Casting window glass frit
Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 11:08 am
I have this friend with a problem...really I do have a friend.
He is a high school art teacher and is wanting to introduce his students to the world of fusing. Yah him! I have given him supplies on occasion and advice but now it's a bit out of my realm and I'm hoping someone on the bulletin board might be able to help.
They are using a ceramic kiln, skutt KM-1227 and casting snowflakes and made the ceramic molds themselves, about 3" wide and maybe 1/4" deep. The kiln will hold 5 shelves, which they are using since the classes are full (about 150 snowflakes at a time). Someone gave them a bunch of window glass, so being industrious, they made their own frit. However, the problem comes when firing. Some of the snowflakes are firing fine while others are barely tacking together. I know kilns have warm and cool spots, but I'm not sure how to advise a firing schedule since I've never used a ceramic kiln, or for that matter, window glass.
They started with:
400-1100-10
250-1245-30
300-1540-20
999-1015-120
80-800-0
They have tried a few batches and keep increasing the top temp -- last I heard, they were up to 1800 for 30 minutes.
Thanks in advance to everyone.
He is a high school art teacher and is wanting to introduce his students to the world of fusing. Yah him! I have given him supplies on occasion and advice but now it's a bit out of my realm and I'm hoping someone on the bulletin board might be able to help.
They are using a ceramic kiln, skutt KM-1227 and casting snowflakes and made the ceramic molds themselves, about 3" wide and maybe 1/4" deep. The kiln will hold 5 shelves, which they are using since the classes are full (about 150 snowflakes at a time). Someone gave them a bunch of window glass, so being industrious, they made their own frit. However, the problem comes when firing. Some of the snowflakes are firing fine while others are barely tacking together. I know kilns have warm and cool spots, but I'm not sure how to advise a firing schedule since I've never used a ceramic kiln, or for that matter, window glass.
They started with:
400-1100-10
250-1245-30
300-1540-20
999-1015-120
80-800-0
They have tried a few batches and keep increasing the top temp -- last I heard, they were up to 1800 for 30 minutes.
Thanks in advance to everyone.