Practice Problems

DavidC

Here's my main question. This is broken glass embedded in the concrete surface. When I pass over it with the grinder, pieces pull out and go flying. There are also voids below the intended surface. My thought is to fill the area with clear epoxy to fill the voids and secure the loose pieces so I can then grind it smooth.

Will this work or is there a better solution?



Here's another experiment. I sliced a section of glass jars and used spray adhesive to position them in the form. The adhesive didn't hold and they floated up a bit. I had to do a bit more grinding than anticipated in order to bring out the shape. Any thoughts on how to hold them in place better next time?



TIA

Good Luck
Dave

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genecarp

Sent you a pm

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DavidC

The epoxy fix is working so far. The next two passes with the grinder were without incident and only 4 more grits to go :>) I used a crystal clear 2 part mix from Zinnser and will use this as the sealer when finished. Been on their website and can't find any info on weather or not it would be food safe. Other than that I think I'm going to like the looks of the epoxy finish.

I'll post some pics after grinding is complete.

Good Luck
Dave

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6stringmason

Maybe next time slice them the thickness of your top. Then while your vibrating place some weigh on the glass to help hold it.

Did you spray adhesive on your top and then put the glass shards in, or just dump then in and then put the concrete down? I've never really tried to make spots like that using only recycled glass, but I imagine they are flaking because they didnt get mixed in very well with the crete to hold em in place. Hard to say though. I'd be interested to see what gene had to say about it.

Gene, could you forward me that pm you sent him?

One thing about expoxy sealers, they'll yellow if youre using them outside. Plus they scratch alot easier than say a good polyeura aspartic (sp?)

I like that glass jar idea though. Nice job!

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DavidC

Yes, the form was sprayed with adhesive before placing the glass. On one peice I made a stencil to put the glue where I wanted, then placed the glass. The overage was easily vacuumed away. I did make sure to carefully place the concrete over the patterns. For the yin/yang I made a form using .025 aluminum to contain the glass, placed the concrete, vibrated, lifted out the aluminum form and pressed in the mesh. Next time I would probably use the epoxy over the deeper glass portion before grinding.

The inspiration for the jars was a piece I saw on the web using a wine bottle. I can't cut a wine bottle with my little wet saw so reached for something I could do for practice.

Good Luck
Dave

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Hoven

For the bottles try a very thin layer of silicone spread on with a razor blade clean excess allow to dry before placement. For the glass it looks like either the glass wasn't worked into the surface enough if you poured upright or the glass on the bottom of a form piled up a little and the paste never got around the pieces because of their overlap. Still Kudos for experimenting and having fun with it.
If you Get a chance checkout betterpaths on the Tube. Brian Gauthier is his name. I was impressed with his work but his website needs some nerdy female attention. The geode with the glass inside then filled with pourable epoxy Wow impressive . Im thinkin I may rip mine out after seeing that.
As far as the food safe sealer or not? I never cut meat or make peanut butter and jellies directly on my counter. I dont plan on lickin it anytime soon either so does it really matter unless it is in a resaurant or public eatery?

DavidC

Thanks for the comments Hoven. I did check out a bit of the Betterpaths, nice looking stuff. You may know of Concrete Connections already. The galleries there have some awesome stuff.

My concern for "food safe" is saleability. I hope to make this a part of our business and want to assure the clients that it is safe in their kitchen. I'd have no problem with the epoxy at home.

Good Luck
Dave

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DavidC

Here is the yin yang after repair and ground to 400 grit. I may stop there due to problems with the grinder and just move to the epoxy as the sealer.



And another view;



Another piece in the same run. This one will be my computer desk.



I keep getting called away so this project is dragging out. But the good part about having a problem is it makes you think. Between that and internet searches I have more ideas to try than I'll ever have time for.

And thanks to you guys for the coaching.

Good Luck
Dave

Good Luck
Dave

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DavidC

The epoxy is not without issues but they don't show in the photo so I guess it's alright to show.



Good Luck
Dave

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