[Jewelry making - Article 00016] - Re: [Orchid] PMC and bezel wire before firing?

[Elaine Luther]

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>     I'd like to cut bezel wire and insert it in the clay before the
>     next firing (not in a kiln). Will it melt? Will the clay cause the
>     bezel wire to be distorted? Does anyone know an inexpensive place to
>     purchase a trinket kiln?

    Yes, you can insert bezel wire (fine silver) into any of the three
    types of PMC. No, it won't melt. The highest firing temp. of PMC
    (1650) is still below the melting temperature. It will only melt if
    the kiln's temperature goes too high. 

    No, I don't know of an inexpensive place to purchase a trinket kiln.
    I assume you mean the JEC Ultra-Light Beehive Kiln, which can be
    used to fire all three types of PMC. 

    You can buy it from John, who makes them, at: 

    http://www.jecproducts.com 

    or Rio Grande. 

    With the extra kiln shelves that you need, it will be $150.00 either
    place. 

    It's the cheapest, most versatile way to fire PMC. 

    Note I said cheapest, most versatile. Not the cheapest. The cheapest
    would be: 

    - the "Hot Pot" at $30.00 or $70.00 depending on what it's made of
    (uses alcohol fuel) 

    - torch firing 

    Neither of which are ideal. 

    There is also a new type of "kiln" that uses propane gas and costs
    about the same as the Ultra-Light. I can't recommend this personally
    as I haven't tried it yet, and I would think it has to be used
    outside, something that is not an option for everyone. 

Elaine

Elaine Luther
Metalsmith, Certified PMC Instructor
http://www.CreativeTextureTools.com (TM)
Hard to Find Tools for Metal Clay


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