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Converting netted glass float balls into hanging lamps |
1961surf
Grand Member (3 years) 
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1895
From: Newport Beach, Ca .
|  Posted: 2009-06-10 7:53 pm Permalink
I am trying to convert reproduction float balls into lamps and need some info
to convert these.I need to know how to cut the holes in the glass without breaking
them.Also looking for the right spray to fog the inside of the glass after glass
holes are cut.Any info I would be most appreciative.
[ Edited by: Bora Boris - Adjusted Title. - 2011-03-05 14:42 ]
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1961surf
Grand Member (3 years)
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1895
From: Newport Beach, Ca .
| Posted: 2009-06-11 09:03 am Permalink
I guess no one wants to share their secrets.You can PM if you wish.
Trad'r Bill or Polynesiac I know you guys make these float ball lamps.
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mudbone
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 12, 2008
Posts: 141
From: michigan
| Posted: 2009-06-11 09:16 am Permalink
Did you try Search for glass floats.I think this has been discussed before.
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Tipsy McStagger
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 21, 2004
Posts: 3388
From: HELL
| Posted: 2009-06-11 09:41 am Permalink
sounds like an awful lot of trouble to acheive the same result by just buying the globes with the holes already in them....you can also buy the caps that cover the hole and hold the socket and globe in place.....they suspend from the cord but once you put the netting over it you can suspend it with that and let the cord be free....
as for where to buy them....that's the secret part. i'll leave that up to you but they are out there..i have seen them.
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Hakalugi
Site Administrator
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 2804
From: Redondo Beach, CA
| Posted: 2009-06-11 09:55 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2009-06-11 09:03, 1961surf wrote:
I guess no one wants to share their secrets.You can PM if you wish.
Trad'r Bill or Polynesiac I know you guys make these float ball lamps.
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As already mentioned, use the search function. There are tips on drilling the holes and frosting the interior, etc.
Go ahead, try it:
http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/search.php
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1961surf
Grand Member (3 years)
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1895
From: Newport Beach, Ca .
| Posted: 2009-06-11 10:10 am Permalink
Thanks guys , I did do a search prior and did not find .
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Hakalugi
Site Administrator
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 2804
From: Redondo Beach, CA
| Posted: 2009-06-11 10:23 am Permalink
Maybe you didn't try "glass" "floats" as search terms?
http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/search.php?term=glass+floats&submit=Search&srch=both&frm=all&usr=&srt=newest
There are no "secrets". It's all here.
Once you start reading and following the leads you get such info as:
"There is this gel you can get from "Micheals" called Glass Etch Bath."
"I drilled a hole (with a diamond head dremel bit"
"Go to a stained glass store and get a diamond bit there. You will want to use water on the bit when cutting the hole. Go slow when attempting. The knot on the glass would be the hardest place to cut through. The stress on a glass ball is everywhere."
"...local glass blowing shop. They sandblasted the outside giving it a wonderful glow when lit. If you have a local shop they might do it for you at a reasonable price. I paid nothing extra to have mine done."
There's more, much more.
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1961surf
Grand Member (3 years)
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1895
From: Newport Beach, Ca .
| Posted: 2009-06-11 11:55 am Permalink
Thanks Lugi -I was using the wrong search words in the beginning .
I have been reading alot of the comments and info from way back, and I am
definitely taking on a task here for sure.I contacted a long time friend of
mine from high school that runs a glass specialty company that is going
to drill out the holes for me today .I appreciate the time people have taken
in the both past and present posts that address this projects.Now I know why
polynesiac charges what he charges for his lamps.If anyone needs the large 12"
reproduction float balls I can get as many as they need in about seven colors
direct from the importer locally in OC. I will do a follow post up with my progress .
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tikiskip
Grand Member (6 years) 
Joined: Nov 26, 2005
Posts: 2085 | Posted: 2009-06-12 4:05 pm Permalink
Hey Surf,
Can you PM me a price of one of those globes shipped to Ohio?
If I can get one from you I will put a hole in it.
At least I will try. I may need two of them.
And I will show you all how I did it right here on TC.
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1961surf
Grand Member (3 years)
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1895
From: Newport Beach, Ca .
| Posted: 2009-08-20 10:37 pm Permalink
Ok Folks I am back with my progress on converting the glass float balls.
First of all after a half dozen different glass shops and several broken
balls later -no pun intended .I found a local glass place to cut the
2 1/2 " holes for me.The only downside is they are charging me way too
much money, so I have got to come up with plan B.Moving right along I
wanted to use all UL wiring as well as a porcelain socket so it would not
get dry and brittle and crack down the road from the heat,sun,salt air,
elements etc.
I live by the ocean so I wanted the electrical part of the lamp to
be able to with stand the elements outside.I utilized a local lighting
place that I have used in the past to create the first kinda prototype
if you will.We extended the socket with a brass lamp part that helps
bring the bulb down to the center of the glass sphere , thus creating
even over all light thru out the glass ball .The top cover cap has two
clips that spring out after cap is installed, keeping the cap snug
against the top inside glass ceiling .
I went two steps further and got shrink plastic wrap that you heat and
forms tightly over spring clips so they wont chip or crack glass when
you change or replace light bulb.To diffuse the light so you don't see
the light bulb , I found a glass frost in a spray can by Rustoleum at
Home Depot .You have to make sure the inside glass is clean with no
residue or powder from the drilling of the glass with water.
I sprayed one good solid coat on the inside of glass and then let it dry
for an hour, then came back and sprayed a second coat evenly thru out.
I will come back and post better pics, I did not take the time yet to
crop and size these pics.I wanted to get an idea of what it looks like.
BTW Tikiship I have not for got about you, still planning on sending you
a couple of floats.
More pics to follow
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Trad'r Bill
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 14, 2008
Posts: 450
From: Hercules, CA
| Posted: 2009-08-20 11:01 pm Permalink
Well done '61surf! I like the neato clasps you used to hold the fixture in place. The inside frosting technique looks good too... once you figure out how to easily cut a hole in the glass without breaking, let me know 
Trad'r Bill
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Kon-Hemsby
Grand Member (8 years) 
Joined: Sep 17, 2003
Posts: 1225
From: Andover, England
| Posted: 2009-08-22 12:46 am Permalink
Buy a Dremel and grind a hole. Easier than cutting and if you keep it wet, no breakages. At least that's my experience.
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Polynesiac
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 29, 2004
Posts: 2023
From: San Pedro, CA
| Posted: 2009-08-22 6:34 pm Permalink
The spray will not survive the elements that you want your globe to be in. It will come off.
The only way to keep your globe frosted outside in the elements is either to use acid, or to sand blast it. Or (much easier option) go to OCEANIC ARTS and buy one of theirs. Their globes are now sandblasted on the inside.
Listen to KH. He knows what he's talking about.
_________________
Polynesiac - putting the "F" back in "ART"
[ This Message was edited by: Polynesiac 2009-08-22 18:37 ]
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1961surf
Grand Member (3 years)
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1895
From: Newport Beach, Ca .
| Posted: 2009-08-22 9:09 pm Permalink
Thanks Jim and KH any info is VERY appreciated .
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KeithH
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Feb 15, 2009
Posts: 103
From: Portland, OR
| Posted: 2009-08-23 01:19 am Permalink
I may just have to try the dremel trick.
I was out and about and stopped by the local Craft Warehouse in Gresham - Halloween is coming soon and I need to start planning the latest addition to my home haunt. I rounded a corner and saw several bins full of various sized floats. The biggest ones were about 12" in diameter and they had smaller sizes as well. The best part is that they were all on sale. I grabbed a couple of the larger ones @ $19.99 each - and some of the smaller ones too. The only problem is they only had dark and light blue available.
It looks like Craft Warehouse is only up here in the NW though.
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