Opps Stuck

Got a problem, its stuck, anyone got any ideas other than taking a hammer to it?  Would like to save the mould if possible.

Brand new ceramic slumper/draper covered with half a dozen layers of kiln wash which were thoroughly dried in the kiln before using.

This is the 2nd slump as I was not happy with the first.

First slump - used firepaper between the glass and the mould and it released fine but I didn't like the finish which I am assuming the firepaper left on the glass, sort of hazy.  Used the firing schedule that came with the mould.


Apologies for the disgusting finger nail, been peeling carrots for the freezer.




Stuck by Ashlynn Jewellery, on Flickr

Oh dear! I broke two brand new casting moulds for small beads when the centre of the beads would not release and it has definitely discouraged me from using anything like that again, but just slumping should be fine with the kiln wash. I've used a very similar shape to slump candle/tealight holders, both stainless steel and an old flowerpot (not the plastic sort ). It was quite tricky to get the glass off the flowerpot when it was slumped for too long and a lot of glass was touching the sides of the pot, but as I wasn't too worried about breaking the pot, I ended up using quite a bit of force and both glass and pot survived!
You could try twisting from side to side to see whether using a lateral force is more likely to release the glass, but there is always the likelihood of breakage.
I've also seen another trick where the stuck item & mould are put upside-down into the kiln with something supporting the mould so that it is slightly off the shelf and then heating until the glass drops off. Not quite sure how you'd do that, but it may give you some ideas.

Actually, looking again - is that mould flat? I just assumed it was round.

It's a round tapered mould, Elaine, thanks for your thoughts, agree that kiln wash should have been enough for such a simple slump.

Have got my stronger hubby to twist laterally to no avail.  I have tried "sawing" between the two surfaces,in the hope of removing a sliver of kiln wash, with thin wire and even dental floss, both "saws" broke.

The suspension idea sounds good but can't think how to achieve it, there's not a lot room in an SC2 is there.

Think my only option is to re-slump upside down and hope that the sides fall outwards - lesson learnt.....use fire paper as well.  

Shame about your bead casting, bet they would have looked stunning.

Good luck Lynne. Let us know how you get on. You could try "sawing" with a thin knife blade - no guarantee that the mould will survive though. I can really recommend old clay flowerpots - they're cheap enough that you don't mind breaking one or two, but you do have to ensure that everything is absolutely dry (pot and kiln wash) before slumping onto them.

Tah Dah .............Rescued

No damage to the mould, glass wonky and cloudy.  Now shall I push it a bit more and re-fire - got to really haven't I........lol

Will certainly give the flower pots a go Elaine.  I suppose to be on the safe side an initial run up in the kiln to about 260c which I use to make sure the kiln wash is dry will suffice for the pot as well.

Thanks again for your thoughts Elaine.






Rescued by Ashlynn Jewellery, on Flickr

Hurrah, glad you got it apart Lynne!
Lisa x

Looks lovely, Lynne. Certainly well worth all the grief.

Thanks ladies,

Re-slumped it again over the vase mould with fire paper and its released fine.    A good learning curve, and I have a sweet little tea light holder or deep dish.

Well done for persevering Lynne, all's well that end's well!
Lisa x

Glad to hear that it turned out ok. I'm always learning through mistakes - and sometimes don't even repeat the mistakes