questions for the more experienced

[thebeaner]

Aloha,

I have a couple of questions for the more seasoned stained glass artists out there.

#1 I have made two mosaic tables with flatted bottomed marbles on all around the edges. Withing a year the marbles started coming off, grout and all.
Does anyone have any ideas on that?

#2 I am getting ready to make my first front door. I only know how to do copper foil stained glass. I have been told that it is absolutley possible.
Has anyone had any experience with this?
Any tips?

[Vic Rothman]

#2 I am getting ready to make my first front door. I only know how to do copper foil stained glass. I have been told that it is absolutley possible.

true

[mmezalick]

As for the first question, it sounds that you did not prep the area well enough.
Water may have gotten under the grout or the surface (what did you use as the surface to put the glass on?) may have twisted.
Rounded edges are not the best griping items to use.
There are stronger products for this type of work and having the grout come over the edge of the marble helps keep it secure.
Michael

[mouchette]

With your question #1 the problem was probably either the surface preparation or the adhesive or both. What material is the base of the table made out of? What did you adhere the nuggets with?

I'm a little unclear with question #2.  You can build front door windows out of foil in some circumstances but keep in mind that foil is NOT weather proof unless it's triple glazed.  If the door gets direct rain, foil is a bad choice. 

In fact your local building codes may require that it be triple glazed depending on what city you are in.  Might want to check.

[thebeaner]

Thank you for your responses.

Both tables were made of wood. I used regular glue ASSUMING the grout would hold it in place. I am wondering if I should have not only used a stronger glue but also to used the grinder on the bottoms of the marbles so they were "rougher". I was just surprised to see the grout come off so easily not just the marbles.

[mmezalick]

Was the wood just a piece of wood or plywood?
Exterior plywood or cement board works the best.
Grout is not what should be used to set the glass or any tile for the matter.
I would suggest using Thin Set as the first layer, setting the glass into that and finishing it off with grout.
That may be your problem.
Michael

[mouchette]

Wood is actually the most problematic surface to adhere glass or tile (directly) to.  Heat and cold makes the wood shrink-grow and warp.  Plain ol' cement will simply separate from the wood eventually.  The edge tiles will be particularly prone to just popping off. 

[ Repeating what Michael said^ ] There's a  few different ways to seal and prep a piece of wood, but personally- I just adhere (and nail) a layer Wonderboard- a tile backing product you can buy a Home Depot- on top and sides and use that as the base for the glass or tile.  You'll need to take steps to seal the underside of the tables as well to prevent warping when there's wood in the mix. 

Grout is not an adhesive.  Thinset is standard for setting tile and glass.  Mixing it with Acrylic ad-mix makes it stronger.  (Use the ad-mix instead of water).  Sometimes with the outside edge tiles I'll use something a bit stickier like Mastic which seems to stick better to vertical surfaces.    Make sure to seal the grout with grout sealer when you're done.