Kiln casting in a ceramic kiln?

[CalyxAnn]

I’m trying to get a glass program started at a local non-profit arts center that already has a ceramic program in place. I was trying to come up with classes that would be different for the area (kiln casting is non-existant) that I might be able to use the existing ceramic kilns for.

I noticed that the ceramic kiln has a computer and is at least four feet tall with side elements. Does anyone have experience casting glass (we would be using open face plaster molds) in a ceramic kiln? Would it be possible without the risk of the projects shattering or stress fracturing down the road?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Carrie

[Stephen Richard]

Yes, it is possible.  They have good characteristics for casting.  However you need to know if the controller can cope with very slow decreases in temperature.  More importantly – can the centre?

Stephen Richard

blogs at: http://www.verrier-glass.blogspot.com/   and  http://www.glasstips.blogspot.com/

[rondee1374]

I’ve been going to a Ceramics Center in my hometown for over a year now and although I’m not the one who programs the kiln I do have experience with glass being fused in a ceramic kiln. 

The kiln that is being used is 8 sided and has side elements.  Heating the kiln and fusing is OK but a glass kiln is much better.  Most of my pieces have either been fused wrong or not long enough due to operator error.   Will you be the only one operating the kiln?   My experience with ceramic artists is that they have no idea what we do and therefore don’t care what happens to our glass.  I’ve had pieces break months down the road because someone, I suspect, came in and TURNED OFF the kiln before it was done cooking.  Other than that problem I’ve had no problems with any pieces.   Also be aware of how your students want their pieces fired.  We made our own molds with reclaimed clay and although I’ve been told this is not true I don’t think the molds got hot enough to melt the glass because I had no definition in my pieces.  However the molds that have been purchased on the web have work phenomenally.  So I say go for it especially if the kiln is digital.  

dee

 

[CalyxAnn]

So, I’m guessing that you’re (Stephen) saying either 1)the program will be long (2 days? longer?) or 2) the electricity costs will be high. I need to talk with the ceramic artist in residence and do some kiln testing, I think. I’m planning a different class at the moment and need to figure out the correct firing schedule for tack/contour fusing powders/frits to a single layer of standard thickness glass without much distortion. But, the kiln casting class would be preferable for the studio set up, if I can fire the pieces in the ceramic kiln at the center. That would mean no transport for me, and not using my studio kiln and tying it up for a week and not be able to use it myself.

Dee, the artist in residence is the only other person that fires the kiln and I will be meeting with her next week. I will keep your experiences in mind.

Thanks,

Carrie

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[Stephen Richard]

A three inch thick casting took 4 days.  Look at the annealing schedules on the bulleseye site for annealing and cooling times.  Look at Graham Stone’s book for heat up times.   Look at Warm Glass Forum for investment drying times.   A week for a 3 inch casting is not wildly out.

Stephen Richard

blogs at: http://www.verrier-glass.blogspot.com/   and  http://www.glasstips.blogspot.com/

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