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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsAn almost successful glass kilnforming experiment...
Had a chance to get into the studio this afternoon to test fire a newly acquired kiln that I've been dying to use.
There are a few pings in the piece due to a short annealing soak and stuck to the form because I did not use a mold release (too anxious to wait until tommorrow till I get to the studio supplier)
I've got at least two or three variables that can drastically increase my success. Tommrrow I'll get to the supplier for material.
I'm mostly happy with it for a first go at it...
antiquie
(4,299 posts)Earth_First
(14,910 posts)It's just a piece of 'float glass' i.e. window or picture frame glass so there's nothing really interesting to look at aside from it's form.
Adding colors and variety in form will come with experience.
Thanks for looking...
eppur_se_muova
(36,227 posts)I've been looking at some small kilns but have no experience to go by.
Earth_First
(14,910 posts)A small 'test kiln' with an analog controller (much more difficult to fuse glass with) can be had in the 4-500 range.
Fully digital kilns with ramp/soak cycles start at the 500 range and sky is the limit.
The kiln I own is an analog cone-fired kiln that I monitor with an external digital pyrometer to maintain temperatures.
In the next few weeks I will probably convert it with a digital PID controller to take a lot of guess work out of the equation.
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
I'm very well read recently on the topic, and I'd encourage you to do the same. The online ceramics/stoneware/glass community is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. A lot of working professionals helped me get into the hobby.
Good luck!
eppur_se_muova
(36,227 posts)For some reason Googling 'kiln' produces a flood of irrelevant hits.
Earth_First
(14,910 posts)If so, this is where I started:
http://www.warmglass.com/phpBB/index.php
Also there is a ton of tutorial information here:
http://www.delphiglass.com/
eppur_se_muova
(36,227 posts)Solly Mack
(90,740 posts)Very cool.
Earth_First
(14,910 posts)My wife rolled her eyes in disbelief when told her I was getting into a new hobby.
Especially when there's still trim work to be done in the kitchen, and the season is rapidly changing...
Solly Mack
(90,740 posts)I'm getting into rug making and my husband pretty much has the same reaction as your wife.
I love glass. You'll have to combine hobbies and get some photos of the process.