Pat Everson on fri 10 oct 97
Hello All,
Well the arch is great! ! ! And, now we have gone on to pour the refractory
over it. It doesn't actually go over the entire arch, it is poured from both
sides and doesn't meet in the middle. And we have 8 courses of firebrick in
place.
First we had to plan on reserving the space for the mouse holes. We put two
2x4s (long sides) together and put wd40 (dw??? that one always gets
me...hehe) on all sides. We would pour refractory up to the mouse holes,
place the boards to reserve that space, lay another course of firebrick
around the 3 sides, and finish pouring the refractory.
Just in case the arch would decide to spread we used plywood to brace the
whole kiln . We put 2 boards on each long side and two on each end and
screwed all together. While the refractory was being mixed we checked the
front and backfor places where the mix might fall through and braced scraps
of wood to help frame it. The arch and the brick walls framed it on the long
sides. We shoveled the refractory in and used scraps of wood to spread and
poke it where we wanted it until full when we leveled it. We placed the 2x4s
for the mouse holes, added course 9 of firebrick, poured more refractory,
and leveled again. There was a slight chance of a rain sprinkle later (the
weather has been absolutely beautiful for this project) so we covered all
with a plastic dropcloth (no roof yet). And now about the plans.
We are using a book (title next time) by Jack Troy that has plans for the
Phoenix. I don't know if it is the "norm" but they are picture diagrams
only. No Q&A, problems & solutions, troubleshooting, nothing to talk you
through it. Thus, from a class perspective, it is a great opportunity for
problem solving each period.
Our instructor, Ana England is a great one for networking, brainstorming, and
letting the class problem solve. We have been totally involved in the
planning from the beginning. And since this is a first for all of us we have
opted for the majority rules on occasion. So far it has been just the ticket
for success. It is one of the best classes I have ever been in. Spirits are
soaring as everyone has an interest in every aspect of building this kiln.
And, we all want it to last FOREVER.
Thanks to all who have written and expressed their interest. I pass on all
e-mails to the class. And we want to pass along to you an invitation to
visit us and see out new facility and kilns. Our grand opening gala is Oct.
29. Anyone interested can write to me and I will give more info and
directions. "LETS GET TOGETHER!"
Pat
PJEVE2@aol.com
eversonp@nku.edu
Just across the "Big Mac Bridge" from Cincinnati, Ohio.
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