were using sandpaper, not sure it's the same word) are you using?

I would experiment with also going longer, more grit, finer grit etc.
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2011-03-15, 1:57pm
Kalorlo's Avatar
Kalorlo Kalorlo is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 31, 2010
Location: London, UK
Posts: 358
Default

You could make it a design feature - that's something that you *can't* do easily with etch-all, and some people really like the effect.

Can't help otherwise I'm afraid - I'm not sure if it'll ever roughen as much in the crevasses as on the surface.

Does your grit not settle at all? I use silicon carbide (180 grit) for cleaning my beads, and most of it settles fairly quickly so you can pour off most of the water and not lose much and then just leave the rest to evaporate. If not, you could pour it into a wide tray so it'd evaporate faster. Or boil it!
But that might not be very efficient...

(ObDisclaimer: not in anything you would use to prepare food)
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2011-03-15, 2:10pm
kiko's Avatar
kiko kiko is offline
Hummel factory reject
 
Join Date: Jan 06, 2006
Location: New Yorkish
Posts: 615
Default

I mix my silicon carbide with distilled water and leave it in the tumbler to use again. Rinse the slurry off of the beads in a small bowl of water and let the s.c. settle to pour back in the tumbler. I use 800 grit but that is a matter of preference. Raised and creased areas do not etch well sorry.... You can use ceramic pyramids but even they don't get in the pesky crevices. Smooth objects etch the best.
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2011-03-15, 2:11pm
Kalera's Avatar
Kalera Kalera is offline
I'm a lilac!
 
Join Date: Jun 09, 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 8,793
Default

I've never been able to get beads to etch in crevices using a rock tumbler, no matter what. It can, however, be a great design element, especially with clear-encased beads.

I reuse the grit by straining the beads out and putting the combined fluid and grit back in the tumbler. I reuse the same grit a bunch of times this way, until it breaks down too fine to be useful. I don't mind using dirty fluid, it doesn't hurt anything.
__________________
-Kalera

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2011-03-15, 3:13pm
emoon's Avatar
emoon emoon is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 02, 2005
Location: South Carolina Lowcountry
Posts: 730
Default

I thought of using the same liquid, but won't it get stinky if it sits for a while? I guess I could refrigerate it.

I am using 1000# grit, silicon carbide. The slurry sat overnight, not much settled out. The etched surfaces are like velvet though! Wonder if I can put etch all over the recessed areas for a couple minutes to even the etch? Would be a great design feature, if I planned it that way!!
__________________
Melodie Lee, LeeBeads
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


leebeads.etsy.com, leebeads.artfire.com
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2011-03-15, 4:17pm
Kalera's Avatar
Kalera Kalera is offline
I'm a lilac!
 
Join Date: Jun 09, 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 8,793
Default

It doesn't really have anything in it that would get stinky... just silicon carbide and glass dust.
__________________
-Kalera

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 2011-03-15, 4:43pm
VivianLampwork's Avatar
VivianLampwork VivianLampwork is offline
http://youtu.be/nGt9jAkWi
 
Join Date: Oct 23, 2005
Location: Cullman, Alabama
Posts: 2,838
Default

I stick my hand in to get the beads out & reuse the liquid. The liquid doesn't stink but is dark gray from the carbide. I've been using the same liquid for about 2 years. I do have to add to it every so often. You can't tumble etch beads with raised silver wire because it will mess them up.
__________________

Vivian


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
-
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 2011-03-15, 4:49pm
Kalera's Avatar
Kalera Kalera is offline
I'm a lilac!
 
Join Date: Jun 09, 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 8,793
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by VivianLampwork View Post
I stick my hand in to get the beads out & reuse the liquid. The liquid doesn't stink but is dark gray from the carbide. I've been using the same liquid for about 2 years. I do have to add to it every so often. You can't tumble etch beads with raised silver wire because it will mess them up.
Yes; it pops the silver right off! I have a lovely bracelet that I made myself from beads with raised wire that I ruined by tumbling.
__________________
-Kalera

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 2011-03-15, 5:34pm
Ekkie's Avatar
Ekkie Ekkie is offline
Mad about Glass
 
Join Date: Nov 29, 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 1,052
Default

What is the ratio of grit to water? I would love to try this.
__________________
Jenn

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
[url]

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 2011-03-15, 5:45pm
Kevan's Avatar
Kevan Kevan is offline
Entropy increasing....
 
Join Date: Nov 12, 2005
Location: In a box of paints
Posts: 25,098
Default

You could always move to sand blasting them.
__________________
"I am an artist… I am here to live out loud." Emile Zola
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 2011-03-15, 8:07pm
emoon's Avatar
emoon emoon is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 02, 2005
Location: South Carolina Lowcountry
Posts: 730
Default

Kevan, What? More equipment???? I will think on it, I do love new tools!!

In the meantime, I will just save the liquid and reuse it. I think I will go to distilled water, too. I see rust in the water here fairly often.

Thank you, everyone, for helping me think this thru. I will try a quick etch-all on the receses and see if I can fix them. Then, I will plan better! Learning curve, always!!
__________________
Melodie Lee, LeeBeads
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


leebeads.etsy.com, leebeads.artfire.com
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 2011-03-15, 8:09pm
emoon's Avatar
emoon emoon is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 02, 2005
Location: South Carolina Lowcountry
Posts: 730
Default

Ekkie, I use about a Tablespoon to about a cup of water. It has worked well in the past. The surface of the bead is much more velvet-like than acid etching.
__________________
Melodie Lee, LeeBeads
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


leebeads.etsy.com, leebeads.artfire.com
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 2011-03-16, 6:08am
Dreamsincolor Dreamsincolor is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 04, 2010
Location: Missouri
Posts: 417
Default

I lived in SC for awhile and the water could get stinky in humid summer climate. Just add a drop or 2 of bleach to the water which won't hurt anything.

Andrea
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 2011-03-16, 6:11am
emoon's Avatar
emoon emoon is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 02, 2005
Location: South Carolina Lowcountry
Posts: 730
Default

Si, es bien!!! I figured, stagnant water does that!! And summers are 90-100 percent humidity, all day and night!!
__________________
Melodie Lee, LeeBeads
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


leebeads.etsy.com, leebeads.artfire.com
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 2011-03-16, 7:22am
chrisdd's Avatar
chrisdd chrisdd is offline
Crispy Critter
 
Join Date: Jun 05, 2005
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 3,300
Default

What kind of grit do y'all use and where do you buy it?
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 2011-03-16, 8:32am
Kalera's Avatar
Kalera Kalera is offline
I'm a lilac!
 
Join Date: Jun 09, 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 8,793
Default

Graded 220 grit from here: http://www.therockshed.com/grit1.html
__________________
-Kalera

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 2011-03-16, 8:52am
mtnglass's Avatar
mtnglass mtnglass is offline
T.J. made me do it
 
Join Date: May 09, 2007
Location: Tahoe-Douglas, NV
Posts: 1,120
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevan View Post
You could always move to sand blasting them.
We have a sandblasting business and I can tell you from experience that by the time you get all the grooves etched the ridges are greatly diminished. I use Etch-All and believe me, I have access to any and all sandblasting equipment.
__________________
Julie
-Outwest Art Glass

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 2011-03-16, 8:57am
chrisdd's Avatar
chrisdd chrisdd is offline
Crispy Critter
 
Join Date: Jun 05, 2005
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 3,300
Default

Thanks, Kalera, they've got all sorts of goodies.
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 2011-03-16, 9:45am
Kalera's Avatar
Kalera Kalera is offline
I'm a lilac!
 
Join Date: Jun 09, 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 8,793
Default

I love that place!
__________________
-Kalera

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 2011-03-16, 11:47am
emoon's Avatar
emoon emoon is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 02, 2005
Location: South Carolina Lowcountry
Posts: 730
Default

Kalera, you use 220 grit? That would be substantially heavier than the 1000 grade i have been using...would maybe settle out in the slurry.
__________________
Melodie Lee, LeeBeads
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


leebeads.etsy.com, leebeads.artfire.com
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 2011-03-16, 12:00pm
JavaGirlBT JavaGirlBT is offline
A True Woofer
 
Join Date: Jun 13, 2005
Location: the land of nod
Posts: 3,895
Default

I think the 1000 makes the bead so much smoother and softer than a coarser grit, though.
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 2011-03-16, 12:17pm
Kalera's Avatar
Kalera Kalera is offline
I'm a lilac!
 
Join Date: Jun 09, 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 8,793
Default

I like finer grit for some things, but prefer a more textural finish for most of my beads. I'm pretty sure it's the 220... I long ago lost the label. It's like a fine beach sand.
__________________
-Kalera

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 2011-03-16, 2:43pm
tweeky clothespin's Avatar
tweeky clothespin tweeky clothespin is offline
Oh my!
 
Join Date: Mar 05, 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,418
Default

I don't even add water.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 2011-03-20, 4:31am
Ekkie's Avatar
Ekkie Ekkie is offline
Mad about Glass
 
Join Date: Nov 29, 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 1,052
Default

Thanks Melodie.
__________________
Jenn

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
[url]

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 2011-04-22, 7:25am
Pia Kaven's Avatar
Pia Kaven Pia Kaven is offline
Bum-chaka-laka-laka
 
Join Date: Jun 05, 2010
Location: Dallas, TX.
Posts: 4,358
Default

I know this thread has probably already solved the problem for Emoon, however I wanted to add, that sandblasting a piece will not give it the silky look, unless you etch of tumble them afterwards. Maybe if you used some finer media to sandblast them with, but usually the sandblasted look like lapped without polishing. Antoher way of getting sandblased the silky look is to oil it. But when talked about jewelry, that is most likely out of the question!
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 2011-04-22, 9:54am
Kalera's Avatar
Kalera Kalera is offline
I'm a lilac!
 
Join Date: Jun 09, 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 8,793
Default

I use the same grit in my sandblaster as I do in my tumbler, and it gives pretty much the same finish... I do lightly wax all my tumbled and sandblasted pieces.
__________________
-Kalera

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 2011-04-22, 11:19am
PittsGlass's Avatar
PittsGlass PittsGlass is offline
Glass Hive Kiln Tech.
 
Join Date: Jun 23, 2007
Location: Toledo, OR
Posts: 907
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kalera View Post
Graded 220 grit from here: http://www.therockshed.com/grit1.html
Great prices. Thanks for the link, I bookmarked it.
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
Henry David Thoreau
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 2011-04-22, 11:53am
Pia Kaven's Avatar
Pia Kaven Pia Kaven is offline
Bum-chaka-laka-laka
 
Join Date: Jun 05, 2010
Location: Dallas, TX.
Posts: 4,358
Default

Im dumb, orcourse yes you can also do that with the sandblaster... if you use the really fine grit. I dont use my sandblaster to get the etched results, I use it to grind the glass... there for I use much coarser grit. Ok, I am awake now!
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 2011-04-24, 10:01am
judejudejude judejudejude is offline
judejudejude
 
Join Date: Aug 09, 2008
Location: Salt Spring Island BC, Canada
Posts: 96
Default

yesterday i bought a lortone tumbler (model 45C) from our local rock and gem store as well as tumbler pellets (looks like 4ml plastic round beads) and 220 silicone carbide grit. i put about 50-60 fugly boro pendants of all shapes and sizes (largest being about an inch across and about a dozen small hollow tear drop shaped pendants ), 3 tablespoons of the grit and one tub of the plastic beads(about a 1 lb margarine container) and water enough to almost cover the mix. i plugged the tumbler in at 7:30 last night and this morning at 8am i wanted to see what was happening. everyone of them has a silky satin finish. i thought this would take about 2-3 days for boro. i decided to keep them in till this evening to see the difference and then try some soft glass and then some of my nicer boro pendants. i love it and can't wait to see what i will do with the fuglies now. i think the more solid color ones are going to be really nice. i too am worried about the etching liquids and creams but love the effect. the initial cost to me was 175 and probably if i wasn't so impatient i could have found a better price but i am real happy with what it does.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:15am.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Your IP: 52.90.181.205