McCoy, Jack on tue 12 nov 96
I'd like to build a kiln with common bricks. I realize that they are
not recommended for anything past earthenware firings. But I have
about 2500, solid (not cored), soft red bricks sitting idle in my
backyard.
They're from the 1930-1940 era, if that matters.
Can I line the inside of the kiln with sheet metal and an inexpensive
insulation to coax higher temps without destroying the kiln?
I'm aiming for glazed stoneware, which I believe falls in the cone 5
to cone 6 range.
Thanks,
Jack
Lauren BAll on wed 13 nov 96
McCoy, Jack wrote:
> ---------------------------
> I'd like to build a kiln with common bricks.
> They're from the 1930-1940 era, if that matters.
Jack,
Common red bricks have a life span of about 50 years if they were used
outside. because they are porous they tend to absorb water when it
rains, then during a freeze the water forces minute cracks that will
cause the briks to break down and soften. Even for a low fire kiln you
will experience spalding. If you use them for other construction beware
they do not have the same strenght as new bricks.
Lauren.
Don Sanami on thu 14 nov 96
Jack,we have built small kilns with common red brick. True one cannot
fire over earthernware temperature but that may noit be a
disadvantage...after all, many kilns have been built in the US using
common sandstone blocks despite thew spalling.If your bricks are truly
"soft".not unlike old Spanish bricks which were very soft,indeed this may
also be an advantage although I certainly would not try a kiln larger
than a few cubicx feet. Ap.P Green makes and sells a material they call
""Green Coat". We troweled this on the interior walls of a very large
Ana-gama and found that it stood up well and protected the K-23 brick
beneath. Certainly worth a shot on a small red brick kiln...good luck,
DOn& Isao M.On Tue, 12 Nov 1996, McCoy, Jack wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I'd like to build a kiln with common bricks. I realize that they are
> not recommended for anything past earthenware firings. But I have
> about 2500, solid (not cored), soft red bricks sitting idle in my
> backyard.
> They're from the 1930-1940 era, if that matters.
>
> Can I line the inside of the kiln with sheet metal and an inexpensive
> insulation to coax higher temps without destroying the kiln?
>
> I'm aiming for glazed stoneware, which I believe falls in the cone 5
> to cone 6 range.
>
> Thanks,
> Jack
>
Wendy Hampton on thu 14 nov 96
In my first firing I put a common brick under a pot for support in a raku
firing. The brick came out molten. (Cone 06). I'm not sure they would work
for a kiln.
Wendy from Bainbridge Island WA
Gerry Punt on mon 18 nov 96
Try to find someone in the area that is firing to cone 6, and break
off a piece of one of your red bricks and fire it in a bowl to see if it
becomes glaze or remians brick. should give you some indication. My
personal bets are against you on this one though. good luck.
gerry punt
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