Merkel Engraving

[erik winkler]

As for Merkel, about classes she said the following:

"Sorry, we do not give classes. Yes, Kamenicky Senov school seems to completely shut down.
There is the Bildwerk in Frauenau, Germany, they give summer classes, perhaps on cutting this year…"
Robert

Robert,
The Kamenicky school is not closed. Miss Merkel misinformed you.
In the end of this januari they (and one day later we) will hear from the Czech authorities what will happen.
As for the Bildwerk in Frauenau, I researched allmost all the glass schools in the world by now.
And here in the Netherlands I heared the "tip" Frauenau a few times also.
If you check their website, do a google search on the web and do a follow up of their OLD graduated students (who now claim to be glass artists) as I did you know that the brilliant cutting is not their 'thing' .
But you absolutely can not compare the quality and knowledge of that school with the Czech school!
I would not go for it.
If you are interested in going for that quality of education, I would suggest the Pilchuck Glass School in the usa.

Merkel is one of the two best machines for cutting small pieces of glass: flatglass 50x50cm (aprox 20x20 inch) or vases, glasses and soforth.
If you want to go bigger than that you will apparently not succeed with this gem of a machine.


Erik

[Roderick Treece]

Robert,
Have you check these two places. They both sell the equiptment.

http://www.hisglassworks.com/cart/cart. ... tail&p=153
http://www.hisglassworks.com/cart/cart. ... _list&c=65
http://www.denverglass.com/eg-1.html
http://www.denverglass.com/sag.html

I have been to the Marina Grande glass school in Portugal but haven't been able to find any info about that yet.

Roderick

[erik winkler]

Roderick,

Hisglasworks sells the same machines, but is an extra merchant in the line.
Robert is now directly at the source.
The Merkel machine is of better quality than the Denver machine.
The Denver machine is not that acuratly balanced as the the Merkel machine.
Therefore the wheel vibrates and you can not have that risk when you are cutting.

[Roderick Treece]

Thanks Robert,
Thanks for the heads up on the Denver lathe. Do you have a site to look at the Engraving lathe KMK ?

The lathe that is on Riches site is no longer manufactured. I just checked on it.

I'd say go for the Riser Lathe. Heck it's only $8 575.00 !!!

[Roderick Treece]

I am a bit curiuos here.

"Enough disgruntled folks against the Denver lathe to stay away."

and
The Merkel machine is of better quality than the Denver machine.
The Denver machine is not that acuratly balanced as the the Merkel machine.
Therefore the wheel vibrates and you can not have that risk when you are cutting.

How is it you guy's know this info

Who are the Disgruntled folks ?

Eric,
How do you know one machine is better than another? Have you tried both or know someone that has.

One advantage to having Hisglassworks sell the equipment is being able to go there and try it out.

[erik winkler]

Roderick,

You are absolutely right here and I bet you are not the only one who is thinking this.
Who is this Erik thinks he is to say all this.
Well for the last year I am researching all my spare time in these machines.
I have asked a lot of people who work with these machines, who makes these machines and who sell these machines.
If you take every comment with a grain of salt you can get somewhere, but still as with the simple tools like the scalloping tool, you can only give your reall founded opinion when you used them all for a long period of time.
These conclusions are mine and therefore not binding.
I would only suggest these things for myself and since I want to share my aquired information with you guys I post it.

The Denver machine is supposed to be a great machine, but your friends on the other forum discussed about the bearingspace problems a lot and came to the conclusion that they should have invested that extra money in one of the two German brands (Spatzier and Merkel).
My Czech friends even said they make the same kind of machines over there and which are even 1000 dollars cheaper.
Then I have an adres in Austria who sells all the 100 year old machine ever used in the greater Austrian region completely revised and working perfectly for 100 years more.

I know I never worked with them, that is why I still did not buy one.
My personal strategy is to wait untill I have my crashcourse done in the Czech republic and worked with them myself, so I know what will be important for me.

[Stuart Norton]

Hi Erik, and Robert.
I know Erik wants to do flat glass cutting, Robert what type of cutting do you want to try?

Right the cutting lathes you have been looking at are made for table ware glass or small panels.
Think about it a large panel will catch the tops of the bearings. Unless you just want to do putties and v cuts which the glass is held flat to the stone, but edge cuts require you to lean glass to the sides to cut.

Do you realise that the whole world has been built on 30 degree angle point. All my stones are mounted on 1" dia studding with a 30 ' angle on each end in to hard wood bearing. One stone, wood and felt to its own shaft. Once trued remain trued until they need dressing. My one congestion to modern design is to have motor with variable drive. That helps with size of pulleys’ I have small size on motor and shaft now.
My small stones 6” have a max manufactures speed of 1250 rpm, the large have a speed limit of 380 rpm. The stones have to run with a surface speed 10 meters per seconds.
See my web site as to the design of wood frame. My motor is now mounted in the frame below; with tension adaption, gravity works with a little help by way of a clamp.
Stew

[Stuart Norton]

Hi Robert
We do not offer instruction. Dave was my one congestion but hope to get more back from him than I give. He is a good bloke to have on your side. We have a good two way process going.
As regards a wood frame in my set up wood is good in damping vibrations in the frame. All joints are dry and through bolted carriage bolts with studding to clamp and spring. So it finds its own levels and sits square to floor. Have Used metal frame at the places I have worked at, but it is the kiss principle. Compacted set ups, bearings are trouble pumice powder loves to wear them out, water does not help. It is best to have one grinding wheel to one shaft. You true up once and it stays true.
I would also like to have a go at copper wheel engraving. Have looked at the small portable Merkel, a few years ago it was allot cheaper then. When I get some spare cash I might invest. I keep a watch out for lathes on the auction sites.
There is also a glass engraving on lathes course run in London but only good for people living in London, 10 week course on Mondays.
Stew

[erik winkler]

Robert,

As you may be misinformed in my recolection only Stuart, Dave and Pat do cut glass.
I for instance am a whannabe.