John Baymore on sun 11 may 97
Speaking of the Fyrite.............
Way, way, way back there in time......... I was involved with Cutter /
Eagle as a technical consultant. (Am I really THAT old? ) I was hired
to write the "manual" and develop the charts that they supplied with the
Fyrite analyzer. I know that tool VERY well, as one of the earliest to use
them.
For the time period we were talking about when it came into widespread
studio use, it was a good tool. In a sense it still is a good tool if all
you need is a lower tech solution, reduced accuracy over an electronic
unit, and don't mind the few minutes for the sampling procedure. It gives
reasonably accurate readings ...... certainly accurate enough for most
studio potter's applications. However......... time has marched on!
The wet chemical method, while still an option, has been replaced by
electronic means. There is no getting around the fact that simply pushing
a button and reading a value on a digital display is a very convenient
procedure. And the accuracy of the units like the AIC is better than the
wet method, with variables like the unit's liquid temperature and the
possibilities of mis-reading the miniscus of the liquid column if the unit
was not EXACTLY level.
Like any single "probe" unit, the Fyrite only measures the atmosphere in
the exact location of the sampling probe. (THAT hasn't changed with the
passage of time ). This limitation will be the same with a single
sensor oxyprobe. You are still dependant on good kiln circulation, and in
selecting thje probe location as a good indicator of general chamber
conditions. That will be no different for a Fyrite or an AIC (or Axner, or
whatever). Multiple sensor locations can be done on the electronic units
(for $$$), or you can stick the sampling tube of the Fyrite in any availble
hole in the kiln (drill a bunch of small ones for sampling).
If you fire to cone 9-10 and don't already own a good pyrometer
(platnium/platinium-rhodium theremocouple), you are also getting a
reasonably accurate pyrometer for the same investment. Cheap
chromel/alumel thermocouples are usless for serious work at 9-10 (see
archives for LONG discussion I posted about this about 1-2 years ago).
Payback on the investment will be faster with the far less expensive Fyrite
even if it is slightly less accurate. Payback on the oxyprobe will be
pretty quick though, it you fire a large kiln frequently. Fuel savings
alone will make the tool worth it. Not to mention the higher percentage of
"firsts" in your production. Looking at fuel costs alone, if you are
firing a kiln that takes about $70.00 per firing of fuel, and only gain a
10% reduction in fuel usage...... it'll pay for itself in only about 100
firings. And for most people, fuel savings will be MUCH greater than 10%.
If you have a small kiln and fire infrequently, then I'd think a little
more about the Fyrite. It'll probably give you what you want (or need) and
be more realistic as to ROI.
That being said, my general recommendation would still be to get the
electronic unit unless you simply can't come justify the money. They work
slick and are very convenient. It will serve you well.
Best,
...........................john
John Baymore
River Bend Pottery
22 Riverbend Way
Wilton, NH 03086 USA
603-654-2752
JBaymore@Compuserve.com
76506.3102@Compuserve.com
| |
|
