Posted 11 years ago
dlfd911
(134 items)
What to do with so much broken glass? When a dear friend had a disaster involving some of his most prized glass, I couldn't see just throwing it out with the trash, so I asked him to hang on to it, and I would try to find a use for it. I had a rather inexpensive Mission-style end table that needed a new top, so I framed it in with some pieces of red oak. Then I sat down for about 2 weeks with a large bin filled with the glass shards, separated by color or decor. I cemented them down to the table top with tile cement. Then I applied grout to bring the spaces between the pieces up flush. I then poured about 1/4 inch of a plastic-like liquid that I found at the home store. It comes in half-gallon jugs, which I mixed well in equal parts, then poured over the mosaic until it was flush with the top edge of the frame. The directions suggest using a propane torch, held well away from the surface, to draw any air bubbles to the surface where they quickly burst and disappear. I had to do this at regular intervals for almost 30 minutes, at which time the liquid began to harden. Then I covered it with a large piece of cardboard to keep dust and pet hair off. Then next day it was completely hardened and looked and felt like glass to the touch. It looks very nice with our glass collection, including the Flamarion lamp that is presently on the table. You can easily identify the various decors of glass in the mosaic. I particularly love the different colors of Loetz papillon throughout. I don't recommend destroying your glass to make a table top, but when life hands you lemons...well, you know the rest.
If you want to make a top that isn't permanent, take a piece of plywood that is the same size as a table you already have, then make the frame hang down about 1/4", so the whole thing will sit tightly on top of the existing table. It won't slide around this way, and you can always remove it if you want to undo it. I would put a piece of felt or something under it so it won't scratch the existing table top, and use plywood that is thick enough so it won't warp or bend. Something around 5/8" should work.
very nice!
Turning a disaster into a thing of beauty, Great job and fantastic idea.
Outstanding!!
Love it!! Can you come round and make me one? Too far!? Never mind!
Great work!
I will remember that day as though it were my own disaster Al. At least in this way it will live on.
And for those who do not know the story, it had nothing to do with the quality of Alfredo's shelves or brackets. The apartment on the other side of the wall decided to jackhammer some tile off their wall, and the vibrations walked all the glass right off the edges of the shelves onto the floor.
It's called Envirotex Lite, and I recommend it. I tried one other type that gave off an odor that was like fiberglass resin and had to be mixed and cured outdoors. The Envirotex has little to no odor at all. It does heat up as the chemical reaction takes place (as does any epoxy, the faster-setting, the more heat it creates), so don't apply it any thicker than 3/8 inch at the most, and follow the directions to the letter. It says to mix it on one large container, then pour it into a second container and mix well again. This keeps small amounts that get missed in the bottom corners of the bucket from creating sticky areas on the surface that won't set up completely. I bought my Envirotex Lite at Menards home store. I think it was about $59 for enough to make a gallon, which was the amount it took for my table. If you need to make a thicker coating, do it in two pours, allowing each to cure fully before scuffing it with fine sandpaper and wiping with alcohol or acetone, then pouring the next. Do a Google search for Envirotex Lite and you can find it online.
I just got the willies !!! That is a true nightmare...but the table is gorgeous !!
It is a lovely tribute to the fabulous pieces that were lost. What a lovely idea to treasure them as you have. With such beautiful glass how could your project be anything but spectacular. Thank you for sharing. I must also thank you for sharing your information about the product and the instruction.
very nice!