Torch fired enamel tips from the talented
@tkiplinger - “When I first got into vitreous enameling, I used a torch to fire my enamel paintings because I did not have a kiln in my fledgling studio. Though I now have a kiln, I still prefer using a torch! If you want to get into enameling but don’t want to invest in a kiln, torch firing is a great way to get into it with little investment. Here are some tips if you’d like to give torch-firing a try. 1) Approach: Always fire from underneath the piece with even, gentle heat. For work holding during torch firing, I usually place the work on a trivet on top of a soldering tripod and screen; this makes it easy to position the torch under the piece. Any torch with a diffuse bushy flame will work for torch-firing enamels. I use a Sterno butane torch. 2) Heat & Timing: Keep your torch moving to avoid warping and prevent the counter enamel from lumping and pulling in from the edges. To know when the enamel has fused, position a task light at an oblique angle during firing and watch the surface; remove the heat as soon as the surface turns glossy, which indicates it has fused. 3) Size: I only torch fire pieces no larger than around 2.5”. I have found it difficult to generate an even heat on larger pieces. For larger projects, I switch to the kiln. Safety tip: Remember to use ventilation when torch firing, and always wear protective glasses to avoid eye damage just as you would when working with a kiln. This video shows the making of my 2023 Tiny Catastrophes art jewelry collection that features loads of torch-fired vitreous enamels.” So helpful Teresa, thank you so much!
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