DIY Network

Freeform Furniture: Applying Glass Tiles From "Freeform Furniture" episode DFFF-103

In this second segment host Amy Devers dresses up the plywood cylinders with weather resistant iridescent glass tiles.

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Host Amy Devers applies glass tiles to prefabricated plywood cylinders.

Materials:

Prefabricated plywood cylinders
1" x 1" glass tiles
Plywood
Solid surface material
Prefabricated furniture feet
Combination square
Pencil
Screws
Wood glue
Clamps
Glue
Small drill bit
Safety glasses
Thin-set white mortar
Trowel
Wooden board
Spray bottle
Bucket
Dollop
Tape measure
Double stick carpet tape
Dust mask or respirator
Chamfer bit
Sanding block
320-grit sandpaper
T-Nuts
Polyurethane construction adhesive
Caulking gun
Framing square
Bright white sanded grout
Hard rubber grout float
Big sponge
Water
Cloth
Dental tools
Grout sealer

Tools:

Jigsaw
Table saw
Drill
Band saw
Router
Rubber mallet
Circle cutting router jig
Flush cutting bit
Drill press
Hammer
Forstner bit

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Applying Glass Tiles

Note: The mosaic 1" x 1" tiles used are held together by a sheet of contact paper. The tiles themselves are made by taking molten glass and pouring it into molds and then firing them in a kiln. Host Devers used a translucent glass tile and a white thin-set mortar because white will reflect the most light and give the tile the brightest color. You need to avoid using epoxy or mastic because they have a tendency to yellow over time and that will affect the color of your tile.

1. Prepare the mortar by mixing one cup of the liquid with two cups of the mortar. Mix it with a cordless drill and mixing paddle for five minutes.

2. Let it rest for ten minutes and mix again until the mortar is the consistency of toothpaste (figure A).

3. Using a putty knife, slap the mortar onto the cylinder .

4. Use the trowel to apply pressure so the mortar adheres firmly (figure B).

5. To prevent any ridges from showing through the transparent tile, smooth out the peaks (figure C).

6. The next step is to set the tile in the mortar. With the paper side facing out, apply even pressure on the tile into the mortar bed.

7. When you put on the second sheet, make sure to leave 1/8" of space between the sheets to match the rest of the grout line (figure D). Repeat this process one sheet at a time until the entire area has been covered.

8. To ensure full tile adhesion, place a "beater block" against the paperbacked surface so it spans several tiles. Give it a couple of taps with the mallet (figure E). Repeat this process over the entire cylinder making sure to span the beating board over the seams between sheets to keep them flush with one another.

9. Remove the paper backing. Fill your spray bottle with warm (but not hot) water and spray. The warm water is going to dissolve the adhesive in the paper backing and once it is saturated, wait for approximately five minutes and then peel the paper off.

10. To remove the backing, pull the paper downward from the top corner of the tile sheet at an angle (figure F). If the paper doesn't come loose from the tile, wet it and wait two minutes and it should come off with no problem. Because you remove the paper while the mortar is still somewhat wet, you can readjust the tiles if you need to.

11. Before you can fill the joints with grout, you need to let this set up for 72 hours.

Note: Glass tiles require a longer curing time because they are not as porous as ceramic.

RESOURCES :

Delta Woodworking Power Tools
Website: www.deltawoodworking.com

Festool
Website: www.festoolusa.com

Gladiator Garageworks by Whirlpool
Website: www.gladiatorgw.com

Stanley Tools Product Group
Website: www.stanleytools.com

Lie-Nielsen Toolworks, Inc.
Website: www.lie-nielsen.com

WMH Tool Group
Website: www.wmhtoolgroup.com

Power Tools (Porter Cable)
Porter Cable Power Tools
Website: www.portercable.com

Hand Tools
Garrett Wade Co., Inc.
Website: www.garrettwade.com

The Peck Tool Company
Website: www.pecktool.com

Biesemeyer
Website: www.biesemeyer.com

Saw Blades
Forrest Manufacturing Company
Website: www.vacupress.com

Jogensen Adjustable Clamp Company
Website: www.adjustableclamp.com

Adhesives, Abrasives and Safety Equipment
The 3M Company
Website: www.3m.com

Klein Tools
Website: www.kleintools.com

Ulmia GmbH
Website: www.ulmia.de

Glass Tiles
Website: www.crossvilleinc.com

Solid Surface Materials
Pinnacle Distribution Concepts
Website: www.pdc4surfaces.com

Woodcraft
Website: www.woodcraft.com