Firing schedule help for pattern bar dishes
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2003 5:30 pm
i've cleaned out six years of BE scraps from my jewelry business, which has yielded pattern bars sufficient for about 8 plates 10" square. i need a little improvement in the high end of the firing so the sheet ends up a little flatter, and a little better fused.
as an example, slices are 1"x2"x3/8", arranged in a basketweave lay-up. i had the pattern bars shaved at a tile shop, so they are fairly true on 3 sides, and slightly untrue on the 4th side. after i arrange the pieces, i dam all 4 sides. these slices are NOT placed on a base sheet of glass. have filled some of the crevices (maybe 1/16") with white powdered frit.
it's the top end of the firing schedule that needs your help. i have gone to 1500, hold 20 min, with result that bottom is very good, top OK, but granular appearance in frit areas. i flip sheet and fire it again so top side gets more flattened.
am wondering if maybe i should be going higher than 1500, or using longer hold at 1500, to get a better fuse where the frit areas are? they are fused, but retain the fritty look, as opposed to disappearing.
these plates will be sandblasted, slumped into plain curved mold, and acid etched for a sand-washed finish. i'm think i'm close to a good looking fuse, but not quite there.
thanks for any advice about the top end temps. i'm not very experienced with solving this kind of problem. kitty.
as an example, slices are 1"x2"x3/8", arranged in a basketweave lay-up. i had the pattern bars shaved at a tile shop, so they are fairly true on 3 sides, and slightly untrue on the 4th side. after i arrange the pieces, i dam all 4 sides. these slices are NOT placed on a base sheet of glass. have filled some of the crevices (maybe 1/16") with white powdered frit.
it's the top end of the firing schedule that needs your help. i have gone to 1500, hold 20 min, with result that bottom is very good, top OK, but granular appearance in frit areas. i flip sheet and fire it again so top side gets more flattened.
am wondering if maybe i should be going higher than 1500, or using longer hold at 1500, to get a better fuse where the frit areas are? they are fused, but retain the fritty look, as opposed to disappearing.
these plates will be sandblasted, slumped into plain curved mold, and acid etched for a sand-washed finish. i'm think i'm close to a good looking fuse, but not quite there.
thanks for any advice about the top end temps. i'm not very experienced with solving this kind of problem. kitty.