Vince Pitelka on fri 5 sep 08
Mel -
Let's just change that to "raku kiln sickness." You'd be hard pressed to
experience anything like that around a salt kiln, because the exhaust gases
are no more harmful than the exhaust from any gas kiln. Of course everyone
should avoid breathing any kind of kiln fumes, but if a person is reasonably
careful around a salt kiln there is not going to be any negative impact
other than corrosion on surrounding metal surfaces. It is a well-documented
fact that workers in the old salt-firing factories did not experience any
health problems associated with kiln exhaust fumes.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Tech University
vpitelka@dtccom.net; wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka
mel jacobson on fri 5 sep 08
it is important to keep your head out of the
raku exhaust. (as if you don't know...but a good reminder.)
i have a small helper. if you get that sore throat, kinda
sicky feeling after firing...gargle some maalox. and then
swallow.
often the throat gets coated with some nasty, and the
maalox makes it feel better. it is best to keep away,
but at the time of pulling pots etc...and with a lot of smoke
from the reduction...the maalox helps. (i get the cheap brand
at the drug store...half price...same stuff.)
my take on raku has always been:
keep the area clean. make it a dance step.
one to open, one to pluck, one to open cans,
and make sure you all go one way.
it is sort of like driving on a freeway...get everyone
going one way. and keep the off ramp open.
organization is the key. one leader, others to take jobs and
follow...then change jobs so all know what is going on.
same for any group studio. get everyone going the same way.
those that do not...shun them. high school kids do that very well.
they are experts.
`hey dick head, what you doing?` when students take responsibility
for the studio, most of your worries are over. if you as teacher have
to constantly remind kids what is expected...you have lost.
like this:
the stereo.
it was mine. had a lock and key. the tapes or cd's were given to me
by students...`mel, all will love this one`..sure.
i lectured/demo'd every monday.
tuesday was girls day...they got to pick the music.
wednesday was classical day. i did that. no exceptions.
(after about a month, kids would whisper...we love classical day...
play mozart next week.
thursday was boys day. they picked. usually very stupid.
friday was open and a bit wild.
but, no one touched the stereo except me.
if anyone touched the stereo, changed the music..i cut
off the electric cord.
two weeks off. i replaced that damn cord about ten times.
but, they learned. new kids would ask..`why so much tape on
the stereo power cord..?` touch it and find out.
like my life in dubai. a date tree way out in the desert...loaded
with dates...i said...`who's dates are those`...my friend said.
`touch one, and you will hear the old lee enfield 303 British
off in the distance...just before it hits your skull. they don't have
7 strikes and your out.`
(it is a wonderful place to live...no crime..none.)
mel
from minnetonka:
website http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
clayart site:
http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
Tony Ferguson on fri 5 sep 08
To avoid the stuff in your throat or nostrils I recommend wearing a mask with filter. If you don't like that for comfort or aesthetic reasons, at least wear a bandanna and hold your breath.
Tony Ferguson
mel jacobson wrote: it is important to keep your head out of the
raku exhaust. (as if you don't know...but a good reminder.)
i have a small helper. if you get that sore throat, kinda
sicky feeling after firing...gargle some maalox. and then
swallow.
often the throat gets coated with some nasty, and the
maalox makes it feel better. it is best to keep away,
but at the time of pulling pots etc...and with a lot of smoke
from the reduction...the maalox helps. (i get the cheap brand
at the drug store...half price...same stuff.)
my take on raku has always been:
keep the area clean. make it a dance step.
one to open, one to pluck, one to open cans,
and make sure you all go one way.
it is sort of like driving on a freeway...get everyone
going one way. and keep the off ramp open.
organization is the key. one leader, others to take jobs and
follow...then change jobs so all know what is going on.
same for any group studio. get everyone going the same way.
those that do not...shun them. high school kids do that very well.
they are experts.
`hey dick head, what you doing?` when students take responsibility
for the studio, most of your worries are over. if you as teacher have
to constantly remind kids what is expected...you have lost.
like this:
the stereo.
it was mine. had a lock and key. the tapes or cd's were given to me
by students...`mel, all will love this one`..sure.
i lectured/demo'd every monday.
tuesday was girls day...they got to pick the music.
wednesday was classical day. i did that. no exceptions.
(after about a month, kids would whisper...we love classical day...
play mozart next week.
thursday was boys day. they picked. usually very stupid.
friday was open and a bit wild.
but, no one touched the stereo except me.
if anyone touched the stereo, changed the music..i cut
off the electric cord.
two weeks off. i replaced that damn cord about ten times.
but, they learned. new kids would ask..`why so much tape on
the stereo power cord..?` touch it and find out.
like my life in dubai. a date tree way out in the desert...loaded
with dates...i said...`who's dates are those`...my friend said.
`touch one, and you will hear the old lee enfield 303 British
off in the distance...just before it hits your skull. they don't have
7 strikes and your out.`
(it is a wonderful place to live...no crime..none.)
mel
from minnetonka:
website http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
clayart site:
http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
Take Care,
Tony Ferguson
...where the sky meets the lake...
http://www.tonyferguson.net
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