Peggy Heer on sat 17 may 97
Hi Everyone...I asked this question a week or so ago and never got any
replies...if there is a reply required.... ;>}}} or if the following is
just an old tale.
"In the '60s, it was said that a kiln should be fired to the highest temp
you plan on firing it for the first glaze fire and then you can change to a
lower firing
temp after the elements have been set/tempered...any comments on this???
The directions from Frank Tucker are to fire it 2 times at low temps to see
that everything is working and I will do that of course, it is the first
glaze fire I am asking about.
Thanks for any needed input.
Studio set up 3/4 of the way...can actually SEEEE my clay stacked against
the back wall. YES!!!!! Getting closer. ;>}}}
I have a second question if any would like to offer some solutions/ideas.
I have to build a damp/drying cupboard and was wondering what kind of DC
you have. I HAD a totally plastic covered shelving unit with slide in and
out shelves where I set my trimmed pots to dry. The fresh thrown pots
generally just sat out on the tables covered with soft/light plastic
waiting to be trimmed the next day. So I guess I was using the damp
cupboard for a drying cupboard. :>0 ?
Question #3...do any of you recall the CM issue that carried the great
porfolio of potters studios and how they were set up. NEED some input here
as well. I am attaching shelving to walls that will be almost permanent so
would like to check out some ideas of (possible) BETTER and more efficent
ways of setting up. I know one sets up according to the work cycle and
personal needs and things get moved if they don't work out but I would
like to get any info/suggestions before I set this studio in tooooo solid.
Any and all suggestions would be more than appreciated.
I owe soooo much to all of you. Thank you.
As Always In Clay or nearly. Peggy
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/
Tadeusz Westawic on mon 19 may 97
Hi Peggy,
I don't know about "tempering", but "setting" an element is done in the
first firing after elements are installed. As far as I can tell in my
vast experience (two refits on Skutt and one on Paragon), the "setting"
gets rid of the springiness in the element wire and causes it to settle
into its channel in the soft brick liner. The Paragon people recommend a
temp of cone 06 to 04 to do this, if my recollection is correct. Anyway,
it is certainly NOT the highest possible temp. Areas in the element run
that refuse to settle can be coaxed into place by spreading apart or
squeezing together the coils (whichever is appropriate) using snap ring
pliers. (Snap ring pliers can be got at auto parts store, two kinds:
inside and outside (squeezers and spreaders), get both). Heat kiln to
point where element coils are pliable and turn-off kiln and go to it
with the pliers. Reheat and repeat as necessary.
Also, elements seem to have their own personalities. If the channel for
the elements is undamaged, you may not have to go inserting all those
retainer pins. My small Paragon is my workhorse raku kiln fired to cone
06-04 three days out of five for the past year and a half and still
shows no sign of needing the element retention pins.
Also, contact the manufacturer, they are very often helpful and full of
arcane kiln lore. I can personally speak well for Paragon and Bailey,
they have been of tremendous help to me even though the equipment in
question was acquired used.
Hope this helps.
Tadzu
Peggy Heer wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi Everyone...I asked this question a week or so ago and never got any
> replies...if there is a reply required.... ;>}}} or if the following is
> just an old tale.
>
> "In the '60s, it was said that a kiln should be fired to the highest temp
> you plan on firing it for the first glaze fire and then you can change to a
> lower firing
> temp after the elements have been set/tempered...any comments on this???
> The directions from Frank Tucker are to fire it 2 times at low temps to see
> that everything is working and I will do that of course, it is the first
> glaze fire I am asking about.
> Thanks for any needed input.
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