lili krakowski on wed 19 may 10
When I had my left knee replaced, I could not "do" stairs right after =
=3D
the surgery (OUCH!) so slept on the living room futon. One night, going =
=3D
to the bathroom, I see in front of me this large ball of dark fur, with =
=3D
a pendulum swinging off it....I was on pain-killers and half-asleep - =3D
--but it gave me a huge shock--before I realized it was Cannonball =3D
crouching on the toilet bowl, and drinking out of it. (I had not known =3D
she did that).
So I can see that the vision of us short and stout (and, some, elderly) =3D
potters heads down over the edges of top loading kilns --imagine we all =3D
were in the same kiln room---even without furry pendulum tails--would be =
=3D
terrifying.
Perhaps we should consider designing us a front loader. ALL THIS IDEA =3D
ONLY: NOT BUILDING PLAN.
Arnold speaks of the greater cost. I cannot argue with that, as I am =3D
ignorant of it all. My first kiln was a Norman, about 20" x 20" by 20" =3D
inside, and cost $400. That was 400 hours of minimum wage. Figure =3D
$2900 today. Kiln prices have definitely come down....
But remembering the Scheier kiln, and looking at Fournier's book, I =3D
wonder whether certain things could not be done for economy.
(Have not yet gotten ahold of Olsen's book.)
Assume for a moment this: A modular kiln. The "units" would be about =3D
24'x24" and each would contain one element. Each unit would have an =3D
angle iron frame--which, I am told, could be made of dumpster steel, =3D
such as those Hollywood bed frames. The floor could be plain units or =3D
have elements in it.
The door could be just stacked brick as it would be in a fuel burner, or =
=3D
a set of units fitted inside a railing of sorts. It would be able to be =
=3D
hoisted by a pulley, or on wheels, or put in place by two people working =
=3D
together....or one strong person.
In my vision because it has modular units it could go from small to =3D
large. As each "unit" is self sufficient as it were, if one gets =3D
damaged the others remain ok--NOT the case in top loaders where a =3D
damaged brick will "destroy" the ring. (All sides)
Arnold rightly mentions that the frame should be welded. "My =3D
informants" tell me it also could be riveted. BUT as my idea is that =3D
(visualize the frame lying down--NOT YOU LYING DOWN, the frame--It would =
=3D
then have that fiber board put in, just as asbestos board used to be, =3D
then I would guess a similar kaowool board, then the bricks that will =3D
hold the element---or maybe a castable can be made with the element =3D
grooves in it. So I am not sure that even bolts supplemented by my =3D
beloved hose clamps might not work....
The whole thing would be held in a frame like a slot.....cross section U =
=3D
shaped as it were....and the units held together with what I think are =3D
called "pintle" hinges--one half a prong that fits into a tube/pipe in =3D
the other section. =3D20
The main problem I see is the roof part....Minnesota Flat top idea =3D
might be borrowable....
Someone somewhere said--not in relation with this "conversation" that =3D
top hat kilns require a certain amount of space above the kiln, plus a =3D
sturdy beam or such to hang the thing from. Something to consider.
Of course if one wanted this thing computerized--well that is for one of =
=3D
my young and gifted electrical friends to figure out for me!
As said. This is ONLY and idea, a fantasy. NOT a building plan....
Lili Krakowski
Be of good courage
douglas fur on sat 22 may 10
Lili
"ALL THIS IDEA ONLY: NOT BUILDING PLAN."
Now that we've entered alice's wonderland where anthing might happen...
The module I'd design has an el shape in plan. A straight wall doesn't wan=
t
to stand up on its own without a metal frame but put a bend in it and it's
freestanding. Four els would make a square and one could be pivoted for a
door. I would cast these with a perlite/portland cement/fireclay mix, make
square slabs for the top and bottom and line with fiber. for an electric
kiln element holders could be extruded and fastened through the wall.
DRB
Burien
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