Butterfly in a Shattered Glass Bulb
Introduction: Butterfly in a Shattered Glass Bulb
Hello Instructable team and my dear viewers...today I'm going to showcase my recent project... which I was making for this glass contest.. but unfortunately, this didn't get well...Sometimes everything doesn't go as we plan... I first thought to not share this project ..as my glass got shattered at the very last step and...but I am sharing to let you guys know some tips and ideas about this project...
I planned to make this project to be simpler but very attractive looking..For that purpose, I made my own crystal set from scratch...and Used an old light bulb ... everything was going perfect but the glass shattered as last and my total hard work gone waste...
So without wasting any more time lets get started...
Step 1: Things We Need for This Project
The things we need for this project are
* An old filament light bulb(Try not to break it at last)
* Resin(Epoxy resin or Polyurethane resin )
* Templates ( Links are provided below)
* Rotary Tool
* Tungsten carbide burrs
* Glass paint
* safety equipment
* Sandpaper (80, 100, 220, 300, 400 grit)
* Craft clay (Mouldit)
* Acrylic Colours
* Thin plastic sheet
Link to the template - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MGLxDyyDn80i54hTeyRfB3nvmNB7RLSw?usp=sharing
Step 2: Start From a Bulb
Take an old filament bulb... I took a 60-watt bulb as its a good size for these projects...
then carefully start removing the end black glass by striking it with a screwdriver or other metal object...while doing this you firstly should ensure your safety and all precautions as glass is a very dangerous item to work with...
Now holding the bulb in one hand and striking its black glass part with a metal object.. you will be able to remove as much material as possible at the first attempt... then carefully remove all the remaining black glass or seal with a small metal screwdriver and a nose plier...
After the black glass is removed this is time for removing the inner filaments and other glass parts ...for this work you have to carefully pry off the inner glass tube with a small screwdriver and break the glass seal... you can also use a rotary tool with a tungsten burr with lots of patients...
As now the bulb seal is broken, clear the inside and dispose of the glass pieces with propper precautions.... 31
and wash the bulb inside and outside thoroughly...
Step 3: Make Resin Castings
After the bulb is washed and drying, its a good time to mix some epoxy resin or polyurethane resin (by weight of volume...as instructed)..
I mixed resin with a 2:1 ratio as my resin needed... I first mixed the resin in a small disposable plastic cup and then transfer some resin in smaller cups... But you may make a big layer of resin if you have a big cup or a flat bowl...
Now while mixing the resin you may get many bubbles... to remove them the best option is a vacuum chamber but as most of us don't have that, I have another idea for that... most of our resins are reactive with heat ..so placing the mixed but liquid resin (with the cup) in a bowl full of hot water will help to reduce the bubbles as they will float on the top surface and then can be easily popped with a small blowtorch or a heat gun...
After the resin is ready for curing, let it cure as much time it needs...
Step 4: Make the Crystals
After the resin hardens, its time to make our crystals... You can skip this step by simply ordering some crystals online but I decided to make my own crystals...Now to start off you have to cut the resin slab into small pieces of the crystal size...
Now take a rotary tool with an 80 grit sandpaper disk attached on a spindle and start making the crystals... the crystals are organic items so we don't have to think or get worried about the shape of the crystals we are making... Just keep a trace of the shape...
Start by grinding off the sides and progress with the whole body... use necessary reference photos from the internet if needed...
I'm giving some example images above...
Step 5: Cast the Base
Now, this is the time to case the crystal base for the bulb...Arrange the pre-made crystals in a circular pattern so that it can fit around the bulb...
I took a pre-casted resin block and placed the crystals on that as shown in the pictures and fixed them with hot glue ... this will hold the pieces for some time until the new resin layer is drying... 407