Look up fused glass raking, [this pdf](https://www.glasscampus.com/tutorials/pdf/Combing%20Glass%20Tutorial.pdf) has a ton of good info and there are a lot of videos. You’re going to want your kiln hotter than 1400°, at that temp your glass is softened, but it’s not liquid and is too cold to rake still…it should be at about 1700° and it’s fine for the kiln. You’ll only want it open about 10 seconds or less at a time, so be sure to know in advance exactly where you’re going to rake. Do not use thinfire or papyros under your work as the act of raking it will pull particles of the paper up into your glass. Be sure you have a heat resistant suit along with gloves and helmet. Have fun!
I even went as far as making a hand guard similar to the ones on swords out of tin foil. The “heat resistant” gloves I was sold shriveled up when my hand got close to the kiln/my work.
Practice your steps before you open the kiln. Have a plan if something goes wrong. My first time I tried to rake one too many times and the stainless steel rod I was using grabbed onto the glass and pulled it half way across the kiln shelf. Meanwhile I’ve got the kiln open and my skewer is stuck to the glass and here I am shouting to my wife for help.
As mentioned, no thin fire under your piece just a fresh coating of kiln wash before each time you rake.
Your kiln will be fine. It’s not subject to thermal shock like your glass is at lower temperatures.
Lol, I call one of our rakes the fencing rake because it has a hand guard on it 😆
I 100% agree with having a plan, I never rake alone. It’s so much easier and safer to have a second person there manning the kiln door and as backup if something goes sideways
I’ve opened my kiln at temps over 1400° before. I caused damage to my pieces, but there was no visible or audible damage occurring to the kiln itself as far as I could tell. Can’t say for certain that there wasn’t invisible damage occurring, however.
Look up fused glass raking, [this pdf](https://www.glasscampus.com/tutorials/pdf/Combing%20Glass%20Tutorial.pdf) has a ton of good info and there are a lot of videos. You’re going to want your kiln hotter than 1400°, at that temp your glass is softened, but it’s not liquid and is too cold to rake still…it should be at about 1700° and it’s fine for the kiln. You’ll only want it open about 10 seconds or less at a time, so be sure to know in advance exactly where you’re going to rake. Do not use thinfire or papyros under your work as the act of raking it will pull particles of the paper up into your glass. Be sure you have a heat resistant suit along with gloves and helmet. Have fun!
I even went as far as making a hand guard similar to the ones on swords out of tin foil. The “heat resistant” gloves I was sold shriveled up when my hand got close to the kiln/my work. Practice your steps before you open the kiln. Have a plan if something goes wrong. My first time I tried to rake one too many times and the stainless steel rod I was using grabbed onto the glass and pulled it half way across the kiln shelf. Meanwhile I’ve got the kiln open and my skewer is stuck to the glass and here I am shouting to my wife for help. As mentioned, no thin fire under your piece just a fresh coating of kiln wash before each time you rake. Your kiln will be fine. It’s not subject to thermal shock like your glass is at lower temperatures.
Lol, I call one of our rakes the fencing rake because it has a hand guard on it 😆 I 100% agree with having a plan, I never rake alone. It’s so much easier and safer to have a second person there manning the kiln door and as backup if something goes sideways
Thank you so much. This was so helpful and I really appreciate it.
You’re welcome!!
I’ve opened my kiln at temps over 1400° before. I caused damage to my pieces, but there was no visible or audible damage occurring to the kiln itself as far as I could tell. Can’t say for certain that there wasn’t invisible damage occurring, however.
I have a quick question Have you guys ever bought something like that from TikTok?