I have made 3 pieces art clay copper and torch fired each. I have held them at a cherry red for between 5 and 7 minutes, but unfortunately all three have failed. Two of them broke with pressure and on the inside I see what looks like crumbly dried clay with a layer of shiny copper on the outside. I am new to the world of metal clay and decided to start with the copper because it is substantially less expensive than silver. However, from what I've seen in my research I don't think the firing should be giving me this much difficulty. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Christina, make sure you watch the video and read the info attached to the video - it's the very little things that will make the difference between success or failure. Here are some important points: - Firing base metal is much harder than firing silver (whether with a torch or kiln). It requires practice and extra care. - 🔥 Fire only smaller and simpler pieces. Keep them under 30-35gm, and not much bigger than a 50p coin. - Use a large flame torch! You need a BIG bushy flame - if your torch is too small it won't work. We recommend a plumbers torch.🔥 Use a large flame torch! Something like this is ideal: www.metalclay.co.uk/gosystem-f... 🔥 The flame is your friend. It protects the surface from oxidising. Do NOT move the flame away from your piece until the second you’re ready to quench. - Flame needs to cover pretty much entire piece ALL the time from start until it plunges into the water. If you need to move the flame around to cover the piece, do so carefully and quickly. 🔥 Fire hotter than silver. The piece should glow cherry red 🍒. Not peach 🍑. - When you torch fire fine silver you can stop and start, and move the flame off the piece and then start again; with copper you CAN NOT 🛑 move the flame off until you are finished. - Get ready to quench AS SOON AS the flame moves off the copper. See the video for how it should be done. Every second the hot metal is out of the flame will give you bad oxidisation. Good luck!
Hi! I have used silver clay successfully using my Gas Hob with a firing mesh and cover. Will I be able to reach the adequate temperature with my hob too? I do not have a torch and I would prefer to avoid buying it. Thanks!
Afraid not. A gas hob doesn’t reach the same temperature as a torch does, neither can you ensure the entire piece is covered by the flame which increases the risk/amount of firescale. So you have to use a large flame gas torch or a kiln.
No, it is the quick crash cooling that makes this work, if you leave it to cool down it will create a thick layer of fire scale. If you want to add a stone I would suggest using a kiln.
Pickling isn't a part of the process that must happen. If you need it or not depends on how firescale/oxidisation has affected the piece - and this is dependent on how good you are at keeping the piece well covered by the flame, how quick you are at quenching, the texture of the piece, and a few other factors. Basically - if just scrubbing gives you the look and effect you are after, then no pickling is needed. If it doesn't, pickling is the way to go. 👍🏼
