When it comes to kilns, it’s safety first! With proper precautions, using an at home kiln can be an extremely safe and rewarding experience. But when temperatures run high, you don’t want to take chances! Kiln safety has three main phases: Installation, Operation, and Kiln Maintenance. In the guide below, we’ll be covering each of […]
When it comes to pottery, low-fire clay (also known as earthenware) is a popular choice. After all, low-fire clay is easy to work with and can be fired in most kilns. However, before getting started, it’s important to understand the firing temperature requirements of low-fire clay. Today, we’ll be sharing a Cone 06 firing schedule […]
Let’s talk heat treat! Whether you’re crafting knives, blades, jewelry, tools, industrial components, or any other metal object, you’ll want those objects to have specific qualities – whether that’s shape, hardness, toughness, flexibility, or even electrical conductivity. That’s where temperature comes into play. This article will teach you the ins and outs of heat treatment […]
Heat treating knives is an integral part of the knifemaking process. After designing the knife, cutting the profile, and adding the bevel, heat treating knives is one of the final stages of knifemaking before finishing the blades and attaching the handle. What Is the Purpose of Heat Treating Knives? Knifemakers expose blades to specific temperatures […]
Owning a kiln is a little bit like owning a car. With mindful operation and a little bit of routine maintenance, your kiln should last for decades! Proper kiln maintenance ensures your kiln remains safe and operational during that time. The good news is that kiln maintenance is much simpler (and less expensive!) than maintaining […]
When it comes to firing ceramics, different types of clays and glazes are rated for different temperatures. A kiln firing chart, also known as a cone firing chart, is a useful tool for understanding the effects of temperature on different types of clays and glazes, as well as determining what firing schedule setpoints should be […]
Have you ever spent hours working on a kiln formed glass art project only to have it shatter when you tried to remove it from your kiln? If you have, then you probably already understand the importance of annealing glass. But failing to anneal your glass doesn’t always result in such dramatic heartbreak. Sometimes your […]
Temperature controllers aren’t just used by artists. While most people associate temperature controllers with fusing glass or firing pottery, they can also be used in a wide array of applications that might surprise you. Today, we’ll be looking at ways to use temperature controllers that go beyond art! Roasting Coffee Amazing coffee requires roasting beans […]
We receive a lot of art submissions from artists who use TAP to power their craft. But some submissions stand out. Art doesn’t always have to stand for a cause – or to raise societal awareness or touch the lives of others. But it’s really cool when it does. These two artists use their artwork […]
Eight hundred years ago, you’d have to leave home at 12 or 13 years old and spend a 7-year apprenticeship to learn the art of bladesmithing. Luckily, today, with the internet and modern heat treat ovens, becoming a bladesmith is a lot more accessible! In fact, there’s nothing to stop you from mastering the art […]