16
votes
What can I do to smooth and polish hand cut glass edges?
I think I can help you. To make a living, I carve glass. Tabletops, door fronts, serving platters, and almost anything else made of glass has seen my efforts.
By far the best tool to use would be ...
- 161
13
votes
How can I safely sharpen a small craft knife?
If the knife is really that blunt, I recommend taking it to be professionally sharpened. Many craft stores offer this service either as part of their regular services or on a part-time basis (once or ...
- 3,496
11
votes
I have a model with a latex allergy: what are my other options?
If your models cannot be in contact with latex you can use alternatives. Since Latex comes in many forms it's not entirely clear which form you're using but I assume you're mainly referring to latex ...
- 1,082
10
votes
Can I use an airbrush inside?
As said by Tom, you should use a mask to spray indoor. It is quite convenient when you are alone but that does not protect your environment. Also don't forget that if you should be wearing a mask in a ...
- 1,333
10
votes
Accepted
Can I use an airbrush inside?
If you would rather use it indoors, that's fine as long as you wear a mask. If you're doing a lot, consider one of the heavy-duty ones:
You can generally buy these anywhere you can buy spray paint or ...
- 1,788
10
votes
Low cost alternatives to resin for creating the illusion of there being an opaque fluid in a bottle or jar
You can make a firm gel using agar mixed with hot water. It's clear, colorless, nontoxic and is actually edible. It looks like Jello after it sets, but it doesn't melt at warm room temperatures. You ...
- 326
10
votes
Low cost alternatives to resin for creating the illusion of there being an opaque fluid in a bottle or jar
A fairly easy solution would be to use candle wax. This can be melted and coloured then you can either fully fill the vessel or apply as a thinnish layer to the inside of the glass to create the look ...
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9
votes
What is a good technique for drilling holes in glass bottles?
This can be done, but the difference can have more to do with the type of glass than the method. From personal experience, tempered glass is inherently stressed and is almost impossible to work with. ...
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9
votes
How can I secure stiff fabric to wood without risking ripping and without adhesives?
Instead of securing the fabric with the scews, I'd let the fabric secure itself on the outer edge of the wood. The less holes you poke into a fabric, the stronger it is to withstand tearing or wearing ...
Elmy♦
- 12.6k
8
votes
Accepted
What can I do to reduce pain while crocheting?
So I'm a big knitter and crocheter and a musician with tendinitis for the past 20 years. Aside from the standard advice (NSAIDs, massage, etc) there are a few things that you can do to mitigate the ...
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8
votes
What is a good technique for drilling holes in glass bottles?
Always wear safety glasses! (It's a good idea with any drilling, but especially when drilling through glass.)
There are specialty bits made for drilling through glass that can be found at most ...
- 273
8
votes
Accepted
Glue for sides of cross stitch work
You could try fray check. These glues tend to be thinner, which would give you a less noticeable and stiff edge. They are usually clear, but may yellow over time.
If that isn't strong enough, you ...
- 2,385
8
votes
Accepted
Why is wearing a mask recommended when carving antler?
I think @matt's response is exactly correct, but I wanted to add a bit more to it. There are two concerns about inhaling dust--the size of the dust particle and the chemical composition of the ...
- 1,576
8
votes
Low cost alternatives to resin for creating the illusion of there being an opaque fluid in a bottle or jar
Paint that's fairly compatible with the material of the bottle can be applied evenly by pouring it into the container, swirling round and tipping out. You may need to do this 2 or 3 times. This ...
- 6,594
8
votes
Low cost alternatives to resin for creating the illusion of there being an opaque fluid in a bottle or jar
Would it be possible to do this with sugar?
If you boil a heavy sugar syrup enough it will set hard and clear, almost like glass. I accidentally filled a bowl with brown "glass" and bits of ...
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7
votes
What can I do to smooth and polish hand cut glass edges?
A tile cutter with a diamond blade works to smooth the edges of glass. I bought one at a garage sale to cut slate tiles and found it also works to finish glass edges. Mine has a way to tilt the blade ...
- 71
7
votes
What can I do to smooth and polish hand cut glass edges?
By the sounds of your application, a table-top glass grinder is the right answer. I'm saying this from a couple assumptions:
It sounds like you're making many of these and just want a nice edge to ...
- 971
7
votes
How can I remove CA glues (e.g. Super Glue) from a material?
While superglue is strong enough to seal many things, it does have an enemy: acetone. Acetone is able to break down superglue bonds.
To get the superglue off of your shoe, try and use nail polish ...
- 777
7
votes
Accepted
Information regarding skin friendly wax candle additives
As far as I'm aware for BDSM purposes you want to get the melting point low enough to not burn the skin, but high enough for the recipient to have intense sensations.
Paraffin and soy wax are common ...
Elmy♦
- 12.6k
6
votes
Accepted
How can I remove CA glues (e.g. Super Glue) from a material?
Acetone is the well-rounded budget conscious option. Zizouz212's answer generally covers this. It is hardly the only option though. It largely depends on the material the glue is on well.
When it ...
- 11k
6
votes
What safety precautions should I observe while using a hot wire cutter?
The majority of the safety recommendations relate to the fact that this is a hot wire cutter.
Use caution near the wire. It is hot and can burn you. Keep fingers and hands out of the way. (I was once ...
- 4,356
6
votes
Why is wearing a mask recommended when carving antler?
I will make a comparison with wood. Ever have a splinter before? They can hurt and bleed and become infected in some cases. Now imagine small microns of bone dust in your lungs. They can cause minute ...
- 11k
6
votes
Accepted
I am looking to melt some leftover acrylic into a mould, at home. Are there fumes that I should be worried about?
There are lots of links that describe toxic fumes from burning or laser-cutting acrylic. Apparently, the risk also applies to the molten plastic, as you would encounter with 3D printing or molding. ...
- 11.5k
6
votes
Low cost alternatives to resin for creating the illusion of there being an opaque fluid in a bottle or jar
An alternative to the agar gel in MTA's answer is a gelatin and glycerin mix.
The basic recipe is food safe and often used to make molds for food items.
You can store it in a freezer for months (...
Elmy♦
- 12.6k
5
votes
I have a model with a latex allergy: what are my other options?
The "go-to" material for a lot of people is something that is inexpensive and easy to make using gelatin and glycerin (and sometimes additional ingredients). It can be used directly or ...
- 11.5k
5
votes
What can I do to reduce pain while crocheting?
As with any repetitive strain injury (RSI), rest, moist-heat-then-ice, massage, compression, NSAIDs and, of course, physical therapy can all help. For me, I've generally found that plenty of aerobic ...
- 2,615
5
votes
Accepted
Is there anything wrong with mixing incompatible paints?
So, from my experience...
Wrong? No. Basically, looking at the major art paint options I can't see any that, when combined, would result in a dangerous mix. Some, however, will mix a bit better ...
- 3,443
5
votes
Accepted
Are there toxic concerns with using a heatgun/torch on plastic/acrylic?
Yes, if you overheat it, most thermo-plastics will give off dangerous gases when heated above a certain temperature. For bending, you need somewhere between 100C - 170C (212°F - 338°F). Cast ...
- 1,334
5
votes
Accepted
What safety precautions should I take when working with 316L/A4 steel?
Main precaution ; Do not touch it while it is hot. No vapors will come off the steel . What does A4 mean ? Your heating would be about right for forging. But for bending , try room temperature. It ...
- 1,245
5
votes
Accepted
How to sand food safe glass by hand
You would use a hand held diamond file. They are sold specifically for the purpose you are describing (fixing chipped articles). There are a number of articles and videos online which detail the ...
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