i have no idea why I watch this video because I find it easier to just make the money and buy stuff I love but it is fascinating to see how craftspeople make stuff
Hi! loved your tutorials, very informative! I just got my first kiln, I know I'm supposed to fire it to season it. what is the best temperature and for how long? Thanks!
I'm trying to find the trowel he uses in the video on your website, but no luck. I'm not crazy about the "Stainless Steel Firing Spatula for Enamels" that you guys recommend in the links because it doesn't look as sturdy or supportive. (The reviews indicate the same.) Where can I find the trowel he uses in the video?
Thanking you for your good suggestions. I have a technical question. I am looking for the "Best of the Best" vitreous enamel results. Have you ever come across firing enamels with an electric kiln using atmospheric control? I'm thinking of modifying my kiln to be able to use argon during the firing process. Any comments?
Hi there! You should always counter enamel your pieces to help prevent cracking from tension. Amacote is used to keep enamels from sticking to the fiber disc. This is applied over the counter enamel and it will never come off. Amacote is used on pieces in which you will not see the back of the piece-Amacote is clay and it fires into the enamel at which you cannot remove it. We hope this was helpful, but please let us know if you have any other questions!
I find this process interesting, out of curiosity can I say repair a lantern hat that has a chipped area by reheating and putting the granules on the chipped area?
I was just curious about the colors firing different as you stated in the video. Would the layering of colors cause it to fire at different rates. The orange was layered over the yellow, would this not cause the extra time?
Thank you for your question! Because the kiln temperature is so high and glass enamel fires at 1250-1500 degrees, the many layers will typically melt and fuse together. You want to keep an eye on your piece, because size and thickness of the metal can play a part in the amount of time your pieces would be left in the kiln. Typically, you only have a piece in the kiln 1-2 minutes.
I have a question, so I don't have any way of ventilation for the wax burn out process so that I don't breath in any toxic fumes inside my apartment and I don't have a window available to create a ventilation system, so my only option would be to use my balcony to use the kiln and I was wondering if the Rio Grande small kiln will function properly outside in cold weather ? I live in Colorado so the weather is unpredictable some days it is cold and some days it is hot, what do you think?
Yes you would usually put your colored enamel over a clear or white base when enameling. A clear base will make the colors look less vibrant, and a white base will show the colors the best.
Thank you. I inherited a kiln and what turned out to be a bunch of copper enameling items. I have been experimenting, and generally like the outcomes, but feeling like I am missing something. Almost All of my powders are transparent. And I don't think I have any counter enamel. Trying to figure out what I am missing.
HI Karen, Thanks for your question. We talked to the Rio Jewelry Tech Team, and here is the advice they shared: "The issue described can happen when over-heating the enamels. When the enamels are over-fired there is more of a chance that the enamels will stick. There will almost always still be some sticking, but it should be very minimal and only where the trivets come in contact with the piece. Also, be sure to use a clean trivet. We like to double check that there is not glass stuck on the trivet before firing." Hope this helps, and thanks for watching!
Hi Ruth - If you are using the timing method, then yes, you would want the kiln to come close to the temperature before starting your timer. Let us know if you have any follow-up questions!
When using transparent enamels will doing a flux coat help clear the copper so that you don't burn the edges when you do the color coat or is that due to too tin of a coat on the edges?
Thanks for your question. A coating of clear flux on the copper helps dissolve the copper oxides into the glass. When done properly, this results in a bright reflective copper finish. When you apply transparent enamels over this layer, the colors are more bright and true. You do have to take into consideration that the copper color will show through the transparents and can give a slight difference in color than what you may have envisioned because of the two colors combining. Try to be sure that you have enamel on the edges and get good coverage there. If you have dark edges from over firing, stone that away before continuing. Hope this helps.
how big should the room that you use the kiln in be. I have a 10'by10' jewelry shed with a window air conditioner and I am concerned it does not have enough to comfortably and safely use a kiln
Hi Marlene, Thanks for your comment. Our Jewelry Tech Team recommends 6 inches around the kiln and your best judgment on the space. A 10’ x 10’ space should be enough for a kiln, but you will also want to consider that the kiln will get hot to the touch on the outside. If you are doing wax burn out, make sure it is vented to the outside. If you would like further assistance, remember you can consult our Jewelry Tech Team at 1-800-545-6566. (They're availalable 7am-6pm MST, M-F) Hope this helps!
Hi There, Thanks for asking. In this video Ricky is creating some simple swatches and designs that don't necessarily require Klyre-Fire. Klyre-fire is used when holding the medium in place for cloisonné or very detailed work. Hope this helps!
Great video. Thanks so much. I’ve done some enamelling in the past and have a kiln. This was an excellent refresher for me.
We are so glad you loved the video!
Thank you for such clear instrutions
i have no idea why I watch this video because I find it easier to just make the money and buy stuff I love but it is fascinating to see how craftspeople make stuff
Glad to know you enjoy the videos. Thanks so much for watching!
Well explained
Hi! loved your tutorials, very informative! I just got my first kiln, I know I'm supposed to fire it to season it. what is the best temperature and for how long? Thanks!
Hello! We would need to know which kiln you purchased because the temperatures for seasoning vary depending on the kiln.
@@RioGrande1944 Paragin SC3 Fiber digital electric Kiln. Thanks so much for the quick reply! 😀
No scratch preparation before applying enamel?
Como los subtítulos no disponibles, si estos esmaltes se usan en todooo el mundo !!!🌎
I'm trying to find the trowel he uses in the video on your website, but no luck. I'm not crazy about the "Stainless Steel Firing Spatula for Enamels" that you guys recommend in the links because it doesn't look as sturdy or supportive. (The reviews indicate the same.) Where can I find the trowel he uses in the video?
Thanking you for your good suggestions. I have a technical question. I am looking for the "Best of the Best" vitreous enamel results. Have you ever come across firing enamels with an electric kiln using atmospheric control? I'm thinking of modifying my kiln to be able to use argon during the firing process. Any comments?
In this example, were the first 3 pieces counter enameled? And why did he use the amacote on the 4th piece. Thanks for the videos.
Hi there! You should always counter enamel your pieces to help prevent cracking from tension. Amacote is used to keep enamels from sticking to the fiber disc. This is applied over the counter enamel and it will never come off. Amacote is used on pieces in which you will not see the back of the piece-Amacote is clay and it fires into the enamel at which you cannot remove it. We hope this was helpful, but please let us know if you have any other questions!
Is a dust mask enough?
I find this process interesting, out of curiosity can I say repair a lantern hat that has a chipped area by reheating and putting the granules on the chipped area?
ME ENCANTARIA ESTA EXPLICACION EN ESPAÑOL, POR FAVOR GRACIAS
Thank you so much
You are very welcome!
how can i put my enameled ring inside the kiln ?
I was just curious about the colors firing different as you stated in the video. Would the layering of colors cause it to fire at different rates. The orange was layered over the yellow, would this not cause the extra time?
Thank you for your question! Because the kiln temperature is so high and glass enamel fires at 1250-1500 degrees, the many layers will typically melt and fuse together. You want to keep an eye on your piece, because size and thickness of the metal can play a part in the amount of time your pieces would be left in the kiln. Typically, you only have a piece in the kiln 1-2 minutes.
I have a question, so I don't have any way of ventilation for the wax burn out process so that I don't breath in any toxic fumes inside my apartment and I don't have a window available to create a ventilation system, so my only option would be to use my balcony to use the kiln and I was wondering if the Rio Grande small kiln will function properly outside in cold weather ? I live in Colorado so the weather is unpredictable some days it is cold and some days it is hot, what do you think?
Hello! Thank you for your question. The kilns we sell are designed to be used indoors so we cannot make recommendations about using them outdoors.
So do you have to put a white base or transparent before you go back and add color?
Yes you would usually put your colored enamel over a clear or white base when enameling. A clear base will make the colors look less vibrant, and a white base will show the colors the best.
Thank you. I inherited a kiln and what turned out to be a bunch of copper enameling items. I have been experimenting, and generally like the outcomes, but feeling like I am missing something. Almost All of my powders are transparent. And I don't think I have any counter enamel. Trying to figure out what I am missing.
My counter enamel sticks to the trivet I am using the same size pieces as you are on the trivets, any suggestions?
HI Karen, Thanks for your question. We talked to the Rio Jewelry Tech Team, and here is the advice they shared: "The issue described can happen when over-heating the enamels. When the enamels are over-fired there is more of a chance that the enamels will stick. There will almost always still be some sticking, but it should be very minimal and only where the trivets come in contact with the piece. Also, be sure to use a clean trivet. We like to double check that there is not glass stuck on the trivet before firing." Hope this helps, and thanks for watching!
When you do the initial firing and then subsequent firings, do you wait for the temp to come up to the proper degree before you start timing?
Hi Ruth - If you are using the timing method, then yes, you would want the kiln to come close to the temperature before starting your timer. Let us know if you have any follow-up questions!
Just a thought
Can you enamel copper that’s embossed instead of divided by wires?
Yes, it’s called Champlevé.
When using transparent enamels will doing a flux coat help clear the copper so that you don't burn the edges when you do the color coat or is that due to too tin of a coat on the edges?
Thanks for your question. A coating of clear flux on the copper helps dissolve the copper oxides into the glass. When done properly, this results in a bright reflective copper finish. When you apply transparent enamels over this layer, the colors are more bright and true. You do have to take into consideration that the copper color will show through the transparents and can give a slight difference in color than what you may have envisioned because of the two colors combining.
Try to be sure that you have enamel on the edges and get good coverage there. If you have dark edges from over firing, stone that away before continuing. Hope this helps.
how big should the room that you use the kiln in be. I have a 10'by10' jewelry shed with a window air conditioner and I am concerned it does not have enough to comfortably and safely use a kiln
Hi Marlene, Thanks for your comment. Our Jewelry Tech Team recommends 6 inches around the kiln and your best judgment on the space. A 10’ x 10’ space should be enough for a kiln, but you will also want to consider that the kiln will get hot to the touch on the outside. If you are doing wax burn out, make sure it is vented to the outside. If you would like further assistance, remember you can consult our Jewelry Tech Team at 1-800-545-6566. (They're availalable 7am-6pm MST, M-F) Hope this helps!
hi, thanks so much for your lessons!
Was no Klyrefire (glue) used on any of these pieces because they were kiln fired?
Hi There, Thanks for asking. In this video Ricky is creating some simple swatches and designs that don't necessarily require Klyre-Fire. Klyre-fire is used when holding the medium in place for cloisonné or very detailed work. Hope this helps!
Talk less. Pay attention more.
Good life advice. 😊