Table of Contents
Torch firing is a great, inexpensive, way to fire your metal clay. You can use a small butane gas torch, like a kitchen torch, to fire all the Art Clay Silver clays.
How do you fire metal clay?
All types of metal clay can be fired in a kiln. As long as the kiln can ramp up to the required temperature (as high as 1650 degrees F/900 degrees C) and can hold that temperature for anywhere from 10 minutes to 4 hours, it can be used for firing metal clay.
What PMC clay can be torch fired?
Metal Clay Firing Kits Copper clay is the exception. Copper clay can be torch or kiln fired.
Can you over fire metal clay?
The advantage of the PMC3, PMC+ and Art Clay is that you can fire it with either a kiln, a gas torch or even on your hob!.
Can metal clay be fired in an oven?
Precious Metal Clay or Art Clay can be fired in any furnace that will sustain the required temperature with reasonable stability. Almost any kiln with a pyrometer, like those used for burnout or enameling, will work.
Is Precious Metal clay real silver?
Jewelry Metals Precious metal clay (or PMC) is just what it sounds like: fine silver or gold ground extremely small and suspended in a binder to create clay. Since heat usually doesn’t bother CZs, he put it into the jewelry piece first and then fired it.
Can you fire silver clay at home?
The great thing about working with Silver Clay, is that it can either be fired manually, using a Blowtorch or Gas Hob, or in a Jewellery Kiln. So, whatever level you are at in your Silver Clay Jewellery Making and whatever Silver Clay Tools and Supplies you have, it is easy to fire silver clay at home.
Can you torch fire sterling silver clay?
To depletion gild, first heat the sterling silver with a torch or in a kiln until it turns a dark charcoal gray. When the added silver clay is completely dry, fire at no more than 1200°F / 677°C for 30 minutes.
What is the difference between PMC and Art clay?
Yes, all three versions yield the same metal, 100% silver. The difference is not in the ingredients but in the shape of the particles. Original PMC is made with flake‑like particles that allow room for the binder, which gives the material its workability. PMC+ is made with a particle with more neatly defined edges.
Why does precious clay shrink?
Due to differences in the binder and size and type of metal particles, different metal clays will shrink at different rates. You can calculate the finished size of a metal clay piece using the correct shrinkage rate for your clay. Be sure to verify the shrinkage rate for your clay before using these calculators.
How do I fire PMC without a kiln?
To fire metal clay without a kiln and with a gas hob, here’s what you have to do: When firing PMC using a gas hob all you’ll need to pick up is a mesh sheet. Make sure the mesh sheet is stable over the hob. Dim the lights and turn the hob on. Switch the hob off.
Can you fire silver clay in microwave kiln?
Many people know that a microwave oven can be used to dry clay quickly when you’re in a pinch. Designed for working primarily with small glass objects or precious metal clay, the microwave kiln is also suitable for firing small clay pieces, from beads and pendants to test tiles or small sculptural objects.
How much is metal clay?
Typical costs: A 20 gram package of silver metal clay runs around $25-$40; 50 gram packages are $65-$75. Gold metal clay runs $230-$280 for 5 grams and $350-$400 for 10 grams. A small hand-crafted solid bead would use about two grams of clay, about $2.50-$4 in silver and $70-$115 in gold metal clay.
How do you use precious metal clay?
In its raw state, metal clay can be shaped, molded or sculpted with simple tools and your hands. File and carve the clay once dry then sand for a nearly perfect finish before firing. During the firing process, the harmless binder burns away and the silver particles sinter (fuse) to form a solid 99.9% pure silver piece.
Can you torch fire PMC Flex?
PMC Flex is the most advanced form of silver clay on the market. Even when dry this clay remains flexible, making it ideal for making rings. The increased flexibility also means it is great for creating thin strips, coils and sculptural pieces. It can be fired with a torch or in a kiln, shrinks approx.
Which metal clay is best?
Precious Metal Clay works best if kiln fired. When fired at 1650° for two hours, this is the strongest fine silver clay available. Well suited for items that will be worn often.
Does precious metal clay shrink?
Out of all the clays reviewed, PMC flex definitely has the longest drying time, so you must ensure it is fully dry before firing – ideally leave it overnight or put it in a dehydrator if you have one. It can be fired using a torch or a kiln, and the shrinkage rate is at approximately 10 – 15%.
Is Precious metal clay toxic?
When fine silver and 22k gold are combined with a non-toxic, organic binder to create metal clay, the resulting material is also non-toxic and safe to use. Some may develop a rash, experience itching, or notice a green discoloration on their skin after contact with these clay bodies.
Can Sea Glass be fired in a kiln?
When fired in the kiln, the clay sinters (bringing the metal particles together with the use of high heat) and bonds with the fine-silver bail uniting the two pieces. Glass can withstand being fired; each type of glass has a different heat tolerance and marrying the metal and the glass can be a little tricky.
Why does PMC shrink when fired?
After the water is driven off, the object is heated to the fusing temperature of the constituent metal. During heating, the binding material burns away, which causes the object to shrink to a degree equal to the volume originally occupied by the binder.
Are clay rings durable?
I’m not sure why this polymer clay myth is so popular lately, but it sure is a hard one to overcome! Polymer clay is vinyl plastic and therefore is already waterproof, washable, and durable. It does not need sealing and in many cases adding a sealer, varnish, or glaze can ruin your piece.
Can you gold plate silver clay?
You can gold plate silver clay pieces yourself but I tend to get this done at a caster. It’s great to easily be able to offer different price points for your work and rose gold is particularly popular at the moment.
How do you fire metal clay?
All types of metal clay can be fired in a kiln. As long as the kiln can ramp up to the required temperature (as high as 1650 degrees F/900 degrees C) and can hold that temperature for anywhere from 10 minutes to 4 hours, it can be used for firing metal clay.
What PMC clay can be torch fired?
Metal Clay Firing Kits Copper clay is the exception. Copper clay can be torch or kiln fired.
Can you over fire metal clay?
The advantage of the PMC3, PMC+ and Art Clay is that you can fire it with either a kiln, a gas torch or even on your hob!.
Can metal clay be fired in an oven?
Precious Metal Clay or Art Clay can be fired in any furnace that will sustain the required temperature with reasonable stability. Almost any kiln with a pyrometer, like those used for burnout or enameling, will work.
Is Precious Metal clay real silver?
Jewelry Metals Precious metal clay (or PMC) is just what it sounds like: fine silver or gold ground extremely small and suspended in a binder to create clay. Since heat usually doesn’t bother CZs, he put it into the jewelry piece first and then fired it.
Can you fire silver clay at home?
The great thing about working with Silver Clay, is that it can either be fired manually, using a Blowtorch or Gas Hob, or in a Jewellery Kiln. So, whatever level you are at in your Silver Clay Jewellery Making and whatever Silver Clay Tools and Supplies you have, it is easy to fire silver clay at home.
Can you torch fire sterling silver clay?
To depletion gild, first heat the sterling silver with a torch or in a kiln until it turns a dark charcoal gray. When the added silver clay is completely dry, fire at no more than 1200°F / 677°C for 30 minutes.
What is the difference between PMC and Art clay?
Yes, all three versions yield the same metal, 100% silver. The difference is not in the ingredients but in the shape of the particles. Original PMC is made with flake‑like particles that allow room for the binder, which gives the material its workability. PMC+ is made with a particle with more neatly defined edges.
Why does precious clay shrink?
Due to differences in the binder and size and type of metal particles, different metal clays will shrink at different rates. You can calculate the finished size of a metal clay piece using the correct shrinkage rate for your clay. Be sure to verify the shrinkage rate for your clay before using these calculators.
How do I fire PMC without a kiln?
To fire metal clay without a kiln and with a gas hob, here’s what you have to do: When firing PMC using a gas hob all you’ll need to pick up is a mesh sheet. Make sure the mesh sheet is stable over the hob. Dim the lights and turn the hob on. Switch the hob off.
Can you fire silver clay in microwave kiln?
Many people know that a microwave oven can be used to dry clay quickly when you’re in a pinch. Designed for working primarily with small glass objects or precious metal clay, the microwave kiln is also suitable for firing small clay pieces, from beads and pendants to test tiles or small sculptural objects.
How much is metal clay?
Typical costs: A 20 gram package of silver metal clay runs around $25-$40; 50 gram packages are $65-$75. Gold metal clay runs $230-$280 for 5 grams and $350-$400 for 10 grams. A small hand-crafted solid bead would use about two grams of clay, about $2.50-$4 in silver and $70-$115 in gold metal clay.
How do you use precious metal clay?
In its raw state, metal clay can be shaped, molded or sculpted with simple tools and your hands. File and carve the clay once dry then sand for a nearly perfect finish before firing. During the firing process, the harmless binder burns away and the silver particles sinter (fuse) to form a solid 99.9% pure silver piece.
Can you torch fire PMC Flex?
PMC Flex is the most advanced form of silver clay on the market. Even when dry this clay remains flexible, making it ideal for making rings. The increased flexibility also means it is great for creating thin strips, coils and sculptural pieces. It can be fired with a torch or in a kiln, shrinks approx.
Which metal clay is best?
Precious Metal Clay works best if kiln fired. When fired at 1650° for two hours, this is the strongest fine silver clay available. Well suited for items that will be worn often.
Does precious metal clay shrink?
Out of all the clays reviewed, PMC flex definitely has the longest drying time, so you must ensure it is fully dry before firing – ideally leave it overnight or put it in a dehydrator if you have one. It can be fired using a torch or a kiln, and the shrinkage rate is at approximately 10 – 15%.
Is Precious metal clay toxic?
When fine silver and 22k gold are combined with a non-toxic, organic binder to create metal clay, the resulting material is also non-toxic and safe to use. Some may develop a rash, experience itching, or notice a green discoloration on their skin after contact with these clay bodies.
Can Sea Glass be fired in a kiln?
When fired in the kiln, the clay sinters (bringing the metal particles together with the use of high heat) and bonds with the fine-silver bail uniting the two pieces. Glass can withstand being fired; each type of glass has a different heat tolerance and marrying the metal and the glass can be a little tricky.
