My new favorite way to fire BronzClay, what’s yours?
I had been firing BronzClay with the two phase firing schedule and the larger stainless steel firing chamber from Rio Grande.
Since my kiln is older and can only handle one ramp speed and temperature at a time, this was slowly driving me crazy, since I would have to reprogram the kiln twice for every firing!
Judi Weers posted her favorite firing schedule on Metal Clay Gallery, and I’ve adopted it –
200 (or 250, depending on your kiln) ramp speed; or Speed 1.
temperature — 1516
hold time — 3.5 hours
So that was one change. The other change was I moved to a smaller firing chamber. I decided to do that based on the report from Hadar Jacobson’s blog, in which she talks about the importance of air flow around the firing chamber, and the placement of items within the chamber.
Notice how I have the stainless steel box up on extra blocks.
Finally, I think I’ve got a good, reliable, works every time firing schedule. I’ve even tested this one some large, thick pieces, and they’ve sintered beautifully.
I have been getting good results with this, consistently and repeatedly.
What about you? What’s your favorite firing schedule for BronzClay? or CopprClay? Post a comment, thanks!
4 comments Elaine | Techniques
I think the important thing to note with firing bronze clay is that you have to experiment with your own kiln and determine the right temp and time for yourself. So I know that your formula above will not work with my kiln. I have tried some of the schedules that have been posted by several different people and finally discovered that MY kiln fired a certain way. I think Mardel Reins (Cool Tools) guide (with photos) is the best to help you determine what problems you may have with firing and how to adjust the variables to achieve a well sintered piece.
Excellent point about the kilns Linda!
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I wish I had something of value to share. The first (and last time) I tried firing bronze clay . . . it – well – evaporated/disintegrated? Of 5 pcs I layered in charcoal about 10 mm in diameter ea. . .. 1 weird lump came out. The SC2 I have seemed to go rogue, the temperature began to fluctuate, the read out went wild. I had been using the standard instructions that I got from Cool Tools. I have recently gotten a new digital board and will try it again. I am still searching for feedback is anyone has any. No one at Paragon or any where can tell me why it may have happened. I figure at this point, I got nothing to lose but more clay?
Delia Traister