michaelmastro

Rich - What is your email address?

I have been known to TRY an "fix" marbles before.

Details... well, usually I have one steadfast rule.

You give me the marble then I try to repair it and if it works, I give it back. Usually in 9 out of 10 cases, the repair goes well but there is always that chance that in spite of my care, the glass does what IT wants to do!!! The person I deal with MUST realize that - there are NO guarantees with glass.

Price - I have no set standard - I have traded marbles for repairs, been given money for the repairs and that averages between $10 to $20 and totally depends on the amount of gasses, time behind the torch and time it takes to get the scars, dents, chips and cracks to "heal." It took about 45 minutes to repair the sulfide I posted for you guys and about 1 hour 45 minutes to repair the swirl marble. So I feel my prices are fair. I must mention the 1 of the 10 marbles that gets away - there might be a sudden POP in my kiln as the old glass slowly warms up (about an hour or more) and that glass can't take the heat even before the repair. Then it might go "wonky" and not stay round because the glass has cooling issues. It might thermal shock in the cooling process - one never knows because I am not the original maker and I don't know the COE of the old glass.

Taking all this into account, it's a personal choice the owner of the marble makes if he/she wants to make a try at fixing it. If the person has ANY emotional value to the marble, I discourage them from "fixing" it since I'd rather them buy a stand and put grandpa's best marble on display as it is. But if it doesn't carry emotions, then why not go for it?

I also round the marble out as completely round as the glass will allow - of course I could put punty marks on it but I won't so as to protect a future buyer from being deceived. I am into restoring the marble back to it's best look as I can because I love working in the flame with the glass. I am not trying to make it my business! I worked as a physical science and math teacher for 37 years - my time of working is over! It's my time to play now.

Ok, I have rambled enough...lol. If anyone wants more information, pictures of my repairs, just email me - thanks.

In that case - do you provide this service? What are the details?

Thank you.

ok - here goes.....

You need to have a kiln, digital controller is best = $600

You need a torch, Minor is best = $250

You need special glasses = $200

You need glass mandrels, tweezers = $20

You need approximately a year of experience with torching before you can safely TRY to repair any marble.

I don't want to throw a blanket on anyone's vigor, but this is fact - ask me, I am a marble repair person...lol

Hi glangley

I was hoping that someone might know how to do it, and provide the service. I am not a glass worker. Do you know of anyone?

Thanks for the reply.

Michael

I have a stunning Akro cork - transparent cobalt blue base, with a white, and an oxblood cork laying on the surface, and it's exactly 1". My wife bought it from Bill Foppiano about 5 years ago. Unfortunately I let me son's girlfriend photograph it and she dropped it. It now has a moon that is right on one end of the cork. Can this be reannealed?

Thank you.

Michael

the new old guy