Bob Masta on thu 24 feb 05
Greetings, gurus:
I want to try my hand at making beads and buttons, as well as
some custom stilts, and I'm not sure what type of wire to get.
I assumed good old nichrome, but after searching a number
of pottery suppliers I have noticed some are selling a "high
temperature wire" that claims "no nickel - cone 5". That's
not good enough... I want at least cone 6, plus a healthy
safety margin if possible.
So is that "no nickel" stuff just to save money, or is there
some reason to avoid nickel wire? (Strange reactions with
glazes?)
My main concern is strength at temperature. But of course
I can't find any data on that. My thought is that it's probably a
choice between nichrome and some grade of stainless... but
which grade?
Many thanks!
Bob Masta
potsATdaqartaDOTcom
J Lutz on thu 24 feb 05
Bob,
I too have been looking for wire to use on buttons and beads. I used
nichrome wire in the past to hang beads from when firing and it turns color
and gets a green rust like finish on it that stains the clay (I use white
clay) that doesn't come off. I haven't tried using kiln wash on it yet to
see it that works.
Another bead maker uses fine nichrome wire to embed into her beads. I just
got some fine/small nichrome wire but the package doesn't state the size.
It's Pro Hardware SIGSH135.
I also got some "High Temp Stamen Wire" 24 gauge .20 dia. that is heavier
than the Pro Hardware and the package says it's for kiln firings, porcelain
jewelry etc. It's from Kemper Tools.
I haven't had time to test them yet but am hoping one of them works and
doesn't discolor.
I'd sure be interested to learn if you find something else that works. It's
very time consuming to dremel holes in greenware!
BTW I tried to send this to your address directly and it was return as
being over your limit.
Jean Lutz
Prescott, AZ
At 08:58 AM 2/24/2005, you wrote:
>I want to try my hand at making beads and buttons, as well as some custom
>stilts, and I'm not sure what type of wire to get. I assumed good old
>nichrome, but after searching a number
>of pottery suppliers I have noticed some are selling a "high temperature
>wire" that claims "no nickel - cone 5". That's not good enough... I want
>at least cone 6, plus a healthy safety margin if possible.
>Bob Masta
Michael Wendt on thu 24 feb 05
Bob,
I have successfully used Kanthal A-1 12 gauge wire for beads.
Be sure to keep the length short so that they are not subjected to a large
bending moment while hot as even Kanthal will sag if heavily loaded.
The actual racks are made from hand built risers with holes in them for the
rods to pass through.
Regards,
Michael Wendt
Wendt Pottery
2729 Clearwater Ave
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
USA
wendtpot@lewiston.com
www.wendtpottery.com
Bob wrote:
My main concern is strength at temperature. But of course
I can't find any data on that. My thought is that it's probably a
choice between nichrome and some grade of stainless... but
which grade?
Many thanks!
Bob Masta
Eva Gallagher on fri 25 feb 05
Hi Bob,
I have used stainless steel trolling wire from my husband's fishing
reel.(Not sure what nichrome wire is so perhaps it is the same). However
just tried it at 08 for Egyptian paste. I was looking for a very fine
diameter wire - however when it's that thin it tends to cut into the clay
when hanging. It holds up OK - just stretches a a bit but not sure about
higher temps - but I would perhaps twist it into a double strand. Try it if
you have some handy - here fishing is big so everyone has some around.
Eva
Deep River, Ontario
.
----- Original Message -----
From: "J Lutz"
To:
Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2005 4:26 PM
Subject: Re: High temperature wire
> Bob,
> I too have been looking for wire to use on buttons and beads. I used
> nichrome wire in the past to hang beads from when firing and it turns
> color
> and gets a green rust like finish on it that stains the clay (I use white
> clay) that doesn't come off. I haven't tried using kiln wash on it yet to
> see it that works.
> Another bead maker uses fine nichrome wire to embed into her beads. I just
> got some fine/small nichrome wire but the package doesn't state the size.
> It's Pro Hardware SIGSH135.
> I also got some "High Temp Stamen Wire" 24 gauge .20 dia. that is heavier
> than the Pro Hardware and the package says it's for kiln firings,
> porcelain
> jewelry etc. It's from Kemper Tools.
> I haven't had time to test them yet but am hoping one of them works and
> doesn't discolor.
>
> I'd sure be interested to learn if you find something else that works.
> It's
> very time consuming to dremel holes in greenware!
> BTW I tried to send this to your address directly and it was return as
> being over your limit.
> Jean Lutz
> Prescott, AZ
>
> At 08:58 AM 2/24/2005, you wrote:
>>I want to try my hand at making beads and buttons, as well as some custom
>>stilts, and I'm not sure what type of wire to get. I assumed good old
>>nichrome, but after searching a number
>>of pottery suppliers I have noticed some are selling a "high temperature
>>wire" that claims "no nickel - cone 5". That's not good enough... I want
>>at least cone 6, plus a healthy safety margin if possible.
>>Bob Masta
>
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Kim Hohlmayer on sat 26 feb 05
If you try to find Kanthal wire instead of the standard Ni-Chrome
high-temp wire, you will find that it is less likely to discolor after
firing. Not sure where you're located but you should be able to ask
your supplier whether their high temp is Ni-Chrome or Kanthal and
choose accordingly. (not sure but I think Kemper uses Kanthal.)
Once fired, I know people who either sand their embedded hangers or
paint them with enamels after firing as most will oxidize to some
extent at higher temps.
--
Kim Hohlmayer - Stilhaven Studio
Handcrafted Ceramic Beads, Jewelry and Buttons
Pleasant Township, OH
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