I would like to give glass chipping a try. I have seen some of this technique on the BB before. Can any one lend some helpful tips on how to set up patterns and where to buy the supplies needed.
I would also like to know what type and thickness of glass you guys use. My uncle owns a glass shop and has a local bar looking for this type of work done for behind the bar.
I guess another question would be how to price a job with this type of technique. The glass would be (2)4'x8' panles.
Thank you Scot Reedy
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
A great source of supplies and knowlege is Rick Glawson at Esoteric Sign Supples! (a Letterhead supplier and supporter!!!)
Scot from the Queen City of Cinnnncinnnnnati What's going on? Looking fur a little glue chip action eh?
Go to a woodworkers store and get the Animal Hide Glue. Get a Melting Pot or just some Glass measuring cups. You can use sandblast stencil or just contact paper for your mask. Sandblast it enough to take the shine off the glass. Soak the glue....melt it, to just about boiling..Glue to water 1 to 1....poour on area that's blasted...wait til it hardens enough so it will not flow out on it's own....cut around the glue areas. Peel off mask....watch chip.
Get Bob Mitchell's Glue Chip book...go to Letterhead Meet. Attend Cyclones Hockey games. Visit Signs O' the Times on 403 Gilbert Street. Research old Mags, slap Tod on the back.
4 X 8 behind a bar huh? That's a Big Piece to be doing m'boy! I've seen it done to all thickeness's. GO FOR IT!!!!!
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
Mr. Meyer, where can you buy the glue chipping book? I've never seen that one before.
Sorry to take this up on your post Scot!
Posted by Scot Reedy (Member # 3297) on :
No problem I am wondering the same thing Amy
So where do you find books on this subject?
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
My advice would be to practice a bunch before trying to do an actual job. There are hundreds of things that can go wrong (and usually do)and the process is affected by humidity, thickness of glue, etc. so that it is difficult to obtain a consistent result. Do a bunch of small sample pieces and record exactly what you do with each, so that when you arrive at the look you want you will have known have you got there.
The book that Mike mentioned is now out of print, but you might be able to get one through Esoteric, which is the single best source for both materials and advice.
It is a fascinating process. Pricing would be something that you need to carefully consider. It is time consuming and you may end up eating a bunch of glass, so the price needs to be high enough to cover your mistakes.
Good luck.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
I bought Bob's book through SignCraft, however, it was years ago. Do a search on the subject of glue chipping on this board and you will find much useful information. As previously noted, Rick Glawson is a living encyclopedia on this process and many others. I've done glue chip signs for almost 20 years, although Rick probably does more of them in a fortnight than I do in a decade.
On smaller size pieces of glass, I use 1/4". If planning on a 4' x 8' sign, you should use thicker glass. The glue exerts tremendous force on the glass and can break a thin piece. Of course, it also depends on how much area will be chipped.
I thought I should edit this to piggyback onto Raymond's comment. Glue chipping is an inexact science, at best. Temperature, humidity, how desperate you are to get the job done, the way you hold your tongue, the BCS poll standings, the point spread on the NFL Game of the Week and a myriad of other factors will influence your success, or lack thereof.
Raymond's advice is good, get a notebook and document each variable to see what works best for you. After many years of trying, I have found some techniques that work for me... most of the time. I have often felt the first glue chip on glass job was a mistake from glue spillage and whoever accidently got that effect spent a long time trying to duplicate whatever happened so he could control it. That guy also thought he could train his cat.
[ November 28, 2002, 01:55 AM: Message edited by: David Harding ]
Posted by jmathel (Member # 526) on :
Scot, If you can find a Feb 2001 issue of Sign Builder Illustrated in has a step-by-step article on glue chipping glass that I wrote. A 4x8 is going to be a major project.
Posted by Real Mercier (Member # 362) on :
Mike Jackson had an excellent article in Signcraft magazine I believe a couple of years back. See if you can get a reprint. I tried his method and got very good results the first time. Also I ordered the supplies from Esoteric Sign Supply and they were very helpful also.
I hope this helps.
Posted by Terry Colley (Member # 1245) on :
My advice is 1 Call Rick 2Make the heated cabinet {Rick has the design} 3 get the right sandblast light frost with about a 120 grit 4 be patient 5Do some Practice panels first Read th Jackson article SignCraft July August 1997 Call Rick Cheers Terry
