Tuesday, April 7, 2009
















My first experiment will be the detail quality. I made a random shape to mold and a box for moldmaking. I engraved details in the shape and I will see how clearly they show in the plastic cast. I think I will also test the pigmentation aspect of the plastic in the same test to save on materials.





My tests in class were to see what was the best technique to vacuum form 1/16th inch acrylic. I tried flipping the acrylic as soon as it started to melt. The next two techniques were time based. One where I would leave the heater on for 30 seconds then off for 10 and the other was on for 100 seconds and off for 60. I found that so far the best way was the 30 seconds on and 10 seconds off.

Carolyn's 1st Glass Experiment


For my first fine glass experiment I looked into cutting sheets of glass. I tried using a tool that was just for glass cutting and a tool that was for both glass and tile cutting. The process overall was very easy and involved taking one of the cutters and oiling the cutting wheel and scoring the glass. After you scored the glass you could easily snap it with running pliers. As I was experimenting I found that the tool for just glass cutting was easier to use because of its smaller size, making it easier to direct. Also the the plastic running pliers worked a lot better then the metal ones attached to the glass/tile cutter. For both tools straight lines were fairly easy to make. A quarter circle off of a corner of a piece of glass also was fairly sample and the large the piece and curve, the smooth the cut was. Cutting out more then a quarter circle and in any section of the glass besides the edge of the glass was not possible. Wavy lines were only possible and smooth if it was only a slight wave and not too complex. The only was to cut something out like a square was to have it cut through the piece in one direction all the way through and then in the next direction. It was not possible to score only a section of the glass and not have it continue off the scoring and break the entire sheet. I do feel I still need some practice to get nicer, smoother cuts but this has taught me a lot about my limitations.