mel jacobson on sun 8 jun 08
Hey y'all! I've fallen in love with the plethora of knowledge that
flies around here, and though I've checked the archives I still have a
few questions I'm hoping you can help me with. I'm building a raku
kiln this summer in my backyard, and using a propane tank as the fuel.
One: Which is the smarter design: This one
(http://grahammercer.com.au/raku%20bin%20building.htm) which I am
leaning more towards, or the ever-popular fiberfrax+chicken wire
concoction that so many people have lately? What makes it better?
Which would you build and why?
Two: Approximately how much propane should I be investing in to run
one or two firings per tank? I'm looking to fire to cone 06.
Three: What kind of burner should I get and why? How many BTU's should
I be looking at for output? The welding supply store I was at had no
idea what I was even talking about, but had lots of alternatives if I
can find out approximately how many BTU's it takes to get to cone 06.
Please keep in mind I'm on a budget (about $200 left to invest in
this). Thank you for your insight!
-Megan Flanders
from minnetonka:
website http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
clayart site:
http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
Jeff Gieringer on sun 8 jun 08
Megan,
I just finished building a square Raku kiln on legs with a front door
that I am now wondering why it took so long for me to build. This thing is
great! Before building it, I had the chicken wire type and it worked fine,
just not as convenient as my new one. The burner will remain the same
regardless of what type of kiln I have and that is a Ward Burners MR750. At
8 psi they are rated at 153,768 BTU's, which will effortlessly fire a 24"
dia. by 28" tall kiln. They come complete with the burner, regulator,
pressure gauge and tank adapter. You can't beat them for a Raku burner, but
they will eat up the majority of you budget. People will tell you that you
can use a weed burner, and you can, just as you could use a blow dryer to
fry an egg. I personally recommend getting the right equipment when it
comes to the burner and build the cheap chicken wire kiln. It's at the
studio, but I have the information on a "Big Bertha" burner for under $40,
but it doesn't come with a hose or any of the other necessary accessories.
You will want to get a larger propane tank than what you would need for 2
firings. You can fire off of the same tanks you would use for your backyard
grill, but then you're going to have to deal with freeze up on the tank.
Again, if you want to put the tank in a washtub and keep pouring warm water
over it, you can doe this, but you can buy a 100 gallon propane tank about
anywhere for $89 and won't have to worry about it. You can scrimp and fire
Raku, but if this is something that you are going to do more than a couple
of times, invest about $500 and have what will last you a long while and
produce good results. If you have any other questions, feel free to email.
Jeff Gieringer
Gatlinburg, TN
gieringers@charter.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "mel jacobson"
To:
Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2008 6:27 PM
Subject: from a clayarter/propane question
> Hey y'all! I've fallen in love with the plethora of knowledge that
> flies around here, and though I've checked the archives I still have a
> few questions I'm hoping you can help me with. I'm building a raku
> kiln this summer in my backyard, and using a propane tank as the fuel.
>
> One: Which is the smarter design: This one
> (http://grahammercer.com.au/raku%20bin%20building.htm) which I am
> leaning more towards, or the ever-popular fiberfrax+chicken wire
> concoction that so many people have lately? What makes it better?
> Which would you build and why?
>
> Two: Approximately how much propane should I be investing in to run
> one or two firings per tank? I'm looking to fire to cone 06.
>
> Three: What kind of burner should I get and why? How many BTU's should
> I be looking at for output? The welding supply store I was at had no
> idea what I was even talking about, but had lots of alternatives if I
> can find out approximately how many BTU's it takes to get to cone 06.
>
> Please keep in mind I'm on a budget (about $200 left to invest in
> this). Thank you for your insight!
>
> -Megan Flanders
>
> from minnetonka:
> website http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
> clayart site:
> http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
>
William & Susan Schran User on sun 8 jun 08
On 6/8/08 6:27 PM, "mel jacobson" wrote:
> One: Which is the smarter design: This one
> (http://grahammercer.com.au/raku%20bin%20building.htm) which I am
> leaning more towards, or the ever-popular fiberfrax+chicken wire
> concoction that so many people have lately? What makes it better?
> Which would you build and why?
>
> Two: Approximately how much propane should I be investing in to run
> one or two firings per tank? I'm looking to fire to cone 06.
>
> Three: What kind of burner should I get and why? How many BTU's should
> I be looking at for output? The welding supply store I was at had no
> idea what I was even talking about, but had lots of alternatives if I
> can find out approximately how many BTU's it takes to get to cone 06.
>
> Please keep in mind I'm on a budget (about $200 left to invest in
> this). Thank you for your insight!
Your budget would point you towards a fiber lined can such as described in
the web site you provided.
You would also need a weed burner, kiln posts and a kiln shelf.
Then of course gloves, tongs and buckets for reduction chambers.
It is an inexpensive way to go, but I don't care for the cans where you
remove the top then reach down into the chamber to remove the pots. It's
more difficult to do this and you'll need to design you pots to allow this
removal process.
I prefer a fiber lined round wire (I recommend expanded metal or hardware
cloth) chamber that is lifted off that allows for much easier access to the
pots from all around the kiln.
Ward Burner has a good kit:
http://www.wardburner.com/burnersparts/rakukilnkits.html
But this is more than what you want to spend.
Frank Colson has a site: www.r2d2u.com/
He has a kit named Rocky Raku
Here's another source for a raku kiln kit:
http://www.bigceramicstore.com/supplies/kilns/portable_raku_kiln.htm
It is the Bracker Kiln.
Again, more than you want to spend, but when You get everything you'll need,
I think you'll find it'll be more than $200.
The usual size propane tank one uses for barbeques should get you through
several firings. You'll need to get a tub that the tank fits in to have it
sit in water - to keep it warm, keep from freezing up. Doing it this way you
can use nearly all of the gas in the tank.
A venturi burner is best all around, but a weed burner will work just fine.
Here's a good example of what you need:
/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1212968292&sr=8-1>
Much more power than you'll need.
Post back when you get yourself set up.
Bill
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
Elizabeth Priddy on sun 8 jun 08
Go to Ward's online and get a raku burner setup because it is the safe way to do it.
Elizabeth Priddy
Beaufort, NC - USA
Natural Instincts Conference Information:
http://downtothepottershouse.com/NaturalInstincts.html
http://www.elizabethpriddy.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7973282@N03/
Bonnie Hellman on sun 8 jun 08
I second Jeff's comments (below because they are worth repeating ) about
the Ward Burner MR750. It was also a pleasure to deal with the company.
Bonnie
Bonnie D. Hellman
Ouray, Colorado 81427
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Gieringer"
To:
Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2008 5:18 PM
Subject: Re: from a clayarter/propane question
> Megan,
>
> I just finished building a square Raku kiln on legs with a front door
> that I am now wondering why it took so long for me to build. This thing
> is
> great! Before building it, I had the chicken wire type and it worked
> fine,
> just not as convenient as my new one. The burner will remain the same
> regardless of what type of kiln I have and that is a Ward Burners MR750.
> At
> 8 psi they are rated at 153,768 BTU's, which will effortlessly fire a 24"
> dia. by 28" tall kiln. They come complete with the burner, regulator,
> pressure gauge and tank adapter. You can't beat them for a Raku burner,
> but
> they will eat up the majority of you budget. People will tell you that
> you
> can use a weed burner, and you can, just as you could use a blow dryer to
> fry an egg. I personally recommend getting the right equipment when it
> comes to the burner and build the cheap chicken wire kiln. It's at the
> studio, but I have the information on a "Big Bertha" burner for under $40,
> but it doesn't come with a hose or any of the other necessary accessories.
> You will want to get a larger propane tank than what you would need for 2
> firings. You can fire off of the same tanks you would use for your
> backyard
> grill, but then you're going to have to deal with freeze up on the tank.
> Again, if you want to put the tank in a washtub and keep pouring warm
> water
> over it, you can doe this, but you can buy a 100 gallon propane tank about
> anywhere for $89 and won't have to worry about it. You can scrimp and
> fire
> Raku, but if this is something that you are going to do more than a couple
> of times, invest about $500 and have what will last you a long while and
> produce good results. If you have any other questions, feel free to
> email.
>
> Jeff Gieringer
> Gatlinburg, TN
> gieringers@charter.net
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "mel jacobson"
> To:
> Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2008 6:27 PM
> Subject: from a clayarter/propane question
>
>
>> Hey y'all! I've fallen in love with the plethora of knowledge that
>> flies around here, and though I've checked the archives I still have a
>> few questions I'm hoping you can help me with. I'm building a raku
>> kiln this summer in my backyard, and using a propane tank as the fuel.
>>
>> One: Which is the smarter design: This one
>> (http://grahammercer.com.au/raku%20bin%20building.htm) which I am
>> leaning more towards, or the ever-popular fiberfrax+chicken wire
>> concoction that so many people have lately? What makes it better?
>> Which would you build and why?
>>
>> Two: Approximately how much propane should I be investing in to run
>> one or two firings per tank? I'm looking to fire to cone 06.
>>
>> Three: What kind of burner should I get and why? How many BTU's should
>> I be looking at for output? The welding supply store I was at had no
>> idea what I was even talking about, but had lots of alternatives if I
>> can find out approximately how many BTU's it takes to get to cone 06.
>>
>> Please keep in mind I'm on a budget (about $200 left to invest in
>> this). Thank you for your insight!
>>
>> -Megan Flanders
>>
>> from minnetonka:
>> website http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
>> clayart site:
>> http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
>>
Tracey Duivestein on mon 9 jun 08
Megan
A big consideration when deciding which type of raku kiln to build is
whether you are firing on your own or with reliable help. I have an
expanded mesh & fiber "top-hat" kiln that I love & works well for my
purposes.
It does however take 2 people to lift off the base safely without knocking
pots off or burning myself (it needs to be lifted straight up). Prior to
moving, I had it attached to a pulley system which worked very well. The
expanded mesh kiln tend to be a bit lighter than the bin ones, and the
dimensions can be varied to suit your needs.
The "top-hat" can also be loaded & unloaded from all sides & I often use
more than 1 shelf per firing (depending on the type & height of the pots).
I don't have much input re the burners - mine is a custom made flame thrower
of note
Have fun
Tracey
near Stanford, South Africa
Square Peg Arts on mon 9 jun 08
When I made my raku kiln, I used the ol' weed burner and about a 100lb (gal)
propane tank. Mostly to maintain good pressure and thus more reliable heat.
A pain to transport and fill though...
Anyhoo,
I made the kiln out of a upside-down trashcan and just wired the fiber
inside with high temp wire.
Cut a hold in the top for the flue.
Then I attached 3 cables to the rim (triangular like) and ran them up to a
pulley suspended from a horizontal steel pipe suspended above. Ran the cable
over to one side and through another pulley and then attached a bucket o
bricks to it.
It acted as a counterweight system so when I needed to remove the ware, I
just lowered the bucket and up went the kiln.
No need for any assistence, which is good since my DH is scared of firey
things.
I will make another at my new studio, but will look around for an old metal
swingset to suspend the pulleys from.
----- Original Message -----
From: "mel jacobson"
To:
Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2008 3:27 PM
Subject: from a clayarter/propane question
> Hey y'all! I've fallen in love with the plethora of knowledge that
> flies around here, and though I've checked the archives I still have a
> few questions I'm hoping you can help me with. I'm building a raku
> kiln this summer in my backyard, and using a propane tank as the fuel.
>
> One: Which is the smarter design: This one
> (http://grahammercer.com.au/raku%20bin%20building.htm) which I am
> leaning more towards, or the ever-popular fiberfrax+chicken wire
> concoction that so many people have lately? What makes it better?
> Which would you build and why?
>
> Two: Approximately how much propane should I be investing in to run
> one or two firings per tank? I'm looking to fire to cone 06.
>
> Three: What kind of burner should I get and why? How many BTU's should
> I be looking at for output? The welding supply store I was at had no
> idea what I was even talking about, but had lots of alternatives if I
> can find out approximately how many BTU's it takes to get to cone 06.
>
> Please keep in mind I'm on a budget (about $200 left to invest in
> this). Thank you for your insight!
>
> -Megan Flanders
>
> from minnetonka:
> website http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
> clayart site:
> http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
>
Cathi Newlin, Angels Camp, Ca
www.SquarePegArts.com
yes, that's a straw in my beer.
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