Hank Murrow on fri 23 apr 10
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On Apr 23, 2010, at 10:39 AM, jonathan byler wrote:
> Euan Craig, in describing a kiln he built for someone in wales, made
> note of a way that some Czech guys were laying up their arches where
> the bricks are not interlocked as is normal here.
>
> a picture is available here if you scroll down about halfway down the
> page:
>
> http://euancraig.blogspot.com/2008/07/how-to-build-kiln-in-just-4-
> days.html
>
> so all of you kiln builders out there, what do you think of this arch
> construction? does it affect the strength of the arch, and does it
> really help stop cracks from forming in the arch bricks? is this a
> good idea, bad idea, or doesn't make a difference?
Dear Jonathan;
I have built several arches in the way that Euan describes......
commonly called 'ring arches', they work a treat, providingn that
they are contained and that some means of tying the front to the back
is implemented. Just pressure from the front wall against the arch
and the rear wall against the arch is enough.
The nice part is not having to build a form for the entire arch.....
just one ring at a time. Here's a pic of one I built in La Paz, Baja CA.
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Good Luck, Hank in Eugene
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Paul Herman on fri 23 apr 10
Jon,
It's called "ring arches" instead of a bonded arch.
I can see that it might stop the arch bricks from cracking as they do
in a bonded arch.
I guess I have no strong opinion, as I've never used ring arches. My
thought is that it probably doesn't make much difference.
Best wishes,
Paul Herman
Great Basin Pottery
Doyle, California US
www.greatbasinpottery.com/
On Apr 23, 2010, at 10:39 AM, jonathan byler wrote:
> Euan Craig, in describing a kiln he built for someone in wales, made
> note of a way that some Czech guys were laying up their arches where
> the bricks are not interlocked as is normal here.
>
> a picture is available here if you scroll down about halfway down the
> page:
>
> http://euancraig.blogspot.com/2008/07/how-to-build-kiln-in-just-4-days.ht=
ml
>
> so all of you kiln builders out there, what do you think of this arch
> construction? does it affect the strength of the arch, and does it
> really help stop cracks from forming in the arch bricks? is this a
> good idea, bad idea, or doesn't make a difference?
>
>
> -jon
jonathan byler on fri 23 apr 10
Euan Craig, in describing a kiln he built for someone in wales, made
note of a way that some Czech guys were laying up their arches where
the bricks are not interlocked as is normal here.
a picture is available here if you scroll down about halfway down the
page:
http://euancraig.blogspot.com/2008/07/how-to-build-kiln-in-just-4-days.html
so all of you kiln builders out there, what do you think of this arch
construction? does it affect the strength of the arch, and does it
really help stop cracks from forming in the arch bricks? is this a
good idea, bad idea, or doesn't make a difference?
-jon
Des & Jan Howard on sat 24 apr 10
Jonathon
A ring arch is an easy-peasy, lazy buggers way of
building an arch. The bricks are easier to lay, the
front & back of the arch end neatly, no half bricks.
Replacing failed bricks is also easier as each ring is
distinct from its neighbour.
Downside, I've had slipped bricks in a ring arch,
staggered bricks lock each other in. I've never had
cracked bricks in a staggered brick arch.
That ring arch kiln also had an an arch nearly
identical to the almost semi-circular proportions of
Euan Craig's Wales build.
A door butting against the arch instead of being under
the arch is also a suss move. Unless the door is braced
verry tightly against the kiln & arch it will bend away
from the kiln as the hot face expands.
Des
jonathan byler wrote:
> Euan Craig, in describing a kiln he built for someone in wales, made
> note of a way that some Czech guys were laying up their arches where
> the bricks are not interlocked as is normal here.
>
> so all of you kiln builders out there, what do you think of this arch
> construction? does it affect the strength of the arch, and does it
> really help stop cracks from forming in the arch bricks? is this a
> good idea, bad idea, or doesn't make a difference?
--
Des & Jan Howard
Lue Pottery
Lue NSW
Australia
2850
02 6373 6419
www.luepottery.hwy.com.au
-32.656072 149.840624
Lee Love on sat 24 apr 10
I built Euan's design: the arch with interlocking superduty soft
bricks. Held up pretty well for five years. A friend moved it and
rebuilt it on a mountainside in Mashiko. (I used coarse fireclay as
mortar, because I knew it would have to eventually be moved.) It is
still going strong.
But I might do the ring arch if I did it again, then you don't
have to use halfbricks at each end. Also, a door that butts up
against the arch, instead of having the door bricks go under the arch,
mades for easier wall stacking and less wear on the arch brick.
--
Lee, a Mashiko potter in Minneapolis
http://mashikopots.blogspot.com/
=3D93Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel
the artistry moving through and be silent.=3D94 --Rumi
douglas fur on sat 24 apr 10
JB
As an aside to your question-
What I noticed is the arch is approaching a 1/2 circle which would have a
tendency to buckle out near the base like weak ankles on an ice skater.
That this arch form has been used successfully says that its in the realm o=
f
"close but just works". If one were to miss that detail and go to a 1/2
circle trouble could result.
DRB
Burien
On Fri, Apr 23, 2010 at 10:39 AM, jonathan byler wrote=
:
> Euan Craig, in describing a kiln he built for someone in wales, made
> note of a way that some Czech guys were laying up their arches where
> the bricks are not interlocked as is normal here.
>
> a picture is available here if you scroll down about halfway down the
> page:
>
> http://euancraig.blogspot.com/2008/07/how-to-build-kiln-in-just-4-days.ht=
ml
>
> so all of you kiln builders out there, what do you think of this arch
> construction? does it affect the strength of the arch, and does it
> really help stop cracks from forming in the arch bricks? is this a
> good idea, bad idea, or doesn't make a difference?
>
>
> -jon
>
Craig Edwards on sun 25 apr 10
Jonathon: I tend to agree with Des. I built a kiln in the early 70's and th=
e
building inspector wanted the plans approved by a structural engineer. The
engineer was mainly concerned about brick patterns and if the metal frame
was designed to contain the bricks. Although the kiln was built in the Mid
West the engineer talked about earthquake proofing, and how to meet the
standards back then. The running bond brick pattern would be a superior
design if you happen to live in a shaky part of the world.
I've never really had problems with bricks breaking with the running bond.
You do need to cut some bricks in half... I personally happen to like
cutting bricks and making them fit just right.
Usually the extra effort on kiln building pays off... pots come and go, but
the kiln if designed and properly built will be around for a long, long
time. An example of your craftsmanship...a source of pride, and an
inspiration to make work to put in it.
--
Make Good Pots
~Craig
New London MN
http://woodfiredpottery.blogspot.com/
Kiln building workshop October 15-22
Taku, Japan
karatsupots-workshop.blogspot.com/
On Sat, Apr 24, 2010 at 3:00 AM, Des & Jan Howard wrot=
e:
> Jonathon
> A ring arch is an easy-peasy, lazy buggers way of
> building an arch. The bricks are easier to lay, the
> front & back of the arch end neatly, no half bricks.
> Replacing failed bricks is also easier as each ring is
> distinct from its neighbour.
> Downside, I've had slipped bricks in a ring arch,
> staggered bricks lock each other in. I've never had
> cracked bricks in a staggered brick arch.
> That ring arch kiln also had an an arch nearly
> identical to the almost semi-circular proportions of
> Euan Craig's Wales build.
> A door butting against the arch instead of being under
> the arch is also a suss move. Unless the door is braced
> verry tightly against the kiln & arch it will bend away
> from the kiln as the hot face expands.
> Des
>
> jonathan byler wrote:
>
>> Euan Craig, in describing a kiln he built for someone in wales, made
>> note of a way that some Czech guys were laying up their arches where
>> the bricks are not interlocked as is normal here.
>>
>> so all of you kiln builders out there, what do you think of this arch
>> construction? does it affect the strength of the arch, and does it
>> really help stop cracks from forming in the arch bricks? is this a
>> good idea, bad idea, or doesn't make a difference?
>>
>
> --
> Des & Jan Howard
> Lue Pottery
> Lue NSW
> Australia
> 2850
>
> 02 6373 6419
> www.luepottery.hwy.com.au
> -32.656072 149.840624
>
jonathan byler on mon 26 apr 10
thanks for all the replies. I think I will stick with the staggered
brick pattern I have used the last two arches I built. we have good
wet saws and can cut bricks with ease. I am all about strength of
finished product over ease of construction.
On Apr 25, 2010, at 1:39 PM, Craig Edwards wrote:
> Jonathon: I tend to agree with Des. I built a kiln in the early 70's
> and the
> building inspector wanted the plans approved by a structural
> engineer. The
> engineer was mainly concerned about brick patterns and if the metal
> frame
> was designed to contain the bricks. Although the kiln was built in
> the Mid
> West the engineer talked about earthquake proofing, and how to meet
> the
> standards back then. The running bond brick pattern would be a
> superior
> design if you happen to live in a shaky part of the world.
> I've never really had problems with bricks breaking with the running
> bond.
> You do need to cut some bricks in half... I personally happen to like
> cutting bricks and making them fit just right.
> Usually the extra effort on kiln building pays off... pots come and
> go, but
> the kiln if designed and properly built will be around for a long,
> long
> time. An example of your craftsmanship...a source of pride, and an
> inspiration to make work to put in it.
>
>
> --
> Make Good Pots
> ~Craig
> New London MN
> http://woodfiredpottery.blogspot.com/
>
> Kiln building workshop October 15-22
> Taku, Japan
> karatsupots-workshop.blogspot.com/
>
>>
Lee Love on mon 26 apr 10
On Mon, Apr 26, 2010 at 2:00 PM, jonathan byler wrote:
> thanks for all the replies. I think I will stick with the staggered
> brick pattern I have used the last two arches I built. we have good
> wet saws and can cut bricks with ease. I am all about strength of
> finished product over ease of construction.
Euan didn't use this method for "ease of construction. Read below:
The place in Czech where the Seko twins work has a long history of ceramics=
=3D
,
> and the kiln builders there do not interlock the arch bricks, thus avoidi=
=3D
ng
> horizontal stress on the arch and eliminating cracking across the joints.
> So, we tried that method on this kiln. We also made the arch shorter, so
> that the kiln door could be butted up against it instead of trying to fit
> bricks under the arch every firing.
>
Also, there might be some truth in earthquake country. The arch might
not shake apart as easily it there could be movement between layers. It
would be great to speak with Czech master kiln builders and hear their
reasoning.
Euan is a real stickler for craftsmanship. You can see this by
simply looking at his work:
http://www.d1.dion.ne.jp/~euan/sub4.htm
--
Lee, a Mashiko potter in Minneapolis
http://mashikopots.blogspot.com/
=3D93Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel t=
he
artistry moving through and be silent.=3D94 --Rumi
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