Successful re-Strawing

[ithacaartist]

Here's how to establish the exact temperature for strawing parts inside your oven or toaster oven. Using a hotter temperature risks taking the color too far by overheating them. Once the color is established, there is no need to quench the parts, because they won't get any hotter than the exact temp. for strawing, which you've set.

I use a small container of sand as a buffer which will take on the oven temp. throughout its mass, which takes 30-45 min. Immersing the parts in question in the sand allows them, in turn, to take on the exact temp.--but no higher--after another 15-30 min.

Since most thermostats for such appliances are not exact, a little trial and error is in order, to establish the setting on the dial. Start out at perhaps 375, temper the buffer sand, then see what color a shined up part turns. The temp. can be increased gradually until perfect results are the outcome. Once the setting is established, make a discreet mark on your oven's dial so you can have the right temp. straight off, next time.