Thank you all for your input on buying a kiln. Now one more question before I take the plunge. Can I slump more than one mold in a Skutt Clamshell (20" shelf) or Skutt 1014 (22" shelf)? Will have side elements blocked from one mold cause a significant problem? Will location in a element top only kiln also cause a problem for multiple molds? Should just get a bigger kiln?
Thank you.
Slumping- number of molds at once?
Moderators: Brad Walker, Tony Smith
Re: Slumping- number of molds at once?
the # of molds you can slump in one load depends upon the size of the molds (floor space) and heat schedules each mold needs. some molds need very little and some need a lot of heatwork. if you use both in the same load, will one be overfired and the other underfired?
Re: Slumping- number of molds at once?
I have always places as many molds in my kiln as possible. As long as you are an inch or so away from the walls/elements, you should be fine. If your molds are unusually thick or heavy, I would fire up slowly, like 150 degrees per hour.
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Re: Slumping- number of molds at once?
I saw this photo the other day and made a note of it to remind me that I could slump student work this way. I believe this was taken from a Patty Gray class.
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Re: Slumping- number of molds at once?
Yep, that's a Patty Gray classValerie Adams wrote:I saw this photo the other day and made a note of it to remind me that I could slump student work this way. I believe this was taken from a Patty Gray class.
Dana W.
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Re: Slumping- number of molds at once?
The reason this works is that the molds are very gentle, with only a short drop. They're also molds that can stand being overfired or held at a long time at slumping temperature. And they're all the same mold.Valerie Adams wrote:I saw this photo the other day and made a note of it to remind me that I could slump student work this way.
If your molds are deeper or steeper, this kind of kiln loading will probably be problematical.
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Re: Slumping- number of molds at once?
In my experience low temperature slumps (~605º C) are problematic when 'shading' lower pieces from the top elements (when only top elements are on). Same goes for placing slumping molds on stacks of shelves.