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Thanks for all the great replies! YoDuh....I use a mix of about 2 parts sand to 1 part plaster. I Added enough water to make a "clay like" paste. It set up very quickly, so I had to work to form the mold really fast! I got the "recipe" from here on the boards. Do a search for &qu...

Thanks for the response. I do not think the crack is from incompatibility, as all glass was 90 COE. Think it was maybe temp shock. Sometimes I am too impatient, and open the kiln way too soon. How long should I hold the temp for firepolish? I will try and heal that piece the next time I do a full fu...

I would love to post pictures of my kilns, as well as pics of my more successful pieces! But, alas, I do not know how to post pics either. (I am rather new here)....and it might be a while before I can post pics of the smaller kiln. The supplies I need to fix it have not arrived yet...but I WILL kee...

I was wondering what temperature you guys take the kiln to in order to properly firepolish a piece. I make mostly fused glass cabs for use in my wire wrapped jewelry. Will firepolishing restore a piece that has cracked, and needs to be re-fired? If not, then at what temp should I try and "heal&...

My Cress top loading kiln is 115 volts, 15 amps. My smaller front loading kiln is really SMALL, with the inside measuring about 4" wide by 9" high, by about 5" deep. It has no specs, as I think it is a homemade one. I bought it second hand, so I really don't know. I have been all over...

Not sure I'd know how to do that. Can you elaborate? You have really peaked my interest!!!

Yes, I usually unplug the kiln from its outlet.....i fel just turning it off is not sufficient. As i said, I try to be extra careful, as I am a clutz. I went to town yesterday, looking for the stainless steel rods....Would you believe I cannot find them? There is a welding supply store near here, bu...

I broke down and ordered a controller last week. It should be here any day now! I hope my fiancee can install it for me, as I am a real dummy when it comes to "non craft" chores. I WOULD, however, be interested in building a controller for my smaller kiln, once I fix the firebrick. Perhaps...

Thanks for the tips, as well as the sympathy guys! I am a bit of a clutz, so I am VERY careful around my kiln. But heck, I make handmade soap too, and am super careful with the lye, ......so far, so good. Anyhow, the "semi-combed" glass is still cooling in the kiln, so I guess I will decid...

I tried to comb some hot glass a few minutes ago. It did not work as I had hoped, and I have a burned finger as a result. I let the glass get to a red hot molten state, and then put on my safety glasses and a heat glove, and went after the glass with an old unbent coathanger. (pretty primitive, I kn...

Tom: I do not know much about pottery. Can you explain slip casting? I'd really like to learn more about pottery and ceramics, among other things, but glass is my "love" right now! Any help with these unfamiliar terms will be most appreciated....LOL!

On the topic of drying, how long should a clay mold dry before being fired? I too had one explode in my old kiln, and it scared me so badly, I do not want it to happen again! LOL! My molds are about 1/2 inch thick. How long should I let them dry before firing them??? Thanks.

That is true, I suppose. I am just not a very patient person, and time is of the essence right now. I also hate to wait for the clay to dry before it can be fired, which takes DAYS at the very least. But, you DO have a valid point. Perhaps I should just make some and post the results! Thanks for the...

Thanks for the response, Paul. I will search the archives to see what I can find out. I just noticed that some of you were making molds from fiber board, etc. As I said, my options are limited due to the fact I need rather small molds for jewelry pieces. I'd like som new shapes, and guess I should s...

I need to know from you more experienced glass workers which materials are best for molds, and where can I find these materials? I use a lot of terra cotta plant pots and dishes, but am limited by their shapes. I can also make and fire my own molds out of high fire clay, but it is a lot of trouble. ...

Thank you for the advice! I will go and look around for a controller now. Much easier than Having to figure out how to build my own! Thanks again

Hi! I need some in depth instructions on how to make a controller for my older model cress kiln. It is about 1.5 feet square on the inside, & opens from the top, and I have fused some glass in it in the past, some pieces successfully, and some not. I think controlling the temperature will be hel...

Kitty & Kelly: Sounds like we are all "kindred spirits"! My Mom gave me a drill press last Christmas....what a wonderful toy! Very handy in jewelry making. I had to keep an eye on my brother, he liked it so much...LOL! Terry, my fiance, is VERY good to me. He just planted about 3 acres...

:D Hi everybody! I m on a little "mini vacation" right now, helping my mom get settled into her summer house. Anyway, fiance just called, and he got me a NEW KILN! YAY! Well, it is a good used kiln, but he says it is a large CRESS brand. It heats up great, and I can't wait to get home tomo...

Thanks for the advice. I am looking for another kiln, but $ is a big problem. We are going to TRY to fix mine, but I only hold a bit of hope for it. When I did my last fused glass in the kiln, it melted BEAUTIFULLY....all colors were fused into ONE "puddle" of glass. But when I let the kil...