Pearsons Glass - Fusing Glass With The Microwave Kiln

[pearsonsglass]

Hi Heather

Don't cut it down!!!

Can you take a photo and email me with your number so I can advise. My contact details are robertb@pearsonsglass.co.uk and tel is 0151 207 1474 (option 3)

THanks

Robert

[FantasyLDZ]

Hi Robert nice to see you again! I bought a kiln from you after the course I did at IFG 2 years ago. I am afraid the kiln I bought has malfunctioned, I think the inner wall is damaged and it does not seem to work at all. Would I be able to repair this? Someone suggested I could cut it down. I just looked at the brochure but I could not find the price, how much is a new one anyway. Thanks very much Heather

[pearsonsglass]

Good morning mass of hair

I'm afraid you cannot anneal beads in the kiln very well. These kilns tend to fire up to 960 degC which is far higher than fusing temperature (but only for about 30 seconds). This temp would cause the bead to melt.

To anneal you need to hold the temp at around 520 deg, I do have a small electric kiln including controller for sale on special offer at £250 plus VAT which you can fuse or anneal. The internal dimensions are about 6" square.

Give me a call for info

[massofhair]

Hi Robert

I bought myself a microwave kiln approximately 6 years ago and haven't used it as at that time there were no instructions available; mine came from Japan.

I would like to ask a question about annealing small beads in this type of kiln, is it possible to do this? FANTASTIC and informative video:-)

The web site is amazing and made me realise how much i miss stained glass making; think it's time for another visit to Mandrell St :-)

[pearsonsglass]

Hi James

This is a tough one. For simple fusing in the microwave I always use the full power and check part way through the firing. After you have become proficient with the kiln, it is easier to guide using one power setting and time to guage a tack fuse or full one. Give me a call on 0151-207-1474 option 3 and I will talk to you further

Good Luck

Robert

[TingoTango101]

Hi Robert– this is a great video. When you fuse, do you have to alter the wattage of the microwave? I noticed that some vendors advise that you should be using between 500 and 600 watts in the UK. I have an 800 watt microwave with power increments of 480,640,800. What wattage was the microwave in the video as that seem to fuse really well.

Thanks,

James

[pearsonsglass]

Hi Sandra

We do run a few microwave kiln courses in London. They are a half day and cst about £45 plus VAT if you give me a call I can tell you more about it. My work number is 0151-207-1474 option 3 and email robertb@pearsonsglass.co.uk

Speak to you soon

Robert

[pearsonsglass]

Hi Lucy

The good news is that any standard domestic microwave is suitable. The one we use for our courses was £40 from a well known electrical store that rhymes with "sonnet". It was the second cheapest they had, which I bought as it had a digital timer for accuracy and not a circular dial type that goes "ding"

Good Luck

Robert

[lucyswfc]

Hi there,

I have read on a few websites that you must have a microwave that is metal inside rather than plastic? In your experience, is that true?

[pearsonsglass]

Thanks for subscribing to my video.

If you have any comments or

questions please contact me on

robertb@pearsonsglass.co.uk

[georgeotj67]

Very informative, thank you!

[pearsonsglass]

Hi Sandra

You are correct. No big kiln is required, just a standard domestic microwave and a little microwave kiln.

I have used "Aventurine" and "dichroic" glasses successfully but I have not tried the goldstone dust

Hope this helps

Robert

[SandraLondon63]

Robert, sorry for not replying earlier; I just saw your message.

Thank you for the great insight into this subject.

In Murano, (near Venice) they use Aventurine for lampwork and incorporate this in their jewellery pieces. Rather than the metallic (which is amazing anyway) dichroid glass effect, the aventurine is like glitter which can take several colours.

I would love to attend one of your classes. Any chance of running them in London?

[pearsonsglass]

@SandraLondon63

Hi Sandra

We do run a few microwave kiln courses in London. They are a half day and cst about £45 plus VAT if you give me a call I can tell you more about it. My work number is 0151-207-1474 option 3 and email robertb@pearsonsglass.co.uk

Speak to you soon

Robert

[SandraLondon63]

OMG! this is pure genius... Are you telling me that we don't need a kiln and just this kiln thing that you sell. Simply incredible.. Can you fire aventurine (goldstone) dust to make the glass sparkle?

Thanks a million for the genius idea... I am visiting your site now... Cheers.

[pearsonsglass]

Ok... do you want to give me a clue as to what is wrong with the kiln. Has it been dropped or suffered an impact or water contamination? Is it heating up? Have you been careful not to get glass on the inner wall and used fibre paper every time?

Can you email me a photo of the problem. If all else fails bring it back to us and we will show you how to do it and test the kiln at the same time... You did buy it from us didn't you?

[stevensartifacts]

i accidentally the whole microwave kiln-- is this bad?

[pearsonsglass]

@stevensartifacts

Hi Steven

I'm not sure I understand your question?

I hope I can help

Robert

[stevensartifacts]

@pearsonsglass i sprinkled some frits on to a piece of clear glass and put it on the paper and put the lid on the kiln but then i accidentally the whole thing. is that bad??

[pearsonsglass]

@stevensartifacts

Hi Steven

That seems okay, but you don't say how long you had the microwave on for, which kiln you were using or what your result was like. Follow the instructions in the video and I'm sure you will have some success

Good luck

Robert

[stevensartifacts]

@pearsonsglass  well the problem is the whole microwave kiln... i accidentally the whole thing so.. not sure if this is bad

[phillyvinilli]

Hello.

About what temperature is the glass getting to ?

Can I put a metal like silver or gold in there with it ?

If so can I sit the glass in a recessed area in a piece of metal and allow it to melt into it ?

Thanks

Phil

[pearsonsglass]

Hi Phil

Ill post this as a few replies as Im short of words

The glass gets to about 940-960 deg C. This is much higher than the melting point of glass (around 800) as you actually "flash fuse" at this high temp for 20 seconds as opposed to 10 mins at 800 deg C.

Robert

[pearsonsglass]

Hi again

You can put metals in there (don't forget silver melts at a low temp) as the microwaves do not penetrate the "graphite" ring in the kiln. Be aware of COE discrepancies as metals have a much higher COE than glass so stress will be present. I have had some good results "sandwiching" clean copper foil between glass, but only problems trying to "fuse" jewellery bails.

Good luck and let me know how you get on

Robert

[animationsNcrap]

this guy looks like kenny from half baled

[pearsonsglass]

Thanks... I've never seen it, but I feel a trip to Blockbusters is on the cards

[animationsNcrap]

its the best movie ever you gotta check it out :D

[lcd1023]

this is amazing!!

[pattiemcdonald]

Great info,would like fireing times for silver clay. thank you!!'

[qweqqweqbt]

awesome awesome awesome! :)

that was one of the best instructional videos i've seen!

9/11 was most likely an inside job and the i.r.s. can lick my asshole! :)

[CarosLines]

Fabulous - this could get me back into working with glass!

[wavernr]

Very interesting! My wife would love this!

(Great presentation too! Very informative.)

[GrandmaFoxes]

Thanks for an informative video. Well done.

[axy1982]

i like flip flops.....