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how to move a kiln (need advice)

updated thu 3 jan 08

 

L. P. Skeen on tue 1 jan 08


Rob, I dunno about wiser, but that thing looks to be in really sad =
shape, to me. I think if you try to move it intact, it'll fall apart. =
If the frame is welded, I'd take the bricks out, move the frame, and =
then rebuild it, replacing bad brick, when you get it home. Dealing =
with the patching of old broken brick will be more trouble than it's =
worth.

If you do try to move it intact, I'd definitely support the arch somehow =
or other....

Good luck, and let us know what you end up doing.

L
www.livingtreestudios.etsy.com
www.living-tree.net=20
----- Original Message -----=20
From: Rob Marquardt=20


I have an opportunity to adopt a kiln. Its an old, natural gas, custom =
brick, built kiln.
This would be a great opportunity for you wiser, more experienced =
types to give me any and all opinions including telling me that I'm =
crazy to attempt to move this relic two miles to my studio.

I have limited resources, but would invest in the right ones for the =
right plan.

Earl Brunner on tue 1 jan 08


If the brick and frame are structurally sound, it might be worth it. You should be able to do it with the truck and some hydraulic jacks. I would build a wooden frame inside to hold the brick in place with particular attention to the arch. Make an arch support just like you would for laying a new arch. The use of a forklift would be good....
You can jack it up in stages, but you need to be careful not to tweak it.

You are the only one who can decide if what you will end up with, versus what it will cost to convert and move it will be worth it.


Earl Brunner
Las Vegas, NV



----- Original Message ----
From: Rob Marquardt
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Sent: Tuesday, January 1, 2008 2:30:46 PM
Subject: How to move a kiln (need advice)

I have an opportunity to adopt a kiln. Its an old, natural gas, custom brick, built kiln.
This would be a great opportunity for you wiser, more experienced types to give me any and all opinions including telling me that I'm crazy to attempt to move this relic two miles to my studio.

I have limited resources, but would invest in the right ones for the right plan.

please look here:
http://home.comcast.net/~rmarquardt4/

I hope this gives you all a good look. email me if I can do a better job on the photos.

Thanks a lot
Rob

______________________________________________________________________________
Clayart members may send postings to: clayart@lsv.ceramics.org

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Larry Kruzan on tue 1 jan 08


Hi Rob,

I would sure be excited about this find too, depending on costs involved it
could get you a reduction kiln with some significant savings.

I would plan to completely re-brick the entire kiln - it simply is has been
unattended and exposed too long. I really do not see ant bricks that will
come out intact. The majority of the frame looks ok and the burners most
likely need dissembled and cleaned - same for all plumbing with a close
inspection and replacement of any questionable fittings.

Take lots of pictures as you take it apart, every joint with enough of the
area to give you understanding of how it goes back together. I could not
tell what the arch was but with it exposed to the weather the bricks most
likely are spalded like the walls.

You might think you could pick it up with a crane load it onto a truck and
carry it home but my bet would be that if you got it onto a truck it would
fall apart before getting it home. These things just don't travel very good
and you might lose more in the long run by trying.

I didn't see the flue or stack but you will need one in order for it work
right.

Looks like a stacking area of 36"wx48"dx48"h or so, which is a nice size for
a production potter. If my dimensions are close, that is 48 c.f. of stacking
space with a total volume of around 72 c.f. My estimate of materials would
be 1400 straight soft brick, 75 #1 arch brick, 70 hard brick. Plus whatever
flue materials you need.

Kiln furniture would be another thing to anticipate - around 25 shelves and
a good assortment of posts.

Providing the burners are salvageable and how far away you have to get the
bricks from you should be able to get this up for around $3,000-4,000 plus
furniture, which is pretty cheap for this size kiln. If you build it with 4
1/2" walls instead of 9" you can save on bricks but it will cool faster and
not be as strong - always trade-offs with compromises.

Feel free to email or call me anytime.


Larry Kruzan
309-241-2950
Lost Creek Pottery
www.lostcreekpottery.com



-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Rob Marquardt
Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 4:31 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: [CLAYART] How to move a kiln (need advice)

I have an opportunity to adopt a kiln. Its an old, natural gas, custom
brick, built kiln.
This would be a great opportunity for you wiser, more experienced types to
give me any and all opinions including telling me that I'm crazy to attempt
to move this relic two miles to my studio.

I have limited resources, but would invest in the right ones for the right
plan.

please look here:
http://home.comcast.net/~rmarquardt4/

I hope this gives you all a good look. email me if I can do a better job on
the photos.

Thanks a lot
Rob

____________________________________________________________________________
__
Clayart members may send postings to: clayart@lsv.ceramics.org

You may look at the archives for the list, post messages, or change your
subscription settings here: http://www.acers.org/cic/clayart/

Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots2@visi.com

Rob Marquardt on tue 1 jan 08


I have an opportunity to adopt a kiln. Its an old, natural gas, custom brick, built kiln.
This would be a great opportunity for you wiser, more experienced types to give me any and all opinions including telling me that I'm crazy to attempt to move this relic two miles to my studio.

I have limited resources, but would invest in the right ones for the right plan.

please look here:
http://home.comcast.net/~rmarquardt4/

I hope this gives you all a good look. email me if I can do a better job on the photos.

Thanks a lot
Rob

vpitelka on wed 2 jan 08


Rob -
It will take a good-sized forklift to move that kiln onto a flatbed and then
off of the flatbed to where you want it put. But there's an important
question to be asked. Is the kiln in good shape structurally? Does it look
good on the inside? If not, then it probably will not survive the move
intact, in which case you can save all that money for the forklift and
flatbed by disassembling it where it sits, moving the parts to your place,
and then either reassembling the same kiln with new refractory wherever it
needs it, or designing and building whatever kind of gas kiln is better
suited to your needs.

Either that's an old Norman updraft kiln, or if it is home-built, the guy
who built it was copying a Norman.
- Vince


Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Tech University
vpitelka@dtccom.net; wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka

Rogier Donker on wed 2 jan 08


Hey Rob!
That kiln looks about the same size as my "Mama Martha" that's now
for sale. Move it? It would be easier and faster to take it down and
rebuild it two miles down the road...
Rogier

P.S. See us on the web at http://www.donkerstudio.org