Trautman TAG 104 LT CHERRY KILN STRIKER 1st QUALITY RODS 20 inch rods

Vintage LT CHERRY (Kiln-Strike Red): (TAG-104-06) This red glass kiln-strikes into a range of colors. Can be reduced. For best results, bring red back up to a high, even heat (transparent) to “reset” the strike (especially if you have any spots from flame striking) before placing in the kiln. Kiln striking is dependent on a relationship between time and temperature: in general, the hotter the faster. But too long and/or too hot can cause livering. Rods come red; they have been pre-struck for color verification at the factory. My photo bead sat in the annealer for 6 hours and was not reduced at all. You can make an entire set of beads with these rods just by varying the time in the annealer.  My sample bead was in the annealer a long time and came out dark.

TO DETERMINE STRIKE TIME FOR YOUR BATCH OF LT CHERRY: Bring empty kiln up to your usual annealing temperature. Make a small bead, then torch it up to high even heat for “reset”, and cool it enough to place in the kiln. After a half-hour or so, check it every ten minutes. When it reaches the color you want, make a note of the time. That’s how long you will want to anneal your Light Cherry beads to achieve the perfect red! We suggest you make your Light Cherry Cherry beads at the end of your working session, and then run the anneal cycle long enough to kiln-strike your red at the same time.