Yudit & Chris on wed 13 aug 97
Greetings,
I think I already formerly introduced myself, but just to be current my
name is Chris and I live in Newport Beach California. Ceramics is my
life.
My question is: recently I decided to lease a studio and start a small
scale production of slip cast and wheel thrown objects to be fired ^06
-^5, my only dilema so far is which electric kiln to buy for my
purposes. Up until now I have fired in the imaginary world of the UC
school system, where energy is free and it doesn't seem to matter if the
bricks deteriorate and the elements fall out of their grooves. That was
then and this is real life. I am very concerned about energy efficiency
and durability of the kiln. Here's what I've come to assume with all the
fact sheets I've read; I've estimated that I need a 10 cubic foot or
larger kiln for my purposes.
1. Aim, Skutt, and Orton do not seem suited to production and frequent
or non stop use. No extra insulation or special features.
2. I seem to be caught between L&L and Cone Art.
3.Cone Art has one inch fibre insulation, floor elements and offers an
oval. It makes sense to insulate but if it's really necessary why do so
few kilns have it?
4. L&L is the most expensive of all but claims to make the most durable
kiln out there, however, no fiber insulation. Particularly what caught
my eye about L&L were the Dyna Glow element holders that claim to
increase energy efficiency, element life and, make element replacement
easy. Does anyone out there have an L&L kiln with Dyna Glow, and are
they as efficient as they say.
If anyone has any information or can defend any of the mentioned brands
it would help me in making my final decision.
Chris
PS: I can elaborate on anything that seems too vague.
Ken Russell on fri 15 aug 97
>>Does anyone out there have an L&L kiln with Dyna Glow, and are
>>they as efficient as they say.
I have two L&L's and 3 Skutts. Love the Skutts. Hate, hate, hate the
L&L's and their stinkin' Dyna Glows. I hate L&L's more than Karl Platt
hates Gherstley Borate. Cheap, expensive pieces of doo-doo. Maybe L&L's
new weird square shaped kilns are better (what the heck did they name those
things? Magellan? Da Vinci? Vasco d'Gama?) but I would bet Platt loves
the latest rendition of GB coming out of Boron before L&L makes a decent
kiln. Now for all you L&L lovers, I mean that L&L's are piles of garbage
in a warm, caring, positive and uplifting way.
There's supposed to be a great kiln out of I think Michigan that several
potters at the Rosen show were raving about. The name, I think is Even
Fire or something like that. Mike Taylor's a dealer for them. Call the
Rosen Group in Baltimore to get Mike's number. He'll hook you up with some
literature. Just stay away from L&L's and their Dyna Glow element
destroying kilns. But remember, I mean that in a happy face, warm and
fuzzy, "for the children" way.
Ken Russell
The Arlington Pottery
gone2pot@iw.net
Peggy Heer on fri 15 aug 97
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 1997 00:07:33 -0700
To:baobab@deltanet.com
From:p4337@connect.ab.ca (Peggy Heer)
Subject:Re: L&L vs. Cone Art vs. Skutt vs. Aim vs. Orton vs....
Hi Chris...GET A CONEART kiln and be happy, happy, happy with your results.
I have a new ,16.5 cu ft ,cone 10 CONEART kiln and have had 3 of the best
glaze firings any potter would love to have or deserve. Requires NO
soaking. Can't say enough good things about this kiln. Get a CONEART kiln.
As Always in Clay Peggy
--------------------------------------------
>2. I seem to be caught between L&L and Cone Art.
Peggy Heer / Heer Pottery E-Mail p4337@connect.ab.ca
52120 Range Road 223
Sherwood Park, AB. Canada T8C 1A7
Phone (403) 922-6270
http://www.ffa.ucalgary.ca/artists/pheer/
Kenneth D Westfall on sat 16 aug 97
Dear Ken
Now that we know you hate L & L Kilns with Dyna Glow element holders,
could you give us some reason for it? I have an L & L kiln that was
already second hand when I bought it, and it's still going strong. I
will also add that the elements are still in place. Unlike most kilns,
it's elements are not snaking out and hanging from the wall from what
used to be grooves in the soft brick.
NOW, if your talking about the stinking buzz, click, click, click
controls, you may have reason to poo poo on an otherwise good product
IMHO! ;-} The junky controls can be replaced to eliminate the annoyance.
This kiln's been around and I can't knock it...plus it was only $100.
Maybe their newer kilns aren't as well made, but I like mine just fine!
Kenneth D. Westfall
Pine Hill Pottery
potter-ken@juno.com
Don't get stuck in the mud pies K&T
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