jackie on thu 10 mar 05
Hi out there. Can someone help with a firing schedule for a raku clay? I
recently purchased a kiln to do warm glass slumping/fusing, etc. I wish to
make my own slump molds and purchased a raku body clay to sculpt such. I've
taken some course in sculpting, but never actually fired the items myself.
The clay house suggested firing to 'bisque" cone 04 or 06. I have a three
button kiln sitter and would need the ramping up/soaking/ramping down
schedule. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
As well, can someone suggest book that could guide me through the basics of
clay firing, glazing and finishing techniques.....since having all this
wonderful clay at hand will no doubt entice me into sculpting as well. (don
t you just love people who jump into the deep end and THEN ask how to swim..
.)
jackie
Kim Hohlmayer on thu 10 mar 05
Dear Jackie
Here is a quick course on how to do a bisque firing(which is what this
is called).
First make sure the sculpted item is dry to the touch.
Do not obsess over how dry or how thick it is in spite of what wiser
souls may tell you.
Place the item or items into the kiln. Put an 05 junior cone in the
kiln sitter, turn the
kiln on and turn the three dials all to low. Leave the lid up and
keep everything on low
with the plug left out. Check on it from time to time by reaching
into the kiln and touching the
item. When it is too hot to touch and you yank your hand back then it
is time to close the lid.
Leave it set on low with the plug out for at least three hours. If it
is thicker than about an half inch leave it sit on low for about an
hour for each half inch. After that put the plug in and start
taking it up to medium. Give it three hours on medium then about
three hours on high.
This is a combination of advice from a guy with a Masters in
ceramics from Ohio State as well as years of experience and my own 13
years firing kids' pottery and sculpture. I've never blown up
anything using this method.
Cool down is about 6 to 10 hours depending upon the size of the kiln
and how much stuff you have in there.
On Thu, 10 Mar 2005 07:29:51 -0500, jackie wrote:
> Hi out there. Can someone help with a firing schedule for a raku clay? I
> recently purchased a kiln to do warm glass slumping/fusing, etc. I wish to
> make my own slump molds and purchased a raku body clay to sculpt such. I've
> taken some course in sculpting, but never actually fired the items myself.
>
> The clay house suggested firing to 'bisque" cone 04 or 06. I have a three
> button kiln sitter and would need the ramping up/soaking/ramping down
> schedule. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
>
> As well, can someone suggest book that could guide me through the basics of
> clay firing, glazing and finishing techniques.....since having all this
> wonderful clay at hand will no doubt entice me into sculpting as well. (don
> t you just love people who jump into the deep end and THEN ask how to swim..
> .)
>
> jackie
>
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--
Kim Hohlmayer - Stilhaven Studio
Handcrafted Ceramic Beads, Jewelry and Buttons
Pleasant Township, OH
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