Thank you Matt , the medium is still in the experimental , prototype , stage . I hope to do some revolutionary work this year .

Thank you Matt , the medium is still in the experimental , prototype , stage . I hope to do some revolutionary work this year .

Hi Paula , I would love to demonstrations of my medium , just haven't seen any interest in that , heretofore. My interest is in promulgating this art form , not hiding it , and i would be happy to relate what I've learned so far.

Do you have to be a facebook member to see the link? it always ask me to log in.

www Metalrecipes -- heat and beat to the desired shape, repeat as necessary.
warren

Yea you do, but try these links I found on the web.

http://www.leechvideo.com/video/view837176.html
http://lasqueti.ca/colin

Jake

Jake Balcom
Mettle Design
Lincoln, NE

Hello Warren ,
my youtube channel ( colinalexander777) has a Firecolour video or two , but they are only vague introductions to the medium . I would like to post photos directly to the site , but I am not sure how.
I have a question ; I often use a conventional oven to heat my sheets , but find it's inside dimensions limting , do know of any kilns or large ovens that could be used for priming large sheets?

I'm pleasantly surprised at the interest in Firecolour. I wish I was more central to the US to host a personal demonstration - I do plan to do a video demo of my next piece, which I will upload here.
Jake - finding the right thickness , the flatness of the surface being heated, specific torch heads and temperature all play a huge part . So far pure copper affords the broadest spectrum of colours.
A point about details - water can be used as a " resist " , and to contain the "blooming " patinas .
Colin

sorry about the double posts .How expensive is copper in the states now?

can anyone tell me about the temperature ranges of their respective torches , I've yet to use a 'jeweler's torch'.

Colin,

To answer two questions at once:

For a large oven for priming, look at used restaurant equipment places for an old pizza oven. They're available in both gas and electric and are generally about 3' by 5' by 10" high, inside dimensions. Should be just the ticket.

The temperature range of any torch is a function of the fuel used, not the type or size of the torch itself. A propane/air torch will achieve temps of around 2400F, while natural gas (methane)/air will be a couple hundred degrees lower. Oxygen/acetylene will reach temps of around 6300F, oxy/propane will be about 6000F, and I'm not sure of the temps for MAPP/air, oxy/mapp, oxy/propylene, etc. You can Google the various combinations to find the flame temps.

For the work you're doing, I would imagine that sometimes you'll want a large flame of moderate temperature and other times you'll want a smaller torch with a higher, quicker flame. The Smith's "Little Torch", a very small oxy/fuel torch, will produce a flame the size of the eye of a very small needle and up to a flame the size of a very small regular O/A welding tip, depending on the tip you use. For a really large flame pattern of high heat, I use an oxy/propane rosebud. I don't use oxy/acetylene rosebuds for the really big stuff as I would have to manifold several acetylene cylinders to get the draw rate I can get with propane at 50-60 psi. For big flames with lower heat I use ne of my homemade forge burners in open air, running on propane/air.

It takes a wide range of heating tools to do all the jobs that come through my shop, so I have a variety. I would guess that you will amass a fairly wide variety yourself as you continue to explore this.