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View Full Interactive Version Of This Page : Pre-fired vs. non-pre-fired dichroic strips


tracidawn78
2009-02-07, 9:10pm
So I took a weekend trip to Austin and got to go to the Austin Thin Films factory. My stepmom and I spent forever in the scrap room and I managed to get out of there with about 2 lbs of 104 dichroic glass for really really cheap. I found some pre-fired strips in the scraps, and I also bought some pre-packaged dichroic strips that weren't in the scrap pile. These are the prefired ones I bought http://store.valueweb.com/servlet/dichro/Detail?no=11 and the other ones look like this, except I picked out only long thin scraps of it http://store.valueweb.com/servlet/dichro/Detail?no=444

Here's my newb question (I've hardly done anything dichroic-wise in the torch, only fusing in the kiln): Do I need to fire the unfired strips in the kiln before I use it in the torch, or does it not matter? Am I going to get different results with the pre-fired vs. unfired? If I DO need to prefire them, what do you suggest I fire it at in my kiln so it doesn't get too melty? Any tips would be appreciated :)

elle
2009-02-08, 6:33am
Pre-fused is the only way to go. Dichro scums like crazy in the flame if you don't fuse it first. But I couldn't tell you what temp to fuse it at. I buy my pre-fused 104 dichro from Frantz, so if nobody here can tell you, they might be able to.

Sarah

Otter's Flame
2009-02-08, 8:14pm
Tracidawn,
I bring all my dichro to a fire polish/soft slump temp in my kiln before I use it for lampworking. Just enough to round off the edges of your strips. I also find it cheaper to buy sheet 104 dichro, cut the strips myself and fire polish it in the kiln. It really helps prevent scumming and makes it easier to work.

Otter

Shawn T
2009-02-08, 11:34pm
I am sending all mine to Otter to prefire for me. :poke:

glasshouse
2009-02-09, 1:03am
I believe Cynthia Tilker (glassactcc) uses unfired dichro and she does everything you're not supposed to with amazing results. But she is magic
with glass. The prefired dichro is thicker. You could try both and see what you like.

Otter's Flame
2009-02-09, 3:00am
:waving: Hi Shawn!!!!!!
Send all your dichro this way my friend, it would be my pleasure to pre-fire it for you!

Otter