[TheForge] Jewelry Finishes

[Bruce Freeman]

Ray,

This may be true for the furnace you were using, but I doubt it be a =
universal truism.  I expect that that furnace merely cooled too fast from =
1500 to 900, and the glass would explode if the furnace were allowed to =
cool "natrually."  Setting the thermostat back in stages would have been a =
precaution to prevent too rapid cooling.  The exact setpoints of these =
stages are probably less important. =20

However, setting the thermostat back in stages is a good precaution, if =
there's any doubt about the speed of cooling of the furnace, and the =
maximum speed of cooling of the glass.  Although there's data out there on =
cooling rates, most of us would probably end up winging it, like we do =
with hardening and tempering.  If it works, it works.

Bruce
NJ