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cast, tongue and groove kiln blocks w/ photos

updated sun 27 jan 08

 

Paul Herman on sat 19 jan 08


Robert,

I looked at your blog and think the brick mold is a work of art, just
wonderful. I'm impressed.

Keep up the good work, and please keep us informed as you progress
with this new kiln.

Best,

Paul Herman

Great Basin Pottery
Doyle, California US
http://greatbasinpottery.com


On Jan 19, 2008, at 3:28 PM, Robert wrote:

> I'm currently building a multi fuel kiln, using a local fireclay as
> the
> base for a castable mix.
> One of the key elements is casting large interlocking blocks, from
> which
> the kiln will be stacked.
> This is to help move and restack the kiln efficiently.
> I have recently completed the first set of molds and blocks.
> In total I will need about 6 molds beside the arch, which will also be
> cast in interlocking sections.
> I have photos of the molds and casting process at
> http://nativeclay.blogspot.com/
> for anyone who might be interested
> Take care,
> Robert
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> ________
> Clayart members may send postings to: clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
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>

Robert on sat 19 jan 08


I'm currently building a multi fuel kiln, using a local fireclay as the
base for a castable mix.
One of the key elements is casting large interlocking blocks, from which
the kiln will be stacked.
This is to help move and restack the kiln efficiently.
I have recently completed the first set of molds and blocks.
In total I will need about 6 molds beside the arch, which will also be
cast in interlocking sections.
I have photos of the molds and casting process at
http://nativeclay.blogspot.com/
for anyone who might be interested
Take care,
Robert

pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET on sat 19 jan 08


Hi Robert,



Ooooooo! What a nice Block that makes!


Lots of thought and care went into that Mould to do this.

Sweet..!


Keep us posted on the continued progress...


Best wishes!


Phil
l v

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert"


> I'm currently building a multi fuel kiln, using a local fireclay as the
> base for a castable mix.
> One of the key elements is casting large interlocking blocks, from which
> the kiln will be stacked.
> This is to help move and restack the kiln efficiently.
> I have recently completed the first set of molds and blocks.
> In total I will need about 6 molds beside the arch, which will also be
> cast in interlocking sections.
> I have photos of the molds and casting process at
> http://nativeclay.blogspot.com/
> for anyone who might be interested
> Take care,
> Robert

Don Goodrich on sun 20 jan 08


Robert,
It's always a pleasure to see a well-conceived and realized design.
The interlocking kiln blocks and molds you've made are exquisite.
Your photos and explanations clearly show the important aspects of
the project. Many thanks for sharing them on your blog site.

Cheers,
Don Goodrich looking forward to seeing what the arch molds look like.

http://dongoodrichpottery.com/

On Sat, 19 Jan 2008 15:28:23 -0800, Robert wrote,
in part:

>I'm currently building a multi fuel kiln, using a local fireclay as the
>base for a castable mix.
...
>In total I will need about 6 molds beside the arch, which will also be
>cast in interlocking sections.
>I have photos of the molds and casting process at
>http://nativeclay.blogspot.com/
>for anyone who might be interested
>Take care,
>Robert

vpitelka on sun 20 jan 08


Robert wrote:
"Several reasons I guess. I'm setting up a studio from scratch after
walking away from a ten year collection of equipment for various
personal, social and spiritual reasons. A good kiln is the single
largest expense for me and doing this "on the cheap" will allow more
resources for my other studio needs. Or, perhaps the "sweat equity"
fits my budget :-). . . . . "

Robert -
Thanks for that very thoughtful response. I appreciate your philosophy. It
reminds me that there are many people who choose to do things that are labor
intensive because they like the labor and/or get a lot of satisfaction out
of doing it themselves. It doesn't always make the best sense from a purely
practical point of view if one is paying oneself a decent hourly wage, but
there is much more to it than that. When I was working full-time as a
potter in Northern California I also gathered, cut, and split all of our own
firewood for a wood cook stove in the kitchen and a big wood stove in the
living-dining room. If I paid myself a decent wage for that work, I could
have been buying good split firewood by the cord and could have been
spending the time in the studio. But the break from the studio, the outside
work, and the exercise all did me good. I enjoyed it. I think that many of
us make similar decisions about labor-intensive tasks.
- Vince

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

Maggie Jones on sun 20 jan 08


Hey Robert,
I'm impressed...keep it up and keep us posted, thanks,
Maggie


http://TurtleIslandPottery.com
Maggie and Freeman Jones

(ps..."hey" is southern for Hi...it is not hollerin at you.)

On Sat, 19 Jan 2008 15:28:23 -0800 Robert writes:
> I'm currently building a multi fuel kiln, using a local fireclay as
> the
> base for a castable mix.
> One of the key elements is casting large interlocking blocks, from
> which
> the kiln will be stacked.
> This is to help move and restack the kiln efficiently.
> I have recently completed the first set of molds and blocks.
> In total I will need about 6 molds beside the arch, which will also
> be
> cast in interlocking sections.
> I have photos of the molds and casting process at
> http://nativeclay.blogspot.com/
> for anyone who might be interested
> Take care,
> Robert
>
>
_________________________________________________________________________
_____
> 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
>
>

vpitelka on sun 20 jan 08


Robert wrote:
"I'm currently building a multi fuel kiln, using a local fireclay as the
base for a castable mix.
One of the key elements is casting large interlocking blocks, from which
the kiln will be stacked.
This is to help move and restack the kiln efficiently.
I have recently completed the first set of molds and blocks.
In total I will need about 6 molds beside the arch, which will also be
cast in interlocking sections.
I have photos of the molds and casting process at
http://nativeclay.blogspot.com/"

Robert -
This is an interesting project, and now you've got me hooked. I'll be
anxiously awaiting the next episode. But this is a whole lot of trouble to
go to for just one kiln. Is there a particular reason why you chose to do
it this way rather than with commercial brick? I am asking because I am
just curious. I will be very interested to see more images as you proceed
with building the kiln, so I'll keep checking the blog.
- Vince

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

Hank Murrow on sun 20 jan 08


On Jan 20, 2008, at 11:48 AM, vpitelka wrote:
>
> Robert -
> This is an interesting project, and now you've got me hooked. I'll be
> anxiously awaiting the next episode. But this is a whole lot of
> trouble to
> go to for just one kiln. Is there a particular reason why you
> chose to do
> it this way rather than with commercial brick? I am asking because
> I am
> just curious. I will be very interested to see more images as you
> proceed
> with building the kiln, so I'll keep checking the blog.
> - Vince

Dear Vince;

Robert is concerned that his land situation may be less than
permanent, he has access to a good grade of siliceous Kaolinite, and
a hard-won appreciation for 'wild' materials...... this is behind his
unusual choices. I am betting on him to pull it off.

Cheers, Hank
www.murrow.biz/hank

Robert on sun 20 jan 08


Hi Vince,
Several reasons I guess. I'm setting up a studio from scratch after
walking away from a ten year collection of equipment for various
personal, social and spiritual reasons. A good kiln is the single
largest expense for me and doing this "on the cheap" will allow more
resources for my other studio needs. Or, perhaps the "sweat equity"
fits my budget :-). I'm also full time in another trade right now so I
can take the time over a few months to complete it and the time
scheduling works. I also have some personal convictions, though by no
means a purist, about regional resources and economies and alway search
out and utilize local materials where available. This particular
material could be used for all the related craftsmans trades (glass,
metal,ceramics) and I hope my research will benefit other artists in my
area, including some friends who would like to establish a folk craft
school. I think it likely I will move more than once in the next two
years and would prefer a quicker set up and take down than commercial
IFB's would provide. Also, as a potter, I like to test constantly, so
a smaller kiln, shorter cycle was part of the goal, but with this
design I can add a kiln fairly quickly to increase production
capacity. I think the design will work well with commercial castable as
well at significant savings over IFB's. I definitely plan on making
multiple kiln with these molds. But the proof is in the firing and we
shall see.
Take care,
Robert

vpitelka wrote:
> Is there a particular reason why you chose to do
> it this way rather than with commercial brick? I am asking because I am
> just curious.

Maggie Jones on sun 20 jan 08


Hi Vince....I think it is the availability of the local kaolinite...I am
watching too.
Maggie

(yes, molly told me about her mishap, shame she couldn't use it somehow!)


On Sun, 20 Jan 2008 13:48:16 -0600 vpitelka writes:
> Robert wrote:
> "I'm currently building a multi fuel kiln, using a local fireclay as
> the
> base for a castable mix.
> One of the key elements is casting large interlocking blocks, from
> which
> the kiln will be stacked.
> This is to help move and restack the kiln efficiently.
> I have recently completed the first set of molds and blocks.
> In total I will need about 6 molds beside the arch, which will also
> be
> cast in interlocking sections.
> I have photos of the molds and casting process at
> http://nativeclay.blogspot.com/"
>
> Robert -
> This is an interesting project, and now you've got me hooked. I'll
> be
> anxiously awaiting the next episode. But this is a whole lot of
> trouble to
> go to for just one kiln. Is there a particular reason why you chose
> to do
> it this way rather than with commercial brick? I am asking because
> I am
> just curious. I will be very interested to see more images as you
> proceed
> with building the kiln, so I'll keep checking the blog.
> - Vince
>
> Vince Pitelka
> Appalachian Center for Craft
> Tennessee Tech University
> vpitelka@dtccom.net; wpitelka@tntech.edu
> http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka
>
>
_________________________________________________________________________
_____
> 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
>
>

Ben Shelton on mon 21 jan 08


Robert,
Wowwwww
How cool!

Your molds are masterpieces and I am sure the kiln will be as well.
As the others have said, keep us posted.

Ben

Duff bogen on fri 25 jan 08


Robert
In David Green's book there's a photo of cast arch segments. In section they are an upside down "T". In dimensions 6"wx6"tall by the width of the kiln. It looked like an efficient use of materials- thin and wide on the bottom of theflange to cover the kiln and tall and thin on the rib to give structural deapth to span the kiln.
Duff
PS do you have drawings posted on your blog?

Robert wrote:
I'm currently building a multi fuel kiln, using a local fireclay as the
base for a castable mix.
One of the key elements is casting large interlocking blocks, from which
the kiln will be stacked.
This is to help move and restack the kiln efficiently.
I have recently completed the first set of molds and blocks.
In total I will need about 6 molds beside the arch, which will also be
cast in interlocking sections.
I have photos of the molds and casting process at
http://nativeclay.blogspot.com/
for anyone who might be interested
Take care,
Robert

______________________________________________________________________________
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



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Robert on fri 25 jan 08


Duff,
So its a "ring" arch? with the "T" oriented perpendicular to the axis of
the arch? I was thinking to cast, essentially, a bonded arch with
largish sections and interlocking tongue and grooves.
No drawings yet. I'm rather graphically challenged in 2d. I might get
some done this weekend.
Robert

Duff bogen wrote:
> Robert
> In David Green's book there's a photo of cast arch segments. In section they are an upside down "T". In dimensions 6"wx6"tall by the width of the kiln. It looked like an efficient use of materials- thin and wide on the bottom of theflange to cover the kiln and tall and thin on the rib to give structural deapth to span the kiln.
> Duff
> PS do you have drawings posted on your blog?

Duff bogen on sat 26 jan 08


Robert
A "ring arch" if yer imagining ring bricks big enough to span side to side on the kiln.
Another image would be like a cantalever bridge- a massive block sitting on the wall with an arch reaching 1/3 across. A block on the opposite side with an arch reaching in 1/3 from its side and a "keystone" arch segment to drop in the middle.
You say you're "graphically challenged in 2d" and I can't talk without a pencil in my hand say la vee
Duff

Robert wrote:
Duff,
So its a "ring" arch? with the "T" oriented perpendicular to the axis of
the arch? I was thinking to cast, essentially, a bonded arch with
largish sections and interlocking tongue and grooves.
No drawings yet. I'm rather graphically challenged in 2d. I might get
some done this weekend.
Robert

Duff bogen wrote:
> Robert
> In David Green's book there's a photo of cast arch segments. In section they are an upside down "T". In dimensions 6"wx6"tall by the width of the kiln. It looked like an efficient use of materials- thin and wide on the bottom of theflange to cover the kiln and tall and thin on the rib to give structural deapth to span the kiln.
> Duff
> PS do you have drawings posted on your blog?

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

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

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



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