WarmGlass.com

Hi Joan, In theory devit doesn't occur until above 1350F but the extra time may have been enough to allow the devit to develop. Using a regular overglaze such as Super Spray or Spray A probably won't work. The curing temperature is much greater than the slumping temperature. It will either not melt ...

Hi Kris, Don't reach for the kleenex yet. The relay switch might have seized and prevented the kiln from cooling. Holding it at 1300F for a long time won't distort the shape ... might have caused some devitrification. Accidents are a part of the game. If it was easy everyone and their dog (especiall...

Hi Sarah, Good question. I have tried to figure this one out and have had no success. I believe the pull on the glass is greatest in the central part of each straight side of the mold. In the corners the strain is minimal because the glass is pulled from both sides (I bet that doesn't make a whole l...

Hi Joan, You have the patience of a saint! The approach you took works well, however I would suggest a change in your schedule. Molds have different slumping characteristics. So one schedule won't work for all molds. The slow slumping rate that you were experiencing is a great way to slump. You have...

Hi Jen,

I just ask the local pottery supply store for clay that will withstand multiple firings to 1500F and take what they give me ... I think it is stoneware or porcelain. (To be honest I don't worry too much about what kind of clay)

Cheers,

Bob

Hi Jen,

I have found that the chunks of grog in raku clay made it difficult to get a smooth surface on the mold surface.

Cheers,

Bob

Yes a weighty discussion it is. I would suggest listening to "A Truckload of Art" (I believe that is the title of the song) by the Austin Lounge Lizards, and downing a few brews before we start that discussion.

Cheers,

Bob

Ann,

You should have no trouble slumping it with that small overhang. There might be a slight mark from the edge of the mold on the around the perimeter of your bowl. Slump it at the lowest temperature possible and that will minimize the marks from the mold.

cheers,

Bob

let us just say my reaction (and also the poeple I am with) to this person's "art" was Why would you want to do that?? Relaxing is good........ Zane[/quote] An interesting point Zane. I love off the wall installation art. Some of my favourite have been : 1) the truckload of pennies that we...

Tony you're right, I confused the "artistic" with "creative". Try one or all of these: 1) Can you say what motivated you to do the work? what it represents to you? I believe if you can then that is your "artist's statement". Then... by logical definition, you are artisi...

Tony... Suffering from the logical traps associated with being schooled in the rigors of the scientific technique? The critical thinking that is a cornerstone of scientific research denying you room for creativity? I am tarred with the same brush (long time in grad school and industry) and festered ...

Dear JC, Hey, I get to put on a different hat for a change... that of a recruiter. I've done some in the past. The best approach to your question is to be honest. If your absence is due to illness tell them. If you include it, I would recommend it in the covering letter... something like...."I ...

I keep on thinking of a comparison between glass and a guitar. Anybody that buys a guitar gets the exact same thing... six stings attached to a resonating box. Hmm, Bob anybody who buys a guitar does NOT get the exact same thing...you can buy a $200 mass produced guitar or you can pay tens of thous...

I keep on thinking of a comparison between glass and a guitar. Anybody that buys a guitar gets the exact same thing... six stings attached to a resonating box. We all have access to the same techniques. From the same starting point we end up with hack guitarists (me!), accomplished guitarists, and p...

So what do I do about it? I only run the venting system during the initial heating through the brittle zone ( I turn it off at about 800F). I don't use it for cool down. I run the vent through a dimmer switch to slow the fan speed down. you probably already know this, but a lot of motors aren't des...

I'm enjoying the thread too! I have three more comments. First, Michael (I believe on page one of the thread) stated that he gets a lot from the class. I agree. Participants always bring fresh ideas to a class and I love to see the innovative ideas. I learn from the group. Second, is it right to cop...

Hi Paul, I have an Orton Kiln Vent on each of my two kilns. They draw a small amount of air downwards through holes in the lid of the kiln. SO the kiln can be kept closed during the firing. Orton states in their literature that the vent improves evenivity. I am not sure. I have noticed darker region...

Interesting topic and questions Tony, I have a couple of comments. First ( and probably one of the most important things) ... it is important to share techniques and provide our community with more ways to creatively express themselves. I started fusing in 1988 with only a couple of books and if I d...

Paul, I know how frustrating it is to have gunge from the lid fall on the surface of the glass. I have a couple of Evenheats with the cement parging on the lid. I find that the lid drops material in cycles. It will be bad for a couple of months and then be OK for a long time. I guess it is sort of g...

Hi Chris, Kaolin is a type mica... one of the minerals that make up shale. You can get it at pottery supply places. Years ago I tried making my own kiln wash using a recipe from either an early Lundstrom Book or from the Gil Reynolds book. It left a very grainy surface and peeled off the shelf durin...