Keith Chervenak on tue 30 jul 96
Hi All,
I built my raku kiln this spring following Steve Branfman's advice
in his book "Raku: A Practical Approach". Great book, easy to understand
and follow. Also, buying burners from Marc Ward made it easy to get the
right size and type to meet my needs, he knows his stuff. My kiln fires
like a charm and at my raku party two weeks ago all were pleased with their
results- even the pots that have were sitting glazed in someones basement
for the past eleven years turned out great!
I recommend building your own kiln both for the experience and
understanding gained and also to get exactly what fits your needs.
Also, for Elaine Walters I believe, concerning the reducing atmosphere of
her raku kiln- you might try moving the burners about 2" outside the kiln
wall in order allow sufficient air to the flame. This should help to even
out the temperature as well.
Good Luck,
Keith
Craig Dunn Clark on fri 10 nov 00
The only problem that you might encounter while firing your kiln on the
beach that you wouldn't neccessarily run into in the city is high wind and
no shelter. The first couple of times that you fire I suggest that you chose
as calm a day as possible.
When lining your kiln make certain that you are constantly aware of the
fact that the ceramic blanket is both a skin and repiratory irritant. Wear
long sleeve pants, shirt, socks, shoes, gloves and a respirator (with the
proper filters) when working with the blanket! After lining the kiln you
might consider the application of a rigidizer, it will help to keep the
blanket in tack longer, though its not that important.
Additionally, I don't know how many layers of blanket that you plan on
using but you might consider spending the extra money to buy a higher
temperature (2700 F) blanket for the hot face. It will not only last longer
but will give you the additional capabiltiy of using your portable raku kiln
as a high fire kiln capable of going to cone 10. The only technical problem
that you may encounter if you choose to fire to the higher tempterature is
possible "freeze out" of your propane tanks during the firing. Remember, you
need to have a greater volume of gas available as you fire higher. This can
easily be accomplished by manifolding two or three tanks together.
-----Original Message-----
From: tom michelson
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Date: Friday, November 10, 2000 4:18 PM
Subject: raku kiln building
>Hi,
>
>I've been a long-time lurker on this list and this is my first post.
>
>Now, on to my question. I have decided to build a raku kiln for myself,
but
>I really have no place to fire it. I have purchased Steve Banfmann's book
>on raku and there is a great design for a relatively inexpensive raku kiln
>using ceramic fiber and wire mesh. I have ordered the fiber and a burner
>system from ward burners, and have constructed the shape from the wire
mesh,
>so this weekend will be spent constructing the kiln.
>
>My questions are:
>1. Does anybody on the list have any hints or potential problems to look
out
>for when constructing this sort of kiln? (it's my first)
>2. Since I have no place at home to fire the kiln (I live in a flat in a
>city), I was planning on making the kiln somewhat portable and taking it
out
>to a deserted spot on the beach and try to fire it there. Are there any
>problems that you might foresee with firing on the beach? (I know that
>there might be legal ramifications, if I don't get a permit to fire on the
>beach, but I'm asking for advice on a more technical level.)
>
>Thanks in advance for any help that you can give me.
>
>Best regards
>tom m
>_________________________________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.
>
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___
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>
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>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
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melpots@pclink.com.
>
tom michelson on fri 10 nov 00
Hi,
I've been a long-time lurker on this list and this is my first post.
Now, on to my question. I have decided to build a raku kiln for myself, but
I really have no place to fire it. I have purchased Steve Banfmann's book
on raku and there is a great design for a relatively inexpensive raku kiln
using ceramic fiber and wire mesh. I have ordered the fiber and a burner
system from ward burners, and have constructed the shape from the wire mesh,
so this weekend will be spent constructing the kiln.
My questions are:
1. Does anybody on the list have any hints or potential problems to look out
for when constructing this sort of kiln? (it's my first)
2. Since I have no place at home to fire the kiln (I live in a flat in a
city), I was planning on making the kiln somewhat portable and taking it out
to a deserted spot on the beach and try to fire it there. Are there any
problems that you might foresee with firing on the beach? (I know that
there might be legal ramifications, if I don't get a permit to fire on the
beach, but I'm asking for advice on a more technical level.)
Thanks in advance for any help that you can give me.
Best regards
tom m
_________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.
Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at
http://profiles.msn.com.
Marcia Selsor on fri 10 nov 00
Dear Tom,
I built a little portable raku kiln using "hardware fabric" (aluminum)
and 2"fiber.
It is 2' high plus four courses of brick (10") by 30" diameter od. I put
handles on both the lid and the cylinder. Also sprayed ITC inside and
rigidizer outside. on the fiber.We were able to lift the entire fiber
part of the kiln for large pieces.
I had Marc Ward make a tandem system using three tanks for two burners
rather than two tanks.
I fired pieces all day in 20-30 minute intervals with no freezing tanks
and still had half the gas leftover. That was at last summers' "Pot
Roast" in Miles City where Sue Tirrel, their resident artist and mark
Browning, the director, supervised a tipi kiln burning also. I was their
guest artist and gave a slide show as well.
Lots of fun. I am finishing a big raku kiln on a hoist that is 36" x
31.5" x 30" same type of construction but with a welded frame.
I don't think you should have any trouble as long as you won't get into
trouble for no permit.
I was busted for burning cow dung once and had to get a permit for the
next dung firing. I have the permit in a scrap book!
Marci.
tom michelson wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I've been a long-time lurker on this list and this is my first post.
>
> Now, on to my question. I have decided to build a raku kiln for myself, but
> I really have no place to fire it. I have purchased Steve Banfmann's book
> on raku and there is a great design for a relatively inexpensive raku kiln
> using ceramic fiber and wire mesh. I have ordered the fiber and a burner
> system from ward burners, and have constructed the shape from the wire mesh,
> so this weekend will be spent constructing the kiln.
>
> My questions are:
> 1. Does anybody on the list have any hints or potential problems to look out
> for when constructing this sort of kiln? (it's my first)
> 2. Since I have no place at home to fire the kiln (I live in a flat in a
> city), I was planning on making the kiln somewhat portable and taking it out
> to a deserted spot on the beach and try to fire it there. Are there any
> problems that you might foresee with firing on the beach? (I know that
> there might be legal ramifications, if I don't get a permit to fire on the
> beach, but I'm asking for advice on a more technical level.)
>
> Thanks in advance for any help that you can give me.
>
> Best regards
> tom m
> _________________________________________________________________________
> Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.
>
> Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at
> http://profiles.msn.com.
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
--
Marcia Selsor
selsor@imt.net
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls/spain99.html
http://www.silverhawk.com/ex99/selsor/welcome.html
Helllll@AOL.COM on sat 11 nov 00
In a message dated 11/10/00 11:31:45 PM !!!First Boot!!!, wankgst@HOTMAIL.COM
writes:
> My questions are:
> 1. Does anybody on the list have any hints or potential problems to look
out
> for when constructing this sort of kiln? (it's my first)
Remember that the fiber will shrink a bit after a few firings so over lap
accordingly....
If your kiln design calls for a fiber floor I recommend getting a kiln shelf
the size of the floor or almost as big as the floor to lay on top of the
fiber floor ... glaze drips and such will eat right through the fiber if they
fall on it...
Pete
okc.ok.usa.
Norman van der Sluys on sat 11 nov 00
tom michelson wrote:
>
> 1. Does anybody on the list have any hints or potential problems to look out
> for when constructing this sort of kiln? (it's my first)
Make sure you overlap the fiber to allow for shrinkage that will occur when it is
fired.
>
> 2. Since I have no place at home to fire the kiln (I live in a flat in a
> city), I was planning on making the kiln somewhat portable and taking it out
> to a deserted spot on the beach and try to fire it there. Are there any
> problems that you might foresee with firing on the beach? (I know that
> there might be legal ramifications, if I don't get a permit to fire on the
> beach, but I'm asking for advice on a more technical level.)
A beach seems to be a good place to fire a small kiln - little vegetation to catch
on fire, water at close proximity. Lugging the tank might prove a chore if you have
a long walk from the parking lot. Beware the wind!
--
Norman van der Sluys
by the shore of Lake Michigan
Richard Jeffery on sat 11 nov 00
Tom
Kiln site first - it needs to be level and stable, and the
strength/direction of wind will be a factor. You also need to think about
transporting a heavy propane tank, and a reduction container ( I use old
army ammunition boxes) and bags of sawdust (seaweed?), etc - oh, and
something to fire... You might want to think about some sort of portable
windbreak on a beach?
As to building light weight kilns - Steve Mills would normally pop up about
now with a link to his site - so in his absence, try this:
http://www.bathpotters.demon.co.uk
Steve's design uses an old oil drum rather than mesh, but the principle is
the same. I helped a local potter build one which she now takes on the
train to her workshop in the New Forest in Hampshire on a small wheeled
trolley - so anything is possible! In fact the idea of raku on the beach is
very appealing... food for thought, if it ever stops raining here.
Richard
Bournemouth UK
www.TheEleventhHour.co.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of tom michelson
Sent: 10 November 2000 20:11
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: raku kiln building
Hi,
I've been a long-time lurker on this list and this is my first post.
Now, on to my question. I have decided to build a raku kiln for myself, but
I really have no place to fire it. I have purchased Steve Banfmann's book
on raku and there is a great design for a relatively inexpensive raku kiln
using ceramic fiber and wire mesh. I have ordered the fiber and a burner
system from ward burners, and have constructed the shape from the wire mesh,
so this weekend will be spent constructing the kiln.
My questions are:
1. Does anybody on the list have any hints or potential problems to look out
for when constructing this sort of kiln? (it's my first)
2. Since I have no place at home to fire the kiln (I live in a flat in a
city), I was planning on making the kiln somewhat portable and taking it out
to a deserted spot on the beach and try to fire it there. Are there any
problems that you might foresee with firing on the beach? (I know that
there might be legal ramifications, if I don't get a permit to fire on the
beach, but I'm asking for advice on a more technical level.)
Thanks in advance for any help that you can give me.
Best regards
tom m
_________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.
Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at
http://profiles.msn.com.
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Richard Jeffery on sat 11 nov 00
that's reminded me of something else -
a friend raku fires at craft shows with a lightweight mesh and fibre top
hat kiln - he has some old kiln bricks to stand the top on when he empties
the kiln - saves setting fire to the grass....
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of Helllll@AOL.COM
Sent: 11 November 2000 05:56
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: raku kiln building
In a message dated 11/10/00 11:31:45 PM !!!First Boot!!!,
wankgst@HOTMAIL.COM
writes:
> My questions are:
> 1. Does anybody on the list have any hints or potential problems to look
out
> for when constructing this sort of kiln? (it's my first)
Remember that the fiber will shrink a bit after a few firings so over lap
accordingly....
If your kiln design calls for a fiber floor I recommend getting a kiln shelf
the size of the floor or almost as big as the floor to lay on top of the
fiber floor ... glaze drips and such will eat right through the fiber if
they
fall on it...
Pete
okc.ok.usa.
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Ababi Sharon on sat 11 nov 00
Must spray it with a material called Isolater, if I remember correctly to
avoid breathing the alumina.
Ababi
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Jeffery"
To:
Sent: Saturday, November 11, 2000 2:23 PM
Subject: Re: raku kiln building
> Tom
>
> Kiln site first - it needs to be level and stable, and the
> strength/direction of wind will be a factor. You also need to think about
> transporting a heavy propane tank, and a reduction container ( I use old
> army ammunition boxes) and bags of sawdust (seaweed?), etc - oh, and
> something to fire... You might want to think about some sort of portable
> windbreak on a beach?
>
> As to building light weight kilns - Steve Mills would normally pop up
about
> now with a link to his site - so in his absence, try this:
>
> http://www.bathpotters.demon.co.uk
>
>
> Steve's design uses an old oil drum rather than mesh, but the principle is
> the same. I helped a local potter build one which she now takes on the
> train to her workshop in the New Forest in Hampshire on a small wheeled
> trolley - so anything is possible! In fact the idea of raku on the beach
is
> very appealing... food for thought, if it ever stops raining here.
>
> Richard
> Bournemouth UK
> www.TheEleventhHour.co.uk
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
> Behalf Of tom michelson
> Sent: 10 November 2000 20:11
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: raku kiln building
>
>
> Hi,
>
> I've been a long-time lurker on this list and this is my first post.
>
> Now, on to my question. I have decided to build a raku kiln for myself,
but
> I really have no place to fire it. I have purchased Steve Banfmann's book
> on raku and there is a great design for a relatively inexpensive raku kiln
> using ceramic fiber and wire mesh. I have ordered the fiber and a burner
> system from ward burners, and have constructed the shape from the wire
mesh,
> so this weekend will be spent constructing the kiln.
>
> My questions are:
> 1. Does anybody on the list have any hints or potential problems to look
out
> for when constructing this sort of kiln? (it's my first)
> 2. Since I have no place at home to fire the kiln (I live in a flat in a
> city), I was planning on making the kiln somewhat portable and taking it
out
> to a deserted spot on the beach and try to fire it there. Are there any
> problems that you might foresee with firing on the beach? (I know that
> there might be legal ramifications, if I don't get a permit to fire on the
> beach, but I'm asking for advice on a more technical level.)
>
> Thanks in advance for any help that you can give me.
>
> Best regards
> tom m
> _________________________________________________________________________
> Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.
>
> Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at
> http://profiles.msn.com.
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
> __
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
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