Kiln Formed Bracelet Sizing
Moderators: Brad Walker, Tony Smith
Kiln Formed Bracelet Sizing
I am making some bracelets Jayne Persico style. I bought her video and it alludes to a chart for making several different sizes on the same bracelet mandrel. The bracelet kit I bought was second hand and did not include this chart. Is anyone willing to share this info???? Thanks for any help!
JJ in NC
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Well I'm still trying to get the right size blank to go around the mold, regardless of whose wrist it will fit.
Also, I find it really difficult to tuck the ends under without sending the form skittering across the kiln shelf (or worse, knocking the glass askew).
The bracelet molds I have are the ones from DiamondTech (Fireworks) and I initially tried to coat them with kilnwash (as a precaution against the fibre ripping). Couldn't get anything to stick. I've never had this happen with any other stainless product I've used. It's pretty thick steel, do I have to heat it longer? I took it up to 1000F and the steel turned nice and blue, but the wash just beaded up.
Also, I find it really difficult to tuck the ends under without sending the form skittering across the kiln shelf (or worse, knocking the glass askew).
The bracelet molds I have are the ones from DiamondTech (Fireworks) and I initially tried to coat them with kilnwash (as a precaution against the fibre ripping). Couldn't get anything to stick. I've never had this happen with any other stainless product I've used. It's pretty thick steel, do I have to heat it longer? I took it up to 1000F and the steel turned nice and blue, but the wash just beaded up.
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- Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2003 5:59 pm
- Location: Massachusetts, USA
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Wrap the mold with a piece of ceramic fiber, then measure around the mold. Subtract an inch and that is what you want your glass cut to. Add another layer and measure again. Subtract an inch.... do this for 1/32, 1/8 and 1/4" fiber paper (and all the combinations) and you'll get a chart that will get you started. You'll need to tweak the inch (plus or minus) to compensate for your glass thickness.
Tony
Tony
The tightrope between being strange and being creative is too narrow to walk without occasionally landing on both sides..." Scott Berkun
thanks Tony! What have you found to be the best sizes? Lynne, I have never heard of kiln washing the bracelet mold- only using fiber paper. I've used thinfire with great success-just put wire around to hold it. If you use thicker fiber paper you need to put it on the mold and prefire to 1200F before slumping your bracelet.
JJ in NC
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- Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2003 5:59 pm
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For the medium mold, the chart lists a 6" blank on thinfire, 6¼" blank on 1/32" fiber, 6½" blank on 1/8" fiber and 6¾" blank on 1/32" + 1/8" fiber. I find that these dimensions close up the opening too much, so I typically subtract 1/8" or 1/4" from the blank dimensions.
A 6" blank on the medium mold with 1/32" fiber is a really good fit for a lot of women.
Tony
A 6" blank on the medium mold with 1/32" fiber is a really good fit for a lot of women.
Tony
The tightrope between being strange and being creative is too narrow to walk without occasionally landing on both sides..." Scott Berkun
I scanned he first page of instructions.. I've lost the second page.
http://users.ntplx.net/~tracyct/bracelet.jpg
http://users.ntplx.net/~tracyct/bracelet.jpg