I have a Maxine kiln and has just taken a couple of hollows out that have triton raised dots all over, half the dots are blueish and half silver mirror, like blue one side of the bead, silver the other, any ideas?
There is a post here from Redhotsal about using chunk of carbon in your kiln to make sure it has a reducing atmosphere.
http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=12927.0
i read another thread about the carbon block not being a good idea with some kilns due to the element relying on oxygen or something. I would check with your kiln people if its ok.
Sal's response was to the thread that i started actually cos my silver beads...Triton inclued are coming out of the kiln (batch anealed) with silver disappearing and am gutted. But its not consistent which is really annoying. Maybe their positon in the kiln in relation to other beads or colours is the problem. I have no idea as i'm new to this but if anyone else knows about any funny rules I would love to hear them.
Can anyone tell me if this happens to them in normal kiln where you put the beads straight in as you work? If it doesnt happen this way then we may have to start saving!!
Tracy x
Hi Tracy I am putting them in as I work and like you say its a bit hit and miss, I am going to try them in a different place in the kiln today, see how that goes
ok good luck lovey..its very frustrating isnt it...have posted something somewhere on here about this silvered bother so will let u know if i get any joy....x
O.K. I shan't go into the issues around this type of kiln work as it's best left to the experts such as Sal.
But I can comment on the kiln.
It is true that operating standard coil elements in a reduction atmosphere is none too clever as the elements rely on an oxidised coating for their protection. The reduction firing can often remove this coating.
However the MAXI element is totally shielded from the atmosphere and so will not be effected in the slightest by this type of firing.
Enjoy :D
Quote from: Lee - Kilncare on June 30, 2009, 11:53:09 AM
O.K. I shan't go into the issues around this type of kiln work as it's best left to the experts such as Sal.
But I can comment on the kiln.
It is true that operating standard coil elements in a reduction atmosphere is none too clever as the elements rely on an oxidised coating for their protection. The reduction firing can often remove this coating.
However the MAXI element is totally shielded from the atmosphere and so will not be effected in the slightest by this type of firing.
Enjoy :D
Hiya Lee, it hasnt removed the reduction at all, both sides are really shiney, just 2 different colours, I am wondering if its a heat thing as the half facing up was blue and the half facing down silver.
thanks lee, will be grabbing a bit of that charcoal from somewhere then...good of you x
just found this posted somewhere...will never find it again so i hope its helpful...it is to me...x
http://envisionsf.blogspot.com/2009/04/silver-glass-101-annealing-temperature.html
i hope you can make it work..this link...
I reckon its worth dropping Double Helix a line and asking them.
Hi there is a thread on Torch Bugs - on wonderglass topic that talks about lower annealing temps for silver glass - see pages 12/13.
But by lowering the temo you need to hold/soak for longer to compensate!
http://www.torchbugs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1991&page=12
thanks everybody, you are all stars... ;D x