About Betty Mays Expertise I can answer all questions about cast ceramics. All pertaining to casting, applying glazes,underglazes, overglazes, etc. Also, all about the firing of the kiln & where to go to buy supplies for the making of ceramics. Also, anything to do with pouring the molds, taking care of the molds, & the greenware that is cast in the molds.
Experience
Past/Present clients I have had clients all over the Rio Grande Valley, Dallas, Mexico, & Virginia.
Question Hi Betty,
Thanks for your time. My wife and I are making some small candle holders that have gold trim. We don't want to fire anything else with them, so we don't want to fire them in our big kiln. We have a small Nova table top kiln that is the perfect size for these pieces but we have no instructions for the kiln. The kiln uses an electronic timer/temperature control. We did a test fire on some glazes just to see if the kiln would work. The kiln heated fine but did not ever shut off on it's own. We finally shut it down on our own after 7 hours. The test cone was perfectly bent and the items came out perfectly. There is no sight hole to see when the cone bent. Any suggestions on how we time this and anything else would be of help. It would be helpful also if you know of anyway I could get information or instructions about the kiln. I have searched for information about this kiln but I believe the company is now out of business, They were out of Fresno CA and I think they were part of blar company. Thanks for you help.
Answer Dear Chris,
I am sorry that you didn't get a correct answer to your question, but I accidently hit the wrong place & deleted my entire answer.
It is good that you didnot go off & leave that kiln turned on all by itself. It may have set the house afire. At the very least, it would have ruined everything in the kiln if you hadn't shut it off.
For a gold firing, you should prop the lid open an inch or so & fire it on low for 45 min.; 45min. on medium; & the rest of the way on high with the lid closed. If it is working properly, it will shut off in approximately 30 - 45 min. Use a cone 019 for gold firings.
To check to see if it is working properly, turn it on & see if the coils turn bright red in 10-15 min. If not, then the kiln needs a new coil. & that is why it didn't shut off by itself.
I am sorry that I cannot help you with the kiln company. The small kiln that you are using is probably what is called a "jewelers' kiln". You might check with "National Artcraft" company. They are in Cincinnatti, Ohio. They are a wholesale company for the craft world & have a wide variety of products for kilns, etc.
I hope this has been of some help to you. God bless you.
Sincerely yours,
Betty
