bethany sillaman & rhonda russell on thu 17 nov 05
Hello Kris,
You are on the right track regarding the colors of the Mayco glazes not
being as bright (as when they are fired to cone 06). Here is a link from
Mayco's website that addresses your question:
http://www.maycocolors.com/high_fire.cfm
Hope this helps!
Beth in Ohio
Digging out after first snow
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Kris Ligon
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 9:27 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Glaze firing help
Hello,
I am an elementary art teacher and pretty inexperienced in most things
ceramic. However, I have a kind of "no-brainer" set up at my school...easy
kiln, straight forward projects, etc.
My question has to do with glaze firing. The kids use Stroke and Coat by
Mayco. We have a stoneware clay we use and I was told by the person who
sells my supplies (clay and glazes) to glaze fire at a cone 6. Now, Mayco
says to fire to a cone 06 but this particular glaze can fire safely without
problems up to cone 9 or 10(that's practically a direct quote from their
catalog). I don't think I'm seeing any major problems firing at a cone 6
except that colors are perhaps not as clear and bright as they could be
(this also could be due to the fact that most students don't use as many
coats as they should to acheive a good opaque color). I'm wondering if I'm
firing too high at cone 6 and should do cone 06??
Can somebody give me some professional advice?
Thanks,
Kris in TX
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Kris Ligon on thu 17 nov 05
Hello,
I am an elementary art teacher and pretty inexperienced in most things
ceramic. However, I have a kind of "no-brainer" set up at my
school...easy kiln, straight forward projects, etc.
My question has to do with glaze firing. The kids use Stroke and Coat by
Mayco. We have a stoneware clay we use and I was told by the person who
sells my supplies (clay and glazes) to glaze fire at a cone 6. Now, Mayco
says to fire to a cone 06 but this particular glaze can fire safely
without problems up to cone 9 or 10(that's practically a direct quote from
their catalog). I don't think I'm seeing any major problems firing at a
cone 6 except that colors are perhaps not as clear and bright as they
could be (this also could be due to the fact that most students don't use
as many coats as they should to acheive a good opaque color). I'm
wondering if I'm firing too high at cone 6 and should do cone 06??
Can somebody give me some professional advice?
Thanks,
Kris in TX
William & Susan Schran User on fri 18 nov 05
On 11/17/05 9:27 PM, "Kris Ligon" wrote:
> My question has to do with glaze firing. The kids use Stroke and Coat by
> Mayco. We have a stoneware clay we use and I was told by the person who
> sells my supplies (clay and glazes) to glaze fire at a cone 6. Now, Mayco
> says to fire to a cone 06 but this particular glaze can fire safely
> without problems up to cone 9 or 10(that's practically a direct quote from
> their catalog). I don't think I'm seeing any major problems firing at a
> cone 6 except that colors are perhaps not as clear and bright as they
> could be (this also could be due to the fact that most students don't use
> as many coats as they should to acheive a good opaque color). I'm
> wondering if I'm firing too high at cone 6 and should do cone 06??
I did a search of Mayco Stroke & Coat and it does indeed say it can be fired
^06 -^10. It's called a "Wonder Glaze".
I thought it might simply be an underglaze.
My suggestion would be to glaze fire at ^06 anyway. I would also suggest, if
possible, in the future to simply get low fire clay.
The reason for low fire clay & glaze is that much of the process is more
forgiving. One would expect thick sculptural work done by kids this age. Low
fire clay will allow more success, less explosions from firing wet work.
There will be less warping and easier glaze drip clean-up at low fire.
There is also less strain on the kiln at low fire and the kiln/elements will
last longer. It's more likely you'll be able to complete a firing during the
time you're at school by doing low fire. I certainly hope you are not firing
the kiln and leaving for the day and allowing the kiln to shut itself off!
-- William "Bill" Schran
Fredericksburg, Virginia
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
Kris Ligon on fri 18 nov 05
Thanks for your response, Bill. I was basically pointed in the direction
of this stoneware since I was new to the whole thing. She said it was
good for kids. So far I haven't had any explosions and I do agree that it
is a pretty sturdy clay. I do a bisque fire to cone 04 so I'm wondering
if the low fire 06 for the glaze firing will work just as well in the
hopes of retaining good color quality.
As for your question about leaving the kiln to turn itself off - yes, I
have had no choice and I do make many trips back and forth to check on
it. I would sure love to eliminate some of those steps
Your tips and pointers are surely appreciated!
Thanks,
Kris in TX
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