Experiments in the Kiln – Kaiser Lee Board

I think in one of my other posts I already mentioned that I am a sucker for a gadget or new item. Have you tried the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser? I love that thing! Don’t know how the heck it works, but if you have a tub with those built in slip proof ovals on the bottom or a textured refrigerator handle, you have to have get these. But that’s not what I wanted to talk about today. Today I want to tell you about my experience with the Kaiser Lee Board.

The Kaiser Lee Board is a fiber board that can be cut to make custom shaped molds for casting and slumping and used as a kiln shelf. I bought a piece of this board when I got my first baby kiln. Two kilns later, and I am just now beginning to experiment with it.

This material cuts easily, but it is messy. You have to wear a mask and gloves! You have to wear a mask and gloves! No I didn’t forget to delete the second sentence. It is that important. The dust from this material is not something you want to inhale and can be irritating to your skin. To minimize sending the dust into the workshop, I work over spread out newspaper that I can gently fold up and throw out.

Fused Glass Recycled CrossFirst, I cut a few pieces to make a business card mold. Unfortunately, the piece I had was too thin, and two pieces together was too thick. It comes in different thicknesses – something to consider before you purchase. I tried a small piece under the neck of a wine bottle to make a handle. The board stuck to my wine bottle and left a very rough surface on the glass. Not the look I was going for. You do have to use primer, and if you want a smooth surface, you will have to use kiln shelf paper on top of the board. Something else I tried was to cut pieces that I used to damn a cross shape for my small kiln. With shelf primer on the board pieces, the result was much better.

My experiments with the Kaiser Lee Board have been pretty limited. I can see how this product has potential; especially if you want to create custom shaped casting molds. But my advice would be to either take a class from your local glass shop or talk to someone who has used it before you buy. A 12” x 12” by 1” piece of this material cost $38.50. I am now rethinking how I might use this, and actually use the texture to my advantage. I’ll give it a try again, but I definitely need some more input from people who have used it. If you’ve used this product, please leave a comment and let me know how you work with it.

6 thoughts on “Experiments in the Kiln – Kaiser Lee Board

  1. Connie says:

    I have used it a few times. I have made a business card holder, but then I purchased the kit and it came with a much thicker piece of the board.

    I have also used it to create beautiful pieces with legs. This was by following the instructions in Petra’s new book.

    It is messy and you do need to wear a mask. I usually work on a piece of newspaper so that clean up is a lot easier.

  2. Karen says:

    I know this is an older entry, I was wondering if you had used the kiser lee board any more. I have carved out a design that I slumped into. But I have limited fusing experience, I actually do lamp work glass. I have had request for some large necklace pieces. They keep cracking with the torch so I am thinking about using kisser lee. But I’m trying to see what others have done and learned.

    • Margot says:

      Karen, I am sorry to say that I haven’t done much else with the Kaiser Lee board. How were you thinking about using the board for your large necklace pieces? Where you thinking of making a casting?

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