After mulling this idea over in my head for years, I finally decided to dust off the cobwebs and bring it into the light of day as it were.

My vision is to eventually use recycled glass, but my past attempt to melt a wine bottle in my furnace designed for aluminum proved I do not yet possess the proper tools to work with glass. And I ruined an perfectly good ceramic crucible in the process. So until I can get a proper glass-working kiln and other appropriate tools, I chose to rough up my prototype with Lucite.

I ordered a few thin 1/4in Lucite rods from ebay, and started experimenting this evening. First I used a propane torch to heat a used razor.

The heated blade made quick work of it, and I reduced a clean 12in long rod into four 3in bite-sized pieces.

Next I used the torch on a mismatched spoon (hope the wife wont miss it), then pressed one of the rods into the bowl to try and shape the mushroom head of my design.

According to my good friend and all around Mr. Knowit all, Google, Lucite's melting temp is 320°F (160°C). My challenge is it boils at 392°F (200°C). Guess what happened when I hit the spoon with the torch to an unknown temp then pressed the Lucite into it. Yup, melted ... and instantly went to boil mode.

Messy, but not a complete disaster. I was able to achieve a somewhat mushroom-like shape.

Now, lets talk a wee bit about requiring a well ventilated space.

When working with Lucite I think you actually need a hurricane fan. Like the ones from Movie sets. Even from outside with no discernible breeze, the smell somehow wafted into the house anyway and it took an hour to clear it out.

But it worked and in the end I had my first test piece.

Using a screwdriver, I made a hole in a sheet of cardboard, inserted the modified Lucite and held it over a light fixture.

It appears to have worked as expected.

Now I just need to find a better way to shape the my design. Especially when I up-size it to thicker stock.

The kitchen oven comes to mind, but so does an upset wife.

Must maintain domestic tranquility!

Maybe I'll find a used toaster oven at a garage sale or something, then dedicate it to the workshop.