Michael McDowell on sun 30 nov 97
------------------
Clayarters,
A friend of mine, Marvin Thomas, is interested in getting general
information about Crystar, or other types of shelves that resist warping =26
are available in dimensions for decagonal electric kilns. He has heard some
rumor of shelf material that doesn't need kiln wash. If anyone has some
clues or suggestions to aid him in his search for =22miracle shelves=22 =
please
e-mail me directly =26 I'll forward the information. Marvin does real nice
work, screw topped bottles from his own molds, fired to 2100 degrees in
electric kilns. You'd all like him if I can ever talk him into getting
online.
Michael McDowell
MMcDowell=40compuserve.com
Whatcom County, WA USA
Craig Martell on mon 1 dec 97
At 05:25 PM 11/30/97 EST, Michael wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>------------------
>Clayarters,
>
>A friend of mine, Marvin Thomas, is interested in getting general
>information about Crystar, or other types of shelves that resist warping &
>are available in dimensions for decagonal electric kilns.
Hi Michael:
Crystars and other types of shelves made with silicon carbide should never
be used in electric kilns. They will conduct electricity and there is a
possiblility of shorting the elements etc.
regards, Craig Martell-Oregon
Brad Sondahl on mon 1 dec 97
I'm not familiar with crystar shelves, but Thorleys and other similar
shelves can be used without kilnwash and flipped as sagging, if the
glazes used don't spit. This precludes in the stoneware range glazes
with volatile colorants like copper carb, etc. Feldspathic glazes tend
to melt at the right temp and not spit so much... I never washed
shelves until I got involved with crystalline glazes.
--
Brad Sondahl
http://www.camasnet.com/~asondahl
"I cook by dead reckoning--I reckon if it's dead I can cook it..."
Talbott on mon 1 dec 97
Crystars are made by Norton Industries to the best of my knowledge and
Donna Turbos at Minnesota Firebrick Co. does a good job at setting up
quantity orders... can't find her phone # just now. I understand these
shelves do not require kiln wash (but don't take my word on that). They
are expensive about $120 for a 1/2"x12"x24" shelf last I heard.
We use a SiC Nitride bonded shelves from New Castle Refractories and use
Lee's Kiln Wash... the shelves cost us around $44 per shelf and were of the
same dimensions as stated above.. we have had excellent results with our
shelf system. ...Marshall
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>------------------
>Clayarters,
>
>A friend of mine, Marvin Thomas, is interested in getting general
>information about Crystar, or other types of shelves that resist warping &
>are available in dimensions for decagonal electric kilns. He has heard some
>rumor of shelf material that doesn't need kiln wash. If anyone has some
>clues or suggestions to aid him in his search for "miracle shelves" please
>e-mail me directly & I'll forward the information. Marvin does real nice
>work, screw topped bottles from his own molds, fired to 2100 degrees in
>electric kilns. You'd all like him if I can ever talk him into getting
>online.
>
>Michael McDowell
>MMcDowell@compuserve.com
>Whatcom County, WA USA
101 CLAYART MUGS
2ND ANNUAL CLAYARTERS' GALLERY - NAPLES, MAINE (Summer 1998)
E-MAIL ME FOR AN APPLICATION
http://fmc.utm.edu/~dmcbeth/cag/naples.htm
Celia & Marshall Talbott, Pottery By Celia, Route 114, P O Box 4116,
Naples, Maine 04055-4116,(207)693-6100 voice and fax,(call first)
Clayarters' Live Chat Room, Fri & Sat Nites at 10 PM EDT & Sun at 1 PM EDT
http://webchat12.wbs.net/webchat3.so?Room=PRIVATE_Clayarters
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Ric Swenson on tue 2 dec 97
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>At 05:25 PM 11/30/97 EST, Michael wrote:
>>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>------------------
>>Clayarters,
>>
>>A friend of mine, Marvin Thomas, is interested in getting general
>>information about Crystar, or other types of shelves that resist warping &
>>are available in dimensions for decagonal electric kilns.
>
>Hi Michael:
>
>Crystars and other types of shelves made with silicon carbide should never
>be used in electric kilns. They will conduct electricity and there is a
>possiblility of shorting the elements etc.
>
>regards, Craig Martell-Oregon
----------------------reply------------------
Michael,
In addition to NOT warping........Also look at the 'COST' of CRYSTAR
kiln furniture...I am sure it is more reasonable than it was when first
introduced 15 odd years ago....I remember the ACS convention when it was a
"new, hot item" in 1983.......but stilll....it makes Thorley's in L.A.
look like a real bargain....cast clay (mullite) shelves are non-conductive
and work very well in most studio potter applications eh??
Silicon carbide shelves ( used with or without kiln wash are also
conductive and should be kept in gas atmospheres.
'
Look for 'seconds' of CRYSTAR or look elsewhere. (?)
HTH
Ric
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