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Rant: I still use a kitchen torch for glass fusing and it works great
I was fusing some small glass tiles for a mosaic last week and grabbed my kitchen creme brulee torch out of habit. My friend who runs a proper studio saw it and laughed, saying it would never get hot enough. But I've been using it for years on thin glass pieces with no cracks or issues. It heats the glass evenly for basic fusing projects. I think people overcomplicate tools for simple tasks. Has anyone else used unconventional gear for their work?
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johnkelly6mo ago
Actually melts the glass, not just heats it.
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sarah_torres206mo ago
That "no cracks or issues" claim is a stretch. A kitchen torch doesn't get hot enough for proper fusing, it just warms the surface. You're likely creating weak points and internal stress you can't even see. It might hold for a mosaic now, but it will fail over time or with temperature changes. Using the wrong tool isn't being clever, it's just risking your work and safety for no good reason.
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the_ray6mo ago
I once repaired a hairline crack in a glass vase using my soldering iron from the garage. Set it on low and moved it slowly along the seam with some clear adhesive. The fix is still solid after three years. For small jobs, sometimes you just need heat and patience, not expensive equipment.
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victor6515mo ago
You're right about the heat, @johnkelly, but a low-temp soldering iron with glue can work for tiny cracks.
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