homemade kiln for firing glass painting
alasdair...@dai.co.uk
My girlfriend is a stained glass artist and has just moved to Bombay
India. She is setting up a workshop to do restoration/conservation work
on the many Victorian painted windows there. She needs a kiln but there
are problems with electricity supply, import duty etc. We have heard of
an 'alternative technology' way of making a low cost kiln from refactory
blanket and a blowtorch. I have a supplier for the blanket, but need some
details on how to construct a kiln (temp approx 750 dec C). Anyone out
there who can help?
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Gerry Eversole
alasdair...@dai.co.uk wrote in article
<8697492...@dejanews.com>...
I have heard reports of a paint firing kiln made out of two sinks, one
inverted over the other and fired using propane and a regular torch head.
The operation sounds similar to the old gas fired domed kiln I worked with
in New York.
The general process goes like this...line two sinks with refactory
blanket. The drain in the bottom sink should be sealed and covered. The
drain opening on the top sink can act as a vent/damper on the top to
control the gas firing in the chamber. You may have to add an extra opening
in the top if the one does not give you enough control. The tap openings
can be used as viewing holes with a kiln brick plug. Drill a hole in the
side for the torch head so that the flame can brush across the surface of
the glass to fire the paint.
Now the fun part... place the glass to be fired on the bed, and place the
"top" on the kiln, fire up the torch using a very "soft" flame, open the
"vent/damper" in the top of the kiln all the way and insert the flame into
the side opening. Be careful not to let the flame hit directly on the glass
as you might get thermal shock or blow the unfired paint off the glass. Aim
the flame slightly up and away from the glass and let it heat for about 15
minutes. open the viewing port and slowly close up the damper on the top of
the kiln using a tin can or pce. of metal. You should see the flame drop to
the surface of the glass and "boil" there. Watch for the paint to take on
the shine and then open the vent and let the flame rise and sit for about 5
minutes, then remove the flame and let the glass cool in the chamber for
another 20 minutes before removing to a warm spot.
At this point I would advise anyone who is not familiar with the process
of a paint firing kiln and the medieval by-guess and by-golly method of
firing -DO NOT TRY THIS! A Jerry-built,(yuk-yuk-yuk), contraption like this
should hit about 1250 degrees F. and things can go very badly if it comes
apart in your 2nd storey, wooden floored, studio.
Sattler Studios in Germany have opened up a studio in New Brunswick and I
heard that Norbert Sattler built a kiln like this rather than fuss around
buying one.
If your friend is familiar with firing, and is from England, I would
assume that she has seen one of these kilns and understands the operation.
Finally, two questions.
1. Is she working with Alfred Fisher and the crew restoring the old
British library? -if so have her pass on greetings to Mr. Fisher from all
the glass rats in Toronto.
2. Does anyone know where there might be one of the old gas-fired painting
kilns for sale? They are truly wonderful for firing paint, (and you can do
a nice roast chicken real quick too).
Gerry Eversole
Toronto, Ontario,Canada