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glass slumping in kiln

updated fri 8 apr 05

 

Cindy in SD on mon 4 apr 05


Hi Everyone

I've been reading about glass slumping and would like to try it, but I
don't want to buy a glass kiln until I know if I want to do very much of
it. At the top temp, which is around 1300-1400 degrees F. for most glass
(from what I've been reading), the kiln must be opened for a little
while to allow the temp to crash several hundred degrees, preventing the
glass from growing crystals. I'm worried that this might damage my kiln.
Anybody know?

Thanks,
Cindy in SD

Arnold Howard on mon 4 apr 05


Cindy, crash-cooling your kiln should have little effect on your firebricks.

The reason for crash-cooling is to bring the glass through the
devitrification range quickly. This is to prevent a dull finish on the
glass. However, many artists no longer crash-cool the kiln, because the
newest fusible stained glasses are not as apt to devitrify as they once
were.

Sincerely,

Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
arnoldhoward@att.net / www.paragonweb.com

From: "Cindy in SD"
> I've been reading about glass slumping and would like to try it, but I
> don't want to buy a glass kiln until I know if I want to do very much of
> it. At the top temp, which is around 1300-1400 degrees F. for most glass
> (from what I've been reading), the kiln must be opened for a little
> while to allow the temp to crash several hundred degrees, preventing the
> glass from growing crystals. I'm worried that this might damage my kiln.
> Anybody know?

Cindy in SD on thu 7 apr 05


Thanks, Arnold

It may be a while before I get to this project--gotta satisfy all my
accounts first--but I'm glad to know I don't have to start by buying a
new kiln. ;)

Cindy