Torch Firing & Tutorials » Discussions

Studio Set-up

• Tonya Powell

  

  Member
   

  August 30, 2010

  My set-up is by no means the 'best' way to set-up a torch firing space; but, given how little information is out there on torch firing, I thought I would share what I have.  The first picture is my enameling and firing station set-up. I am planning to install a cabinet with shelving on the wall above the station to house my enamels.  The table space to the left (red cabinet) is dedicated to enameling.  The 'firing' part of the station, on the right, is used for enameling, soldering, welding, etc.  (Metal work and kiln firing are done in a seperate space.)

  

   

  So far, I have used this set-up for firing small scale (2-3 inches or less) flat or curved pieces.  The standard set-up can take several forms, I describe and provide photos of the 2 set-ups I use most often. 

   

  In all set-up options, a ceramic tile serves as the base or floor of my set-up.  Ceramic tiles are a great and inexpensive way to protect your table surface and prevent fires.  I use an 8x10 tile purchased at Home Depot for a little over a dollar.

   

  Firing option 1: 

  The components are 4 2-inch kiln posts, 2 fire bricks, stainless steel mesh screen, and a stainless steel trivet.  The 4 kiln posts and the mesh screen serve as the 'enameling table'.  The fire bricks help to hold in the maximum amount of heat.  While no specific screen mesh thickness is recommended, keep in mind that the thicker mesh screens are greater heat sinks.  I use the 6x6 mesh from Thompson Enamel.

  

   

  Firing option 2:  

  The main components are a 6 inch tripod, a stainless steel mesh screen, and a stainless steel trivet.  Placing the tripod into a rotating annealing pan, is optional and would allow you to rotate the piece while keeping the torch stationary.  While no specific screen mesh thickness is recommended, keep in mind that the thicker mesh screens are greater heat sinks.  I use the 6x6 mesh from Thompson Enamel.

  

   

  I am working on a 3rd option based on a trivet I used at the referenced torch firing workshop.  When I get it working, I will share it as well.

   

  There are also some additional 'accessories' you can use to generate more heat and allow for firing larger pieces and hollow forms.  I will share images of those in another discussion thread.

   

  References:

  1. The Art of Enameling, by Linda Darty (pages 38 & 39)

  2.  'Cause and Effect' Torch Firing Workshop with Deborah Lozier at Thompson Enamel,

       August 2010

  3.  Deb Lozier Publication on Ganoskin.com: http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/torch-firing-enameling.htm

  My set-up is by no means the 'best' way to set-up a torch firing space; but, given how little information is out there on torch firing, I thought I would share what I have.  The first picture is my enameling and firing station set-up. I am planning to install a cabinet with shelving on the wall above the station to house my enamels.  The table space to the left (red cabinet) is dedicated to enameling.  The 'firing' part of the station, on the right, is used for enameling, soldering, welding, etc.  (Metal work and kiln firing are done in a seperate space.)

  

   

  So far, I have used this set-up for firing small scale (2-3 inches or less) flat or curved pieces.  The standard set-up can take several forms, I describe and provide photos of the 2 set-ups I use most often. 

   

  In all set-up options, a ceramic tile serves as the base or floor of my set-up.  Ceramic tiles are a great and inexpensive way to protect your table surface and prevent fires.  I use an 8x10 tile purchased at Home Depot for a little over a dollar.

   

  Firing option 1: 

  The components are 4 2-inch kiln posts, 2 fire bricks, stainless steel mesh screen, and a stainless steel trivet.  The 4 kiln posts and the mesh screen serve as the 'enameling table'.  The fire bricks help to hold in the maximum amount of heat.  While no specific screen mesh thickness is recommended, keep in mind that the thicker mesh screens are greater heat sinks.  I use the 6x6 mesh from Thompson Enamel.

  

   

  Firing option 2:  

  The main components are a 6 inch tripod, a stainless steel mesh screen, and a stainless steel trivet.  Placing the tripod into a rotating annealing pan, is optional and would allow you to rotate the piece while keeping the torch stationary.  While no specific screen mesh thickness is recommended, keep in mind that the thicker mesh screens are greater heat sinks.  I use the 6x6 mesh from Thompson Enamel.

  

   

  I am working on a 3rd option based on a trivet I used at the referenced torch firing workshop.  When I get it working, I will share it as well.

   

  There are also some additional 'accessories' you can use to generate more heat and allow for firing larger pieces and hollow forms.  I will share images of those in another discussion thread.

   

  References:

  1. The Art of Enameling, by Linda Darty (pages 38 & 39)

  2.  'Cause and Effect' Torch Firing Workshop with Deborah Lozier at Thompson Enamel,

       August 2010

  3.  Deb Lozier Publication on Ganoskin.com: http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/torch-firing-enameling.htm

• Jeanette Blix Ryan

  

  Member
   

  August 30, 2010

  Hey Tonya, where are the images you posted?
  Jeanette

  Hey Tonya, where are the images you posted? Jeanette
• Tonya Powell

  

  Member
   

  August 31, 2010

  Jeanette,
  I had originally posted them as attachments not realizing I could embed them with the text. You should see them embedded within the text now.
  
  Tonya

  Jeanette, I had originally posted them as attachments not realizing I could embed them with the text. You should see them embedded within the text now. Tonya
• Jeanette Blix Ryan

  

  Member
   

  August 31, 2010

  Hi Tonya, I see them now. Thank you!
  Jeanette

  Hi Tonya, I see them now. Thank you! Jeanette
• Trish White

  

  Leader
   

  August 31, 2010

  Great Job Tonya,
  
  What brand of Torch do you use? and do you use acetylane?
  I have purchased fire wall board at Home Depot which covers the table my kiln sits on and I cut a back board to protect the wall. I noticed that you have the pickle pot on the same table as your torch area.
  I would move that since it gives off fumes and along with the gases from the flame, could ignite.
  
  Thanks for such a great presentation.

  Great Job Tonya, What brand of Torch do you use? and do you use acetylane? I have purchased fire wall board at Home Depot which covers the table my kiln sits on and I cut a back board to protect the wall. I noticed that you have the pickle pot on the same table as your torch area. I would move that since it gives off fumes and along with the gases from the flame, could ignite. Thanks for such a great presentation.
• Tonya Powell

  

  Member
   

  August 31, 2010

  Trish,
  Thanks so much for the compliment on my presentation.
  
  I do not use acetelyne since propane is a cleaner gas and gives me more heat than I need for metalwork and enameling. The propane-only torch is a Bernzomatic. The Propane/Oxy torch is a Smith Lil' Torch and the Butane Torches are Blazer Stingrays (they reach 2500 degrees F).
  
  I try to make my studio as 'green' as possible; so, I do not use a Sparex type of pickle. I use a citric acid type pickle; so, the fumes are minimal. Nonetheless, due to the torch and soldering fumes, the device to the left of the pickle pot is a smoke and fume absorber (the one from Weller that I mention in your ventaliation discussion); and, I like how it pulls the fumes away from my face. Also, to the left of the fume absorber is an air purifyer (I think I mentioned this also in the ventilation discussion) which I also use in addition to a mask when sifting enamel. When I put the cabinets up, I plan to put a fire wall board on the wall as well.
  
  Although, I do look forward to moving to a larger studio space so I can put everything in one room and spread out more. I will likely have to wait until my son if off to college :-)

  Trish, Thanks so much for the compliment on my presentation. I do not use acetelyne since propane is a cleaner gas and gives me more heat than I need for metalwork and enameling. The propane-only torch is a Bernzomatic. The Propane/Oxy torch is a Smith Lil' Torch and the Butane Torches are Blazer Stingrays (they reach 2500 degrees F). I try to make my studio as 'green' as possible; so, I do not use a Sparex type of pickle. I use a citric acid type pickle; so, the fumes are minimal. Nonetheless, due to the torch and soldering fumes, the device to the left of the pickle pot is a smoke and fume absorber (the one from Weller that I mention in your ventaliation discussion); and, I like how it pulls the fumes away from my face. Also, to the left of the fume absorber is an air purifyer (I think I mentioned this also in the ventilation discussion) which I also use in addition to a mask when sifting enamel. When I put the cabinets up, I plan to put a fire wall board on the wall as well. Although, I do look forward to moving to a larger studio space so I can put everything in one room and spread out more. I will likely have to wait until my son if off to college :-)
• Beverly

  

  Member
   

  September 8, 2010

  Tonya,
  Thanks for the info and pics you sent. I've been meaning to ask what type of trivet is that round one with the legs and where would it be purchased. Would it be from Thompson's?
  
  Thanks again,
  Bev

  Tonya, Thanks for the info and pics you sent. I've been meaning to ask what type of trivet is that round one with the legs and where would it be purchased. Would it be from Thompson's? Thanks again, Bev
• Tonya Powell

  

  Member
   

  September 8, 2010

  Beverly, Are you referring to the ring with 3 legs and a mesh screen on top in picture 3? If so that is a 6 inch tripod (as opposed to a 9 inch tripod). I found it at www.cootltools.us. You would still place a trivet atop the set-up in picture 3, I just forgot to photograph it that way

  Beverly, Are you referring to the ring with 3 legs and a mesh screen on top in picture 3? If so that is a 6 inch tripod (as opposed to a 9 inch tripod). I found it at www.cootltools.us. You would still place a trivet atop the set-up in picture 3, I just forgot to photograph it that way
• Beverly

  

  Member
   

  September 8, 2010

  Hi Tonya,
  
  Yes that's the one. I might like to purchase that kind if I can't make one of my own. I saw some in a book made with regular or fire bricks too. I want to make pendants and that would be good for that. I've only covered some beads so far and it's fun.
  :-)
  Thank you

  Hi Tonya, Yes that's the one. I might like to purchase that kind if I can't make one of my own. I saw some in a book made with regular or fire bricks too. I want to make pendants and that would be good for that. I've only covered some beads so far and it's fun. :-) Thank you
• Melodie Moshure

  

  Member
   

  September 8, 2010

  Hi Tonya...
  I noticed the blue holder holding the distal end of your Benzomatic torch...would you please tell me where you got it and how easy is it to remove the torch from it...How well does it keep the torch in place. I need a holder for my Benzomatic when it is not being used...The one I have currently is easily knocked over...
  You're neat and organised...I had the same reaction with the pickle placed near the torch...I have mine next to a water source and always cool my pieces before I drop them in...and then wash them...and then soak for a few minutes in baking soda...What brand of pickle do you use?...maybe I could cut out a few steps!!! :-)

  Hi Tonya... I noticed the blue holder holding the distal end of your Benzomatic torch...would you please tell me where you got it and how easy is it to remove the torch from it...How well does it keep the torch in place. I need a holder for my Benzomatic when it is not being used...The one I have currently is easily knocked over... You're neat and organised...I had the same reaction with the pickle placed near the torch...I have mine next to a water source and always cool my pieces before I drop them in...and then wash them...and then soak for a few minutes in baking soda...What brand of pickle do you use?...maybe I could cut out a few steps!!! :-)