[Hobby Potter]

I'd like to create things using metal hangers, handles, attachments...what have you. Since I fire to cone 6, what type of metal wiring should I use? Thanks in advance!

[neilestrick]

Element wire, available from any kiln manufacturer. Ideally, try to figure out a way to attach the metal pieces after firing. The firing will tend to discolor the wire and make it not-so smooth and shiny. Not very comfortable to touch, and more brittle.

[perkolator]

high-temp Ni-Chrome wire is your friend here. same stuff used for most elements.

we've tried using many different types of metal, but really....none of them work if you need it to be functional, even Ni-Chrome. metal almost always loses its structural integrity in the kiln and becomes brittle, so usually it's an aesthetic thing only.

I always recommend people engineer a clever way to integrate metal post-firing if they need it to be functional. No shame in using good epoxy to permanently fix metal to your ceramics.

[westoreshop]

Any helpful hints on how to adjust it? (I am very new to this) ~ Joy
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[catpaws]

I haven't used wire for anything other than decorative purposes. I like using copper wire and just laying it over or around the piece, it then melts and often leaves a greenish shadow either side of where the wire was. I've attached a pic of one I made ages ago. white earthenware, clear glaze with pieces of copper wire bent over the rim which then melted down the inside and outside of the pot. fired to 1060c

Attached File(s)

•  copper wire on earthenware.JPG (5.05MB)
  Number of downloads: 44

[Fuad]

that's really lovely - do u have any idea how other metals (brass, bronze etc) would react.. this would make very cool effects in my jewelry design.

in regards to the OP - the only time i've ever fired metal in pieces i used nichrome wire to create bails/jumprings in order to be functional parts of the jewelry. it didn't fire very nicely and i ended up having to paint over them with enamel paint. also, i tried altering the shape slightly and it was very brittle and broke easily.

catpaws, on 17 May 2012 - 11:44 AM, said:

I haven't used wire for anything other than decorative purposes. I like using copper wire and just laying it over or around the piece, it then melts and often leaves a greenish shadow either side of where the wire was. I've attached a pic of one I made ages ago. white earthenware, clear glaze with pieces of copper wire bent over the rim which then melted down the inside and outside of the pot. fired to 1060c

[trina]

HI there,

I use iron in some of my pieces...these have all been fired in place at 1000C. T  fire1 copy.jpg (184.88K)
Number of downloads: 24

[catpaws]

Fuad, on 17 May 2012 - 08:53 PM, said:

that's really lovely - do u have any idea how other metals (brass, bronze etc) would react.. this would make very cool effects in my jewelry design.

in regards to the OP - the only time i've ever fired metal in pieces i used nichrome wire to create bails/jumprings in order to be functional parts of the jewelry. it didn't fire very nicely and i ended up having to paint over them with enamel paint. also, i tried altering the shape slightly and it was very brittle and broke easily.

catpaws, on 17 May 2012 - 11:44 AM, said:

I haven't used wire for anything other than decorative purposes. I like using copper wire and just laying it over or around the piece, it then melts and often leaves a greenish shadow either side of where the wire was. I've attached a pic of one I made ages ago. white earthenware, clear glaze with pieces of copper wire bent over the rim which then melted down the inside and outside of the pot. fired to 1060c

No I haven't used any other metals. I only used copper by accident as my husband was wiring something or other and I saw a piece and just wondered what would happen if I stuck it on a pot!! just find a few bits and do test pieces is my advice. Be aware though that it does run a lot!! Also it can eat into the clay body if its a particularly thick bit of wire but on the other hand a thick piece wont completely melt and i've made pieces where i've simply wrapped a piece of wire around a pot and finished it off with a twist and the wire twist remains (albeit blackened) but leaving a nice green "blush" on eiter side of the wire.

[Amy Waller]

Just wanted to share a good source for wire: the seller hotkombo on ebay has a wide variety of wire and according to his/her ebay store can get other wire on request. Ebay listings include the maximum firing temperature. For example, I just ordered 26 gauge (.4 mm) wire that can be fired up to 1300 C (2370 F). You can see the listing for this wire here.

I have no connection with this seller other than as a satisfied customer - I've ordered several times in the past few years and have always received my orders in a week or so.

Good luck!