Unanswered Questions
37 questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
8
votes
0answers
188 views
Plastics options for molding
I am creating a sword for cosplay, and I need the material used to be clear, rigid, and lightweight, and to cure properly in such a thin mould (and can be poured into the mould I have, as I'd prefer ...
7
votes
0answers
156 views
What is this style of picture frame called?
I have some convex glass silhouette paintings from the Benton Glass Company from the 30s or 40s. They came with metal frames, each bent from a single piece of metal with a hook on one end and a hole ...
6
votes
0answers
44 views
Binding a book against the grain
I have stack of nice paper, but it runs against the grain, when used for handbook binding. When binding, the paper grain needs to be parallel to the book binding edge. What happens if a book is bound ...
5
votes
0answers
27 views
What is this stitch option on my Euro Pro Deluxe Denim & Silk
Curious about this odd "offset" stitch on my sewing machine, does it have a name? When would it be used?
It's under the "stretch" heading, so I gather it would be used on stretchy ...
5
votes
0answers
80 views
What is it called when we view a person from the back?
There are several ways to indicate the angle at which a person is depicted in the visual arts: en profil/in profile, en trois quarts, frontal. While these all generally relate to portraits, I wonder ...
5
votes
1answer
75 views
Advice on using old plaster
The recommended shelf life for Plaster of Paris varies from 3 months to a year. I have some old stock that has been stored well-sealed, but contains a lot of clumps. The clumps can be easily crushed ...
5
votes
0answers
55 views
Detergent residue on the surface before painting - how bad is it?
Before painting a small item (think of a plastic model), I wash it in soapy water to remove oily fingerprints etc. Most commonly I use diluted dishwashing liquid. From experience, washing is important,...
5
votes
0answers
49 views
Gilding with other leaves but gold and silver using traditional water gilding
Is it possible to gild with imitation, or other but gold and silver, leaves using traditional water gilding? If not, how come?
Also, why is it not possible to burnish (using agate stone) when using ...
5
votes
0answers
106 views
What are these blue spots on a AISI 301 steel plate?
Below is a 150x microscope view of a 301 steel plate. It is covered by this type of small blue spots.
It appeared after the steel had been treated at 400°C. The subcontractor thinks that the steel was ...
4
votes
0answers
67 views
How should I maintain a carved wood panel
I bought this wood carving (see below) several years ago from a vintage/antique housewares and decor store. At least one of the cracks predates my purchase, but I don't think all of them do.
...
4
votes
1answer
243 views
Handmade ceramic plate cracking after putting hot food on it
I had made a set of plates (from slab) with the Plainsman’s coffee clay and glazed it with John Britts’ 3M4 glaze (dipped half in 3M4 base and other half 3M4 +2.5% rutile). I’ve been using them for ...
4
votes
0answers
75 views
Tempera Paints for Making Washes?
I do a lot of hobby crafting for tabletop gaming that involves painting miniatures and building scenery (think model railroad hobbyists). In this craft, there is a lot of need for washes of different ...
4
votes
0answers
91 views
Too much vinegar in clay - how to get back plasticity
I've added too much vinegar to my clay and made it too sticky. Is there any fast way to get back the plasticity other than just slowly drying and then adding water back in? Would an alkaline solution ...
3
votes
0answers
31 views
I just fired a mug (cone 5/6 B-Mix clay) in my kiln and there is a 2 inch crack along the bottom. Is there any way to save this by glazing it?
I just unloaded a bisque fire and noticed that a mug (made from B-Mix cone 5/6 Laguna clay) has a 2 inch crack on the bottom. Is there any way to fix the crack my using glaze?
3
votes
0answers
35 views
How does Flanders ground connect to cloth stitch?
I am currently in the process of learning the five-hole ground used in Flanders bobbin lace. However, I can only find information on the ground, not on how to transition from the ground to cloth ...