Claycuzian@aol.com on sun 23 feb 97
We are looking at various gas kilns to purchase to use in at Southwestern
College. We want something in the 24 cubic foot range. We have two Alpines
(used for many years of good service). But we are not completely satisfied
with the eveness of the reduction of our 20 and 24 cu foot kilns. I have an
Olsen 36 at my studio and have had many years of good service from it with
very good overall firings (red. and temp. and overall look). I have some
concerns about building a kiln for school use, though it would be a great
project.... just what I need, another project. We are looking at the Geil and
have heard some good things about these kilns, any coments? I have not heard
much about Bailey and the shiping to the west coast would probably be
prohibitive. I have heard that Laguna is buliding a kiln, but they have not
sent me a catalogue after several requests. Any feedback on these or other
kiln of this size would be appreciated. Thank you, David Cuzick in San
Diego, California
part-time teacher,
full-time potter
claycuzian@aol.com
Donna L. Fenner on mon 24 feb 97
David: Building a new kiln is indeed a good project for your class. I will
be beginning one in March with my instructor for which I have drawn the
plans. We will be using an angle iron frame and a steel base with fire and
insulation brick as the wall. I would highly recommend this project as a
way of totally involving your students in the program. I know that for me
it has involved many hours of reading and in addition has inspired me to
repair one of the older gas Alpines that we have at school. I will say that
my instructor, Setsuya Kotani, has built several kilns and is well versed in
the methods of construction. However, he refuses to hand out information to
us for free and insists that we read and actually participate in order to
gain the knowledge we might need to one day build our own.
Donna L. Fenner
Creative Ceramics
Greensboro, NC
BFA student at UNCG
At 10:23 AM 2/23/97 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>We are looking at various gas kilns to purchase to use in at Southwestern
>College. We want something in the 24 cubic foot range. We have two Alpines
>(used for many years of good service). But we are not completely satisfied
>with the eveness of the reduction of our 20 and 24 cu foot kilns. I have an
>Olsen 36 at my studio and have had many years of good service from it with
>very good overall firings (red. and temp. and overall look). I have some
>concerns about building a kiln for school use, though it would be a great
>project.... just what I need, another project. We are looking at the Geil and
>have heard some good things about these kilns, any coments? I have not heard
>much about Bailey and the shiping to the west coast would probably be
>prohibitive. I have heard that Laguna is buliding a kiln, but they have not
>sent me a catalogue after several requests. Any feedback on these or other
>kiln of this size would be appreciated. Thank you, David Cuzick in San
>Diego, California
> part-time teacher,
>full-time potter
> claycuzian@aol.com
>
David Woodin Set Clayart digest on mon 24 feb 97
I have a Bailey 24cuft kiln in Reno NV and found that it cost less then the
Geil even with the shipping. Bailey was very good about telling me exactly
what I would need when the kiln arrived. I like the power burners and have
had great success with the Bailey.
Lisa or Ginny on mon 24 feb 97
Claycuzian@aol.com wrote: I have some concerns about building a kiln
for school use, though it would be a great project....
In our university kiln house we (currently) have 4 kilns and will be
building another one starting in March. 2 of the kilns in operation at
this time were built at the U. I have only just begun to fire the gas
kilns, but I am already prejudiced in favor of the homemade kilns because
the peep holes are big enough to see the cone packs!!!
--
Lisa Skeen
Living Tree Pottery
Greensboro, NC
YesIAmRU?
Email: lpskeen@nr.infi.net
Ric Swenson on tue 25 feb 97
To compare kilns. I speak from experience since 1968, when I fired an
Alpine for the first time....in the last 30 years, I have fired a LOT of
different kilns.....and....
Pound for pound and dollar for dollar, my opinion is that an Olsen Kiln is
a better investment and a better learning tool than any other gas fired
kiln. Maybe you can even get Fred to come and help you build it....he is a
wealth of information on kilns and on Japanese and wood firing techniques.
I speak from experience of long ago and far away, but you can call Fred and
talk to him about the choices. Tell him I said hello.( from his Homer, Ak
fishing buddy) He's reachable through an 800 number I believe. CM has his
ad in every issue since about 1970!
Fred Olsen doesn't pay me for this advertising...(although its a good idea
in my humble opinion!)
Keep potting!
Ric Swenson, Bennington Vermont ... where the snow flies again today.
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