Torch Firing

-->Torch firing: 

• Sift or pack enamel as usual, let the piece dry. 
• Heat the piece with a torch instead of the kiln. 
• Heat slowly and evenly- keep your flame in motion all over the piece. The firing process takes longer with the torch, so be patient. 
• Since the torch heats unevenly, this technique creates unusual effects- iridescence in the enamel, black rims around the edges. 

• Torch-firing is an unpredictable method, and is best suited for pieces that do not need to be identical. 
• By putting the flame on the enamel, you can achieve and iridescent effect and some enamel colors will change color as well. 
• Several of the opaque reds develop a navy blue skin over them. 
• If you don’t want iridescence, torch from underneath. 
• Always have your piece on either a firing rack or a trivet, as the soldering board will stick to the enamel and leave residue.

Project 1

Project 1: Opposites
For this project create a piece around enamel that portrays opposites. You can interpret this literally or abstract. Consider dictionary definitions of opposite as well as synonyms. What do you think of when you hear opposite? Consider light/dark, good/evil, pro/anti, front/back, in/out, over/under to name a few.
Think about the enamel as the piece itself rather than as something that need to be set. Your piece can be flat or three dimensional.

Use at least one of the following techniques:
Dry sifting, Wet packing, Torch firing, Sugar coat, Orange peel, or Etched surfaces.

10 color design of opposites due September 17.
Final project is due beginning of class October 15.

Enamelling on Three Dimensional Surfaces

For the most part, enamelling on 3D, formed, or domed surfaces is like enamelling flat. You follow all of the same steps- clean the metal, agar, put on the enamel fire, clean, etc.

A couple of things are trickier with curves however…

Enamelling on the convex surface:

• When enamelling on the convex side, make sure that your enamel layers are as even as you can make them. Enamelling on the outside of the curve creates more stress on the enamel, making uneven surfaces prone to cracking during cooling.
• If sifting- make sure that you are get a good coat on the entire surface. It’s very easy to get a nice coat on the top and sparse on the sides. Hold the piece on a couple fingers and sift with your other hand to help get an even coat.
• Wet packing the enamel is usually easier than sifting with formed surfaces.
• To smooth the convex surface after firing, use the alundum stones or the diamond pad files.

Enamelling on the concave side:

• When enamelling on the concave side of a form, you can sometimes skip the counter enamel. Because of the way the tension works, the form is curving with the tension of the enamel. If you aren’t putting many layers of color on, you do not need to counter enamel.  Wet packing is certainly the preferred method for applying the enamel. Make sure to wick away the excess water while packing to insure that your enamel doesn't slide to the bottom.
• When firing, be extra careful not to over fire, as gravity does take effect if the enamel is left in the kiln long enough, and it will pull away from the higher areas into the lower ones.
• To smooth out the enamel- you can use the alundum stones as they take the shape of what you are stoning with them- you will notice that a couple of them have rounded ends. Also use the diamond burs in the flexshaft. It will take some practice to control them.

It is very important on formed surfaces to have a good coat of KlyrFire. Depending on the form, you may not need to use a trivet when firing, or you may need to customize a rivet to suspend your piece. Make sure to clean the edges of the form for a more professional look.

Color Chart Links:

Thompson Unleaded Opaque

Thompson Unleaded Transparent

Japanese Transparent

Japanese Opaque

Schauer Transparent

Schauer Opaque

Suppliers

List of Suppliers

Rio Grande

www.riogrande.com

Enamel Emporium

1221 Campbell Road

Houston, Texas 77055

www.enamelemporium.com

Enamelwork Supply Co.
1022 NE 68th
Seattle, WA  98115
(800) 596-3257  (206) 525-9271

www.enamelworksupply.com

Allcraft
45W.46thSt. 3rdFloor
NewYork,NY 10036
(800) 645-7124  (718) 789-2800

Metalliferous,Inc.
34W.46thSt.,2ndFloor
NewYork,NY 10036
(212) 944-0909  fax:  (212) 944-0644

www.metalliferous.com

Schlaifer's Enameling Supplies
1441HuntingtonDr. PMB1700
SouthPasadena,CA 91030
(800)525-5959

www.enameling.com

Thompson Enamel, Inc.
650ColfaxAve
Bellevue,KY 41073
(859)291-3800

www.thompsonenamel.com

E-namels
http://www.e-namels.com/

Local suppliers

Terra Firma Enterprises, Inc.
1316-B Reisterstown Road
Pikesville, Maryland 21208
Phone (410) 602-2232
Fax (410) 602-8089

Surfaces: Stoning and Sanding

Surfaces: Stoning and Sanding

To smooth the surface after and between firings:

• Use either the alundum stones or diamond pad files under running water.
• Grind down the high points.
• If there is an appreciable difference between the high and low areas, you may want to pack the low areas with more enamel and refire.
• If the piece is relatively flat, stone until the entire surface is matte.

To make the surface glossy again:

• Refire

To keep the surface matte:

• Go through the diamond pad files (just like sandpaper) to the grit you want.

The alundum stones and diamond pad files can also be used to remove any stray bits of enamel that fire to the clean metal surface while counter enamelling and they clean the edges up nicely as well. 

Alundum stones are 150 or 220 grit.

3M Diamond pad files are: 80, 150, 220, and 400 grit.

3M also has Diamond Hand pads which come in the same grit and are similar to sanding blocks.

Firing Temperature Charts- Thompson's