drop ring fell off center

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Michael Stevens
Posts: 83
Joined: Thu Dec 26, 2019 2:52 pm

drop ring fell off center

Post by Michael Stevens »

Unsure why one side pulled off center. one side thick the other paper thin. I checked level of kiln and it's pretty close to level if anything a hair off. the outer ring was 3mm thick and inner ring 9mm. dropping about 6inches. .

heating schedule ramp 250 degrees to 1000, hold 30, ramp 250 to 1150 hold 30 ramp 250 to 1250, hold 30.
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Brad Walker
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Re: drop ring fell off center

Post by Brad Walker »

Looks like it was closer to the elements on one side than the other. Is that possible?
Michael Stevens
Posts: 83
Joined: Thu Dec 26, 2019 2:52 pm

Re: drop ring fell off center

Post by Michael Stevens »

3 things I thought, I kiln not even heating, or schedule should go slower, lower and longer, or needs recalibrate. 2. my kiln isn't perfectly level. it's level but slightly off. 1mm maybe. 3. I didn't place the glass blank perfectly centered. but maybe you are right need to beore precise center in the kiln. but if off it's only 1 cm. I eyeballed it. but I could measure Next time. I really loved the color and bubbles and this organic spider pattern. hope I can duplicate. but I didn't write down what glass i used or exact amounts of things. I should make a precise log, but I hate paperwork :lol:
jolly
Posts: 63
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 7:44 pm
Location: Port Townsend, WA

Re: drop ring fell off center

Post by jolly »

Just a guess since I only use window glass. The color looks like it was darker on one side. The darker glass absorbs heat faster than the clear side so you would have to slow down your drop to make sure it heats evenly. You might want to do a test to see how even your kiln heats with strips of glass, all cut to the same size, and put on little pieces of bricks in many places in your kiln. If one area causes the strips to bend more, you will have to slow the firing down when firing larger pieces or other items that will make a difference such as your drop.
There is more to life than increasing its speed.-Mahatma Gandhi
DonMcClennen
Posts: 381
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2003 9:09 pm
Location: Ontario

Re: drop ring fell off center

Post by DonMcClennen »

I agree with Brad and Jolly.. could be placement, glass color, etc.. etc. The keeping of records eg: firing time/temp., type and amount of glass, kiln placement etc. is the only way for you learn, move forward, and not repeat that which does not work! I have 2 binders (25 years) full of my firing records that I still refer to on occasion.. I have not wasted a piece of glass in years!
Print up some firing record forms.. use them for every new situation.. your :) schedules, sketches, and comments will be a major assist in your future successes. :)
"The Glassman"
Michael Stevens
Posts: 83
Joined: Thu Dec 26, 2019 2:52 pm

Re: drop ring fell off center

Post by Michael Stevens »

so I did some tests. I checked level to make sure it's perfect. I centered everything precisely. I made sure glass was even color. my kiln is hotter on the left side. it pulled thinner on that side, small amount. it fell about 1mm off center. I just needed to grind a small amount from top.

my drop mold I made myself it's not perfectly round but pretty close.
thanks for tips. really helped.
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