Beads & PMC in the same kiln?

[sparrow]

Hi oh knowledgeable lot,

I'm in the process of getting my first PMC piece ready for firing (thanks to Becci!!). I've heard, however, that there can be issues with using the same kiln for beadies and PMC (about beads fuming afterwards, mainly) - any hints, tips................I hope I don't have to get another kiln...... 

[Caroline]

depending on the size of the pieces you could use a cooks torch on small pieces instead of your kiln

[sparrow]

Hmmm....... rose leaves? Don't think that qualifies for 'small'?

[ejralph]

I have heard about these fuming issues - never seen photographic evidence for it though. Given the amount of silver-laden glass we use these days, the concept that residue from old silver clay firings could affect the beads seems rather absurd to me.

I fire metal clay in the same kiln as my glass beads, heck I fire all sorts of things in the same kiln. Just not in the same firing. That said though, plenty of people firing metal clays and glass items together. YOu would think if there were any issue, then THAT type of project would really show it up. Again though, never seen any evidence of problems, only talk of it in a hypothetical way.

You need a kiln that can ventilate properly though I think. ALso, a kiln shelf that you can use dedicated to the metal clay as it does stain the shelve. SO makes sense not to put glass beads straight onto that staining afterwards in a subsequent firing. I just turn the shelf over when I am firing metal clay.

The other issue would be to make sure your kiln can comfortably reach the temperatures for metal clay because it is never a good idea to run a kiln at it's very highest temperature.

HTH

Emma

[sparrow]

Thanks Emma - I don't use a shelf for my beads, I plonk them on a piece of fibre blanket. So once I find my shelf (and the kiln wash!), I'll start playing. I've got an SC-2, so shouldn't be a problem?!

[ebj]

Just want to second what Emma Said- I use mine for everything- firing Metal Clay - BronzClay and my beads. I also work with the beads and metal clay together and have seen no issues at all. I have a paragon SC2 at the moment.

Emma 

[Mary]

I don't think it's an issue at annealing temps, but there is a theoretical risk at fusing temps if you've fired a lot of silver. I only take it seriously because the Paragon manual warns about it, and I presume they must have seen it, though I've not heard of anyone with issues.

[glassworks]

same kiln yes, same time, no.....



the kilns with sealed chambers (like the sc2 etc - any with a liner and unexposed heating wires) are fine for both processes as they burn off any residue anyway.. i have heard the one about silver being left over etc - but i have never had any actual first hand comment about any problems - it may be one of those "i knew someone once who said a friend of her had issues...."....

i thin it would be safe to say that everyone who does more than one hobby/job using different materials like pmc and glass use the same kiln for both, and have not experienced any issues...

[sparrow]

Thanks  After a moment of 'duh', I remembered I've got a Caldera, not an SC2, but I'm assuming same applies. Will get firing once I've sorted my piece out 

[magickminx]

I do PMC/Glass all the time in my kiln (Evanheat) & have never experienced any problems, please feel free to contact me direct if you have any questions (I'm assuming you can access my info I added to my profile, dunno if you can see that?  I'm a bit thick with this techie/forum lark!) 

As far as I'm aware none of my PMC students have had any issues either.

Leigh

[Trudi]

For normal anneling - I use a normal tile - obvioulsy PMC needs a higher temp, wondering if that would be ok to use still. Also, would you need to vent while firing PMC (ie take out the bung at the top) - I have an SC2.

By the way - hello to Leigh. I loved your joint article with Red Hot Sal. And am saving up for lessons!!!
Will you be doing lessons particularly covering using lampwork & PMC???

I love fairly local, and have had a lesson with Sal. And I bet that Di East would be interested too!!

[magickminx]

By the way - hello to Leigh. I loved your joint article with Red Hot Sal. And am saving up for lessons!!!
Will you be doing lessons particularly covering using lampwork & PMC???

Hi there, yup Redhotminx is up & running see www.redhotminx.co.uk, we will be adding some more dates as the November one is in theory 50% full after launching yesterday!!!

We're getting very excited    A big part of day 2 will be looking at not only how to enhance the glass with the silver but how to fix your broken orphans, so we're inviting people to bring along their heartbreak disasters that they couldn't bear to throw away so we can make them look fab once more!  We're also looking to sell vouchers for loved ones to buy as gifts so that people can save towards a course.  (I did this with my Level 2 certification, 3 people bought me vouchers & i really enjoyed my course more knowing that this was my Christmas present!)