Wyndham Dennison on thu 16 oct 08
>
> kiln was started and fired in an
> eight hour reduction cycle again to cone 10, when the whole procedure
> was repeated. 800 cuft per day at a fuel cost of $52!
Hank I saw the Flicker photo's and have a question on the buttons used
to secure the blanket. It's hard to tell from the photo but it appears
they are a hollow cone with a flange to hold the blankets and I'm
thinking if you used kanthal wire you may have packed the inside of the
cone with some fiber??. I was looking into making a much smaller version
for fuel economy and wondered also about the composition of the
buttons. I have a recipe for a high alumina kiln post that might work
well for these buttons. Did you cast or press them and did they last
well from repeated firing.
With the price of fuel going up, fiber is looking good. I just picked up
on this thread and if you have already talked about this, I missed it.
Thanks again Wyndham
Hank Murrow on thu 16 oct 08
On Oct 16, 2008, at 6:01 AM, Wyndham Dennison wrote:
>>
>> kiln was started and fired in an
>> eight hour reduction cycle again to cone 10, when the whole procedure
>> was repeated. 800 cuft per day at a fuel cost of $52!
>
> Hank I saw the Flicker photo's and have a question on the buttons used
> to secure the blanket. It's hard to tell from the photo but it appears
> they are a hollow cone with a flange to hold the blankets and I'm
> thinking if you used kanthal wire you may have packed the inside of
> the
> cone with some fiber??.
No, the buttons were commercial devices which locked onto a stud
which was spot-welded to the shell. It worked OK, but the danger that
layered construcion presents still obtained. The problem comes when
layers separate a bit and hot gases travel between layers. Death to
the kiln.
I now use(since '74) a folded blanket construction with the very best
grade of fiber available. This type puts the anchor just two inches
from the cold face and buried 4" away from the hot face, and when a
410 alloy stainless material is used for the anchors(which are
riveted to the shell)..... longevity is the result.
I built the 'Top Hat' kiln foor the Shadbolt Arts Centre in Burnaby
BC. this kiln went through 1052 cycles in reduction to cone 10+ and
we restored it with a new lining a couple of years ago. Good to go
another 1000+ firings. It averaged $18 per firing over the twenty
years before restoration.
> I was looking into making a much smaller version
> for fuel economy
My design is 28 cuft stacking. An ideal size for one or two potters.
> and wondered also about the composition of the
> buttons. I have a recipe for a high alumina kiln post that might work
> well for these buttons. Did you cast or press them and did they last
> well from repeated firing.
As above.
> With the price of fuel going up, fiber is looking good. I just
> picked up
> on this thread and if you have already talked about this, I missed it.
> Thanks again Wyndham
If you search the archives, you will find many mentions of the
Doorless Fiberkiln in relation to my name. There is more in the Sept/
Oct 2001 issue of Ceramics Monthly, if you can find a copy.
Cheers, Hank
www.murrow.biz/hank
Peggy Thompson on sat 18 oct 08
I am looking into a rental space that has 200 amps and about 1200 sqft
with no windows but a regular door and a single overhead door.I am into
tile murals and large architectural pieces and am somewhat productive,lol,
for my advanced age.
Here is the question, what is the way to go kiln-wise to get bisque,cone 6
and some cone 10 firings.that is both economical equipment wise and uses
lowest consumption of power and what vent system works without huge site
investment?
I will not have a kiln site outdoors her and no gas fuel options.
I have built and used outdoor gas kilns in the past with bisque in the
larger manual indoor electric kilns but this situation will entail new
investment in firing equipment in a rented facility, which is new to me.
I have all my other major equipment and have been out of the marketing my
work in the recent few year and tho the economy is- not great for my
timing the location would be close to ideal for me, if I can get the firing
figured out.
My existing electric kilns are a decade old ,manual,but in excellent shape
but I doubt I can get more than one or possibly two recepticles included.I
would love a huge interior gas fired kiln but getting the fuel and permits
would be a huge undertaking that might get me denied the lease option.
Feel free to email me directly if
Snail Scott on sun 19 oct 08
On Oct 18, 2008, at 8:42 PM, Peggy Thompson wrote:
> I am looking into a rental space that has 200 amps and about 1200 sqft
> with no windows but a regular door and a single overhead door.I am
> into
> tile murals and large architectural pieces...no gas fuel options.
For large murals, electric is a good option, since it will be
easier to replicate exact conditions from one firing to the
next, and big projects that wind up divided into multiple
kilnloads will not end up with mismatched parts due to
inconsistent reduction.
For venting, consider putting an undermounted kiln vent
out through the regular door. If the landlord won't permit it,
offer to replace the door. Take the landlord's door out and
store it, and put in an inexpensive one after cutting a hole
through to mount the vent. Use flexible tubing, and put the
hole close to the hinge side of the door, and it shouldn't
even hinder using it. If it does, then come and go using the
overhead door while a firing is happening (a good idea
anyway), and disconnect the vent hose from the regular
door when not firing. Replace the landlord's door when you
end your lease, sometime in the future.
A really large gas kiln can be nice, but in a rental space,
it's probably too big a can of worms anyway, and it's possible
to do very large work even using a medium-sized electric kiln.
-Snail
Michael Wendt on mon 20 oct 08
Sculptors take note,
I am currently working on a project to
make firing life size and larger unit sculptures
easier. If anyone out there would like to be
involved, let me know off list. I plan to use
conventional kilns first and will explain in detail
to serious inquiries provided they agree to sign
a non-disclosure agreement.
Regards,
Michael Wendt
Wendt Pottery
2729 Clearwater Ave.
Lewiston, Id 83501
U.S.A.
208-746-3724
wendtpot@lewiston.com
http://www.wendtpottery.com
http://UniquePorcelainDesigns.com
Peggy Thompson on mon 20 oct 08
sounds interesting,Michael, count me in.
Peggy
On Mon, Oct 20, 2008 at 8:33 AM, Michael Wendt wrote:
> Sculptors take note,
> I am currently working on a project to
> make firing life size and larger unit sculptures
> easier. If anyone out there would like to be
> involved, let me know off list. I plan to use
> conventional kilns first and will explain in detail
> to serious inquiries provided they agree to sign
> a non-disclosure agreement.
> Regards,
> Michael Wendt
> Wendt Pottery
> 2729 Clearwater Ave.
> Lewiston, Id 83501
> U.S.A.
> 208-746-3724
> wendtpot@lewiston.com
> http://www.wendtpottery.com
> http://UniquePorcelainDesigns.com
>
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