[TheForge] Enameling

[Peter Fels and Phoebe Palmer]

At 04:18 AM 6/23/02, you wrote:


The missing information here is that one needs to use  a special enamel 
fired base coat  under the color coat for enameling on iron or steel. Can't 
recall the name of the  iron/steel undercoat  but there are ( were?) 
several competing brands.
  This is especially true for larger areas  or less than gentle handling.
  The rates of expansion for enamels and for each metal are all different. 
Enamels don't stretch well.



>I took the Enameling for Blacksmiths course at John C Campbell Folk School 
>back in March.  First time the course had been offered.  You can enamel on 
>steel, but it's a bit tricky and has limitations ... enamel doesn't like 
>to fuse to bare steel (in fact, most enamelists will tell you it cannot be 
>done).  We did most of it with a torch (propane or MAPP), not a 
>kiln.  With practice, one can achieve excellent results.  Heat control is 
>critical, and the steel must be clean (no scale).  Enameling has 
>interesting possibilities for enhancement or accents on certain pieces of 
>ironwork.  And Thompson is THE source for enamels and enameling supplies.
>
>David Hufford
>Richmond KY
>
>_______________________________________________
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
>theforge mail list group photo site is
>http://www.photoaccess.com
>Login:  blacksmithblacksmith@hotmail.com
>password:  anvil
>___________