How to keep fiber blanket from shredding

[cherylsart]

I got a fiber blanket to put my beads in after I make them (yes, I send my beads out to be batch annealed). Anyway, the blanket is shredding all apart. I wrapped it in duct tape; I know I'll have to be careful not to put a bead on the tape but I think I have it far enough away from the bead area that it won't be a problem. I hope this will stop it from shredding any more. But is there another way to keep the fiber blanket from shredding? I wish I could afford a kiln but $600 is way out of my budget for the foreseeable future.

[Doolollies]

I know some people wrap them in aluminum foil. Might try that.

[DesertDreamer]

A + B = there's a foil tape out there somewhere...It won't melt like duct tape, it's shiny and heat tolerant and I cannot for the life of me remember who carries it. Probably Arrow Springs or Frantz? I have the sides of my kiln's bead doors taped with it, but not the bottom edges.

[ewdb]

how long have you had it? it might be time to replace it? I've had mine about three years (altho not used for the full three) and it's starting to desintegrate as well...

[missbatteries]

I wrapped the bottom half in flashing that I bent about 1/2" lip on, inserted the fiber blanket and crimped the flashing down to hold it in place. I'm also thinking about putting little rubber feet on the bottom so it won't scoot around on the tiles that I have on my table top. The top was a different story because I like to flex the top when I put a bead in so that the ones that are already in there don't get a rush of cool air. I like the foil tape idea. I wonder if it is the same foil tape that is used on duct work in the attic. Any idea?
-elaine

[playswithfire104]

If it is older maybe you need to replace it. I'm not positive but I think breathing in bits of fiber blanket is very toxic.

[menty666]

I wonder if you could use this to make a little pillow case or something.

http://www.waleapparatus.com/catalog.asp?prodid=548626&showprevnext=1

I wind up replacing my fiber once or twice a year, but only because I use it on the floor of my kiln. I usually buy a few pieces at a time though so I have it on hand. Arrow and Delphi occasionally run sales, so I stock up.

[cherylsart]

I've only been using it for a couple of weeks! I think I'll go back to the vermiculite. Neither it nor the blanket is good for the lungs but the vermiculite doesn't get on my skin and irritate like the blanket does. And I can be careful with the vermiculite and stir it outside.

[playswithfire104]

I hear great things about the bubble stuff you use instead of vermiculite. I'm pretty sure Malcon sells it.

[cem]

I use a small piece of fibre blanket to cover my rods on my warmer. It was shedding too, so I used the foil duct tape.

Beware, the foil doesn't melt but adhesive on the foil got very sticky and melted. This only happens when the tape side is turned down facing the warmer.

[GLASSFREEK]

you cant stop it from sheding , its fiber and its not good for you uncoated,And you dont want to coat it for beads.
The suff they call (SAFE) frax shreads alot faster than Kaowool.
Get you a piece of Kaowool and a roll of foil duct tape, put all around the outside and make a handle also on the top piece,this will help it from becomeing so airborn when you use it.
call me for a layaway plan on a kiln :)

Mike

[Wonker]

I built a little wooden box...lined it with aluminum flashing.....painted that liberally with gorilla glue....stuffed it with fiber blanket. The sides sit flush, but the front has a small space between the box top and box bottom to accommodate a mandrel. I've had it for about 4 years, I use it every time I make beads or blow boro and it's just now about time to replace the fiber. I felt better about keeping the fiber glued inside of a box because of the concerns about breathing it. It's worked out well for me, but I think if I were to do it all over again, I'd use vermiculite.

[cherylsart]

thanks for all the info and Mike I may take you up on that layaway offer!

[cgbeads]

Here's what I did. Get a shoe box. Cut one of the long sides out of the bottom, and one of the long sides out of the top. Hinge them together on the opposite side. Now glue your fiber blanket to the top and bottom of the inside, the mandrels will stick out the sides that you have cut off.