Hot combing is one of the few techniques in warm glass (kiln fusing) that is similar to hot glass (furnace blowing). It's quite an exciting way to manipulate glass but you need to have the right equipment, clothing and courage to take it on.
Strips of glass are arranged vertically and dammed with ceramic fibre. Tight lines and limited colour palettes work best to get the patterns and 'look'. The glass is heated to about 900 degrees Centigrade at which point it has the consistency of toffee. The kiln has to be turned off to eliminate the possibility of electrocution! Metal combing rods are used to pull through and push apart the glass strips. You have to be quick because as the glass cools it stiffens. After the first combing the kiln goes back on to 900 degrees and then the kiln off and combing process can be repeated. Once the pattern is as you want it then the kiln is taken back up to 900 and held until the glass surface is flat. Then flash cool to 590 and start the annealing process - 6 hours at least and then turn the kiln off and leave to reach room temperature.
You really do need welder's smock, gloves and helmet/glasses and make sure not to wear artificial or synthetic fibres. It's hot and not for the faint hearted!! It's worth the abandonment of OH&S rules though to get the finished product which can be used as a centrepiece in other pieces.
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