Can cork clay be used if firing with a torch or on the gas hob?

Depends on who you ask.

According to the manufacturer, no.

According to people who have tried it, yes.

Do it with a torch, outside (VERY smoky!), and start out with very small items to learn how to do it.

Make sure the cork clay is completely dry before you cover it with silver in any form, and that the whole lot is completely dry before firing.

I'm actually writing up instructions for torch firing cork clay (well, recommendations) at the moment. They're not finished and I'm travelling until next week, but if you email me then to remind me I can let you know where to find them.

I'd be interested in your recommendations too Petra. I've been put off the cork clay, as I thought it couldn't be torch fired. Would be intersted to see if that's not the case.

Many thanks

Hi

I've fired a lot of cork clay pieces with my blowtorch. The first time was a little bit scary - the holes in the bead I fired meant that the fire came quite fiercely out of the holes!! Definitely recomend doing it outside a couple of times, you do get used to the flames!!

My first few pieces cracked quite badly, so I now have a very strange ritual of taking the heat on and off the piece while the cork is burning to try to ensure that the heat isn't too ferocious, oh and lots of blowing! It does seem to be better but that could just be my imagination!!

I also add any decoration to the piece after I've fired the cork clay away that way any cracks are easier to repair.

Hope this helps!

Rebecca

Thanks for that Rebecca, all advice greatly received.

Have you had a go yet??!!

Rebecca

Not tried it yet.................but watch this space

The only problem with firing pieces with cork clay using a torch is that the pmc and cork clay reach the ultimate temperature at the same time, sometimes this can make the silver crack as the cork clay burns out before the silver has fully bonded, I have made some silver beads using pmc and have found if I fire the beads in my kiln using a ramp program which reaches firing temperature in a controlled (and slow) manner then the binder begins to burn off the pmc and strengthens the pieces before the cork clay burns out,
And they don’t crack

Sorry for rambling But I rarely have a clue what you beaders (and PMC’rs are talking about)

Stuart

I think I was told that the fumes released as the cork burns away are toxic or at least not good to breathe in, hence why a kiln is better, but you can do it outside at a pinch.

thanks for the warning about flames shooting out the holes, I still haven't dared try it yet! It is also interesting to hear about the cracks in the PMC due to the whole temperature thing. Wish i had a kiln.......