Watch a short
1:37 clip from our second video!
(Requires Windows Media Player)
The most important things to remember during encasement with
BoroCoatingsTM by Dichroic Alchemy
are:
1.) Your oxygen pressure should be as high
as you feel brave, between 40lbs to 90lbs of pressure. The
propane on the torch should be mixed in a relationship of
1/3 propane to 1/2 of the oxygen flame.
2.) You should work in the part of the flame about
5-10 inches from the tip depending on the torch. All torches
I’ve tried need you to turn on all the oxygen valves
(inner and outer) but only open the inner propane. When doing
large pieces, open your outer propane knob just enough to
light up the outer flame using it to inject a larger flame
into the center fire, while still retaining a high oxygen
flame.
3.) The temperature of the strip of BoroCoatingsTM
by Dichroic Alchemy dichro prior to encasement should be lightly
heated in the flame on the glass side until the metal breaks
up slightly into needles or fractures. The first line of color
encasement is usually the hardest becuase of the temperature
not being quite right. Usually, by the second line of color
encasement, te temperature is perfect and it won’t break
down as easily.
4.) The torch affects your work to a lesser
degree but is vital if you can afford it. Here is the Jay
Frodo dichro working torch rating list with four stars being
the best and one star being the worst.
5.) The temperature you place the color onto the
dichro while encasing should never be white hot when applying,
it should be red or orange hot. To test for the dichro “sweet
spot” on your torch, simply take a 5mm-6mm clear rod
and turn up!!! the oxygen on your torch. Now put the clear
rod in the flame ad go out about 5-10 inches from the tip
of the torch. The clear rod should heat up slowly to a red
or orange glow and be bendable or pliable but not runny. This
is the “sweet spot” for Dichroic Alchemy dichro
work.
6.) The angle of the flame while encasing the
metal side of dichroic glass is important in that you should
only use the 1/4 bottom part of the flame to heat the rod
of color being applied and use the 3/4 top part of the flame
should be above the rod heating where the dichro has already
been encased.
