torching in winter

[electrodrummer2001]

hey guys its getting cold were i live....i torch in my carport...its the best place for me right now...will the cold weather cause more cracking

[jethro]

I havent been through a whole winter yet but it was still pretty cold at like 2 am when I started end of winter/early spring.

I had a few tubes crack when put straight into the flame,but as long as you preheat your glass or introduce it slowly into the flame you should be alright.

I just started putting the glass on top of my kiln for a bit before I use it and that seems to work so far.

Also you will need to pay closer attention to keeping the whole piece warm until you finish it.

[somberbear]

often kilnings, preheat in the back of the flame , use smaller diamiter tubes or using standard wall... standard works faster and normaly less shock worthy you can be more agressive with your flame....

peace
rob

[Wierdeer]

your working time is cut in half .

[ech]

When the temp drops I raise the temp in my kiln by 10 to 20 degrees. Thats about he only thing I do different but I'm in a shed so I have walls around me. Would it be possible to put up some tarpolin walls, maybe just something to keep the wind out?

[mistahead]

yes...it will cause more cracking,if your working on multi section peices...but if your making basic prodo it will actually speed up your time quite a bit......thats what i found anyway...though im talking pretty cold weather...you definetly couldnt torch in a carport where i was living last year!!!!!

[HOSS]

hey guys its getting cold were i live....i torch in my carport...its the best place for me right now...will the cold weather cause more cracking


I work in a carport too but got permission from my landlord to put up a temporary wall across the front, maybe you could work out something similar. Some kind of enclosed space is definitely better, even with the fan it'll hold in some of the heat from the torch and kiln. I'm sure the colder it gets the more your working time is cut, it can be a drag with large/complex stuff. I've heard of some blowers up north taking the winters off, like some southern blowers take off for the summer.

[brettodie]

winters no biggy. i live in michigan so it gets cold as balls out. a good infared heater and keeping pieces kilned as you work them and you should be fine just have to be more effiecent when out of the kiln dont check your work out till its done or after its heated back up to temp in the kiln. no lolly gaggin around. im pretty comfortable working till its around 20-25 out then i turn on the heater. ill work with the heater till its around 5-10 then i call it a day. see if your land lord will let you hang some tarps to cut down on the wind and blowing. depending on cost some army surplus places sell canvas tents for cheap that can be made into large tarps. good luck embrace your new mistress and the cold will never matter. peace brett