Is it possible to get a full fuse on a small piece (the size of a nickel) in the microwave?
EDIT: I’m looking to make a couple small sphere(ish) pieces and hate to run a larger kiln just to do that.
This earlier post from 2018 (?) seems to suggest it might be possible.
It is certainly possible. How many layers is your piece?
Timing is always a little special, as the kilns and the microwaves age.
Either one or two layers. I want to make eyeballs with a very small pupil.
I’d start with 5 minutes at 70%. That might be enough to fully fuse it right off the bat. I usually check lifting the lid, wearing the BBQ gloves. If it’s already glowing red, I’d stop right there. If one side is more fused than the other, turn the lid a quarter turn, and do… 30 seconds. If it’s not glowing red after the 5 minutes, I wouldn’t do more that 30 seconds (at 100%) at a time. Small pieces heat fast.
Be aware that the paper chars away. You will get a strong smell as it does that. Same thing in the bigger kiln, but we rarely hang out to be there at the point that the paper chars.