Nancy Guido on mon 17 sep 07
Sarah,
Chances are the elements are too brittle and need to be replaced. There is a way to get the element to stretch, but I hesitate to even suggest it without seeing the kiln myself.
Kilns are really simple machines and new elements are always a good investment.
Nancy g.
Arnold Howard on mon 17 sep 07
From: "John Rodgers"
I would cast my vote for completely replacing all the
> elements. You won't be sorry.
I agree with John if the elements are at the end of a wear
cycle. Just replace them. But if one failed prematurely due
to a loose connector, you just might be able to salvage the
element.
By the way, every time you work on your kiln, you will gain
more confidence. If you know how to work on kilns, you can
often keep an old discarded one firing for years.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
Arnold Howard on mon 17 sep 07
From: "Sarah Ferrency"
My dad
> suggested just stretching it out a little and making a new
> connection.
You can install a new connector as long as you have enough
space on the element pigtail. If the element has slack, you
can probably pull it to get another 1/4" or so of length.
Pull gently, or you will break the element. Once the
elements have been fired, they are as delicate as glass.
They are so very durable, yet so fragile too.
If you are intrepid, you could even expand the element where
it enters the wall of the kiln from the firing chamber. You
must first heat the element coils until red hot with a
propane torch. Then use pliers to grab the pigtail where the
element connector goes. Gently pull the pigtail to gain more
element length.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
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