David Woof on fri 18 jun 10
Hi Jon=3D2C =3D20
Mortar is used to take up empty irregular spaces between surfaces and thus =
=3D
make a tighter=3D2C leveling fit=3D2C but=3D2C mortar is not glue. It is a=
good =3D
idea to mortar the chimney with a fire clay slurry to seal for better contr=
=3D
ol of the draw. In fact it is an ignorant waste not to!!!
=3D20
Too often the chimney is overlooked as the most important controlling part =
=3D
of the kiln. =3D20
=3D20
Not speaking to you here specifically but there are folks out there who bel=
=3D
ieve that arches and chimneys are magically held up by the mortar.
Why do you wish or need to build to the height you mention?=3D20
A shorter chimney with larger volume will draw as well or better vs a talle=
=3D
r one with narrower dimensions once it is heated sufficiently and it has th=
=3D
e added feature of physical stability.
=3D20
Lightning is a serious hazard. The "tallest" in the area in/of itself is =
=3D
not necessarily the target and the folk wisdom perpetrated by the lightning=
=3D
rod salesmen who were the Electrolux and Kirby salesmen of their day needs=
=3D
scientific examination.=3D20
=3D20
However if you plan to put metal on your chimney=3D2C and again I ask why? =
y=3D
ou will need an eight foot copper coated ground rod driven into the ground =
=3D
and the (woven copper) grounding strap clamped to this rod and to the iron =
=3D
framework of the chimney. Goop up the connections with the stuff electrici=
=3D
ans use to prevent corrosive interaction between differing metals. Of cour=
=3D
se I may be dead wrong about all of this and you may become dead for follow=
=3D
ing it so you should seek licensed professional advice for safety and code =
=3D
compliance. How is that for a disclaimer? =3D20
=3D20
Interestingly those beautiful glass balls on the old time lightning rods we=
=3D
re designed to burst when the lightning coursed thru the rod=3D2C thus indi=
ca=3D
ting to the occupant that there had been a strike and that they had been pr=
=3D
otected. It also generated more lightning rod business and replacing glass=
=3D
balls was good repeat biz as well. One might ask now=3D3B would a strike =
ev=3D
en have happened if there hadn't been a metal rod designed and mounted to a=
=3D
ttract and connect the ion trailer necessary for a strike?
=3D20
I can't say it often enough that many "do it yourself" folks just want the =
=3D
how to advice without concern for the background physics of how and why it =
=3D
works. Then they edit the advice in magical terms made up by personal disb=
=3D
elief based on imagined financial necessity or just lazy corner cutting or =
=3D
some deep seated psychic twitch about someone not possibly knowing more tha=
=3D
n they=3D3B or as artist types who must just change stuff to make it their =
ow=3D
n "expression"....=3D20
=3D20
Lightning will follow the strongest ion trail established of which you coul=
=3D
d be part of if your body is making a better conductor than the grounding r=
=3D
od. Lightning will jump to the side of the tall tree from the herd of cow=
=3D
s standing near who have their hooves planted firmly in the wet ground. Pe=
=3D
ople too!!!
=3D20
My story: during last year's monsoon I was standing=3D2C within inches=3D2C=
of =3D
my welding table which is built of a mass of steel rails and is grounded to=
=3D
the earth. I was sheltered under a steel roof also grounded to the weldin=
=3D
g table. As the hair on my arm nearest the table started to rise I spun aw=
=3D
ay from proximity to the table and the lightning in that same "instant" cho=
=3D
se another target about 50 meters away and at higher elevation. Close call=
=3D
=3D3B even with all that metal and grounding my body was also a necessary p=
ar=3D
t of the required circuit to precipitate a strike and when I in that instan=
=3D
t broke the ion connection the lightning took it's next best choices. I sa=
=3D
w this particular lightning follow a three fork connection between earth an=
=3D
d sky!!!
=3D20
Best regards=3D2C and best to study good chimney design a bit further and u=
se=3D
mud=3D2C
=3D20
David Woof
_______________________________________________________________
=3D20
=3D20
Date: Tue=3D2C 15 Jun 2010 15:00:36 -0500
From: jonathan byler
Subject: lightning rods on chimney?
Hi all=3D2C
I was wondering what people's experience is building chimney stacks of
around 16-20 feet tall=3D2C and whether they bother to put lightning rods
on them or anything like that. I was planning on building the one for
our wood kiln with a metal frame so that I would not have to mortar it
together=3D2C and was wondering if simply grounding this frame with a
heavy cable to a ground rod is sufficient=3D2C or whether it needs
anything at all. It won't be the tallest structure in the
neighborhood by any means=3D2C but I do feel the need to get it up above
the roofline of the building it will be near.
-jon
=3D20
=3D20
=3D20
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your =
=3D
inbox.
http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=3D3DPID28326::T:WLMTAGL=
:O=3D
N:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_2=3D
David Woof on fri 18 jun 10
John=3D2C=3D20
fortunate or blessed! you are still with us and I'm sure that if you believ=
=3D
e as you say then it has changed you and your life in some significant way.
=3D20
As is so often the case here on Clayart=3D2C once the original post is addr=
es=3D
sed we tend to keep going with stories. Which is ok with me because I belie=
=3D
ve our lives and our work is enhanced by the entwined shared support of a c=
=3D
lay community. Growing up in the agricultural Coulee Region of West Wiscon=
=3D
sin we were at the east end of tornado alley=3D2C lightning country=3D2C an=
d ir=3D
on rich ore in the ground. I saw many balls of fire run along fence rails=
=3D
=3D2C down driveways=3D2C kill cows and people. knew of survivors....trees =
expl=3D
oded=3D2C digging for those glass tubes creatd by lightning at the base of =
tr=3D
ees....wild exciting firey stuff to grow up with. We didn't need TV horror=
=3D
shows to entertain and give us shivers.
=3D20
Dad had the perfect plan for a stormy day. He said the best protection from=
=3D
lightning was to be snuggled in a featherbed under a goose down comforter.=
=3D
So when the clouds loomed black and thunder started he called off work and=
=3D
he and mom=3D2C hand in hand=3D2C with grins of anticipation=3D2C did just=
that =3D
for the day.
=3D20
David
=3D20
=3D20
> Date: Fri=3D2C 18 Jun 2010 16:03:21 -0500
> From: inua@charter.net
> To: woofpots@HOTMAIL.COM
> CC: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Re: Subject: lightning rods on chimney?
>=3D20
> David=3D2C
>=3D20
> In June of 2006=3D2C I was struck by lightening. I'm fortunate to still b=
e=3D
=3D20
> here. This was one of a number of episodes in my life which have lead me=
=3D
=3D20
> to the conclusion that my God is not done with me on this earth yet. In=
=3D20
> each case I certainly should have died.
>=3D20
> Lightening struck the great red oak tree right next to my shop. Split=3D2=
0
> the bark from numerous great limbs in the tree as it raced to the=3D20
> ground=3D2C peeling bark all the way and throwing tree debris in a 50 foo=
t=3D
=3D20
> radius circle around the tree. The lightening raced zig-zagging across=3D=
20
> the ground from some 25 feet in front of the shop=3D2C crossed the though=
=3D20
> the open overhead door across the floor to where I was sitting 15 feet=3D=
20
> back from the door. It happened in an instant - and though I saw it=3D20
> coming - one cannot move at the speed of light. I was at my potters=3D20
> wheel=3D2C left foot in a spill puddle from the wheel=3D2C both hands on =
the=3D
=3D20
> wheel in the wet clay=3D2C and the lightening came directly to my left fo=
ot=3D
.=3D20
> I felt it hit=3D2C convulsed violently and all went black. I woke up lyin=
g=3D
=3D20
> on the floor some 6 feet being the wheel=3D2C wired for an EKG and being=
=3D20
> checked out by an EMT from the local fire department. Though shaken=3D2C =
I=3D
=3D20
> was OK from the get-go=3D2C but was taken to the hospital for a more=3D20
> thorough exam. I seemingly have never suffered any side effects whatsoeve=
=3D
r.
>=3D20
> My lesson? Pay attention to the weather=3D2C and when the thunder and=3D2=
0
> lightening start=3D2C stop=3D2C go in the house=3D2C get a good book=3D2C=
sit on =3D
a wood=3D20
> chair on a wood floor on a rubber mat far from doors and windows. I take=
=3D
=3D20
> no chances. Most thunderstorms will pass in 20-30 minutes.
>=3D20
> John
>=3D20
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea=3D2C AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>=3D20
>=3D20
> On 6/18/2010 10:33 AM=3D2C David Woof wrote:
> > Hi Jon=3D2C
> > Mortar is used to take up empty irregular spaces between surfaces and t=
=3D
hus make a tighter=3D2C leveling fit=3D2C but=3D2C mortar is not glue. It i=
s a go=3D
od idea to mortar the chimney with a fire clay slurry to seal for better co=
=3D
ntrol of the draw. In fact it is an ignorant waste not to!!!
> >
> >
> >
> > Too often the chimney is overlooked as the most important controlling p=
=3D
art of the kiln.
> >
> >
> >
> > Not speaking to you here specifically but there are folks out there who=
=3D
believe that arches and chimneys are magically held up by the mortar.
> >
> >
> > Why do you wish or need to build to the height you mention?
> >
> >
> > A shorter chimney with larger volume will draw as well or better vs a t=
=3D
aller one with narrower dimensions once it is heated sufficiently and it ha=
=3D
s the added feature of physical stability.
> >
> > Lightning is a serious hazard. The "tallest" in the area in/of itself i=
=3D
s not necessarily the target and the folk wisdom perpetrated by the lightni=
=3D
ng rod salesmen who were the Electrolux and Kirby salesmen of their day nee=
=3D
ds scientific examination.
> >
> >
> >
> > However if you plan to put metal on your chimney=3D2C and again I ask w=
hy=3D
? you will need an eight foot copper coated ground rod driven into the grou=
=3D
nd and the (woven copper) grounding strap clamped to this rod and to the ir=
=3D
on framework of the chimney. Goop up the connections with the stuff electri=
=3D
cians use to prevent corrosive interaction between differing metals. Of cou=
=3D
rse I may be dead wrong about all of this and you may become dead for follo=
=3D
wing it so you should seek licensed professional advice for safety and code=
=3D
compliance. How is that for a disclaimer?
> >
> > Interestingly those beautiful glass balls on the old time lightning rod=
=3D
s were designed to burst when the lightning coursed thru the rod=3D2C thus =
in=3D
dicating to the occupant that there had been a strike and that they had bee=
=3D
n protected. It also generated more lightning rod business and replacing gl=
=3D
ass balls was good repeat biz as well. One might ask now=3D3B would a strik=
e =3D
even have happened if there hadn't been a metal rod designed and mounted to=
=3D
attract and connect the ion trailer necessary for a strike?
> >
> > I can't say it often enough that many "do it yourself" folks just want =
=3D
the how to advice without concern for the background physics of how and why=
=3D
it works. Then they edit the advice in magical terms made up by personal d=
=3D
isbelief based on imagined financial necessity or just lazy corner cutting =
=3D
or some deep seated psychic twitch about someone not possibly knowing more =
=3D
than they=3D3B or as artist types who must just change stuff to make it the=
ir=3D
own "expression"....
> >
> >
> >
> > Lightning will follow the strongest ion trail established of which you =
=3D
could be part of if your body is making a better conductor than the groundi=
=3D
ng rod. Lightning will jump to the side of the tall tree from the herd of c=
=3D
ows standing near who have their hooves planted firmly in the wet ground. P=
=3D
eople too!!!
> >
> >
> >
> > My story: during last year's monsoon I was standing=3D2C within inches=
=3D2C=3D
of my welding table which is built of a mass of steel rails and is grounde=
=3D
d to the earth. I was sheltered under a steel roof also grounded to the wel=
=3D
ding table. As the hair on my arm nearest the table started to rise I spun =
=3D
away from proximity to the table and the lightning in that same "instant" c=
=3D
hose another target about 50 meters away and at higher elevation. Close cal=
=3D
l=3D3B even with all that metal and grounding my body was also a necessary =
pa=3D
rt of the required circuit to precipitate a strike and when I in that insta=
=3D
nt broke the ion connection the lightning took it's next best choices. I sa=
=3D
w this particular lightning follow a three fork connection between earth an=
=3D
d sky!!!
> >
> >
> >
> > Best regards=3D2C and best to study good chimney design a bit further a=
nd=3D
use mud=3D2C
> >
> >
> >
> > David Woof
> >
> > _______________________________________________________________
> >
> >
> > Date: Tue=3D2C 15 Jun 2010 15:00:36 -0500
> > From: jonathan byler
> > Subject: lightning rods on chimney?
> >
> > Hi all=3D2C
> >
> > I was wondering what people's experience is building chimney stacks of
> > around 16-20 feet tall=3D2C and whether they bother to put lightning ro=
ds
> > on them or anything like that. I was planning on building the one for
> > our wood kiln with a metal frame so that I would not have to mortar it
> > together=3D2C and was wondering if simply grounding this frame with a
> > heavy cable to a ground rod is sufficient=3D2C or whether it needs
> > anything at all. It won't be the tallest structure in the
> > neighborhood by any means=3D2C but I do feel the need to get it up abov=
e
> > the roofline of the building it will be near.
> >
> > -jon
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from y=
=3D
our inbox.
> > http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=3D3DPID28326::T:WLM=
TA=3D
GL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_2
> >
> >=3D20
>=3D20
=3D20
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search=3D2C chat and e-mail from your i=
nb=3D
ox.
http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=3D3DPID28326::T:WLMTAGL=
:O=3D
N:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_1=3D
John Rodgers on fri 18 jun 10
David,
In June of 2006, I was struck by lightening. I'm fortunate to still be
here. This was one of a number of episodes in my life which have lead me
to the conclusion that my God is not done with me on this earth yet. In
each case I certainly should have died.
Lightening struck the great red oak tree right next to my shop. Split
the bark from numerous great limbs in the tree as it raced to the
ground, peeling bark all the way and throwing tree debris in a 50 foot
radius circle around the tree. The lightening raced zig-zagging across
the ground from some 25 feet in front of the shop, crossed the though
the open overhead door across the floor to where I was sitting 15 feet
back from the door. It happened in an instant - and though I saw it
coming - one cannot move at the speed of light. I was at my potters
wheel, left foot in a spill puddle from the wheel, both hands on the
wheel in the wet clay, and the lightening came directly to my left foot.
I felt it hit, convulsed violently and all went black. I woke up lying
on the floor some 6 feet being the wheel, wired for an EKG and being
checked out by an EMT from the local fire department. Though shaken, I
was OK from the get-go, but was taken to the hospital for a more
thorough exam. I seemingly have never suffered any side effects whatsoever.
My lesson? Pay attention to the weather, and when the thunder and
lightening start, stop, go in the house, get a good book, sit on a wood
chair on a wood floor on a rubber mat far from doors and windows. I take
no chances. Most thunderstorms will pass in 20-30 minutes.
John
John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com
On 6/18/2010 10:33 AM, David Woof wrote:
> Hi Jon,
> Mortar is used to take up empty irregular spaces between surfaces and thu=
s make a tighter, leveling fit, but, mortar is not glue. It is a good idea=
to mortar the chimney with a fire clay slurry to seal for better control o=
f the draw. In fact it is an ignorant waste not to!!!
>
>
>
> Too often the chimney is overlooked as the most important controlling par=
t of the kiln.
>
>
>
> Not speaking to you here specifically but there are folks out there who b=
elieve that arches and chimneys are magically held up by the mortar.
>
>
> Why do you wish or need to build to the height you mention?
>
>
> A shorter chimney with larger volume will draw as well or better vs a tal=
ler one with narrower dimensions once it is heated sufficiently and it has =
the added feature of physical stability.
>
> Lightning is a serious hazard. The "tallest" in the area in/of itself i=
s not necessarily the target and the folk wisdom perpetrated by the lightni=
ng rod salesmen who were the Electrolux and Kirby salesmen of their day nee=
ds scientific examination.
>
>
>
> However if you plan to put metal on your chimney, and again I ask why? y=
ou will need an eight foot copper coated ground rod driven into the ground =
and the (woven copper) grounding strap clamped to this rod and to the iron =
framework of the chimney. Goop up the connections with the stuff electrici=
ans use to prevent corrosive interaction between differing metals. Of cour=
se I may be dead wrong about all of this and you may become dead for follow=
ing it so you should seek licensed professional advice for safety and code =
compliance. How is that for a disclaimer?
>
> Interestingly those beautiful glass balls on the old time lightning rods =
were designed to burst when the lightning coursed thru the rod, thus indica=
ting to the occupant that there had been a strike and that they had been pr=
otected. It also generated more lightning rod business and replacing glass=
balls was good repeat biz as well. One might ask now; would a strike even=
have happened if there hadn't been a metal rod designed and mounted to att=
ract and connect the ion trailer necessary for a strike?
>
> I can't say it often enough that many "do it yourself" folks just want th=
e how to advice without concern for the background physics of how and why i=
t works. Then they edit the advice in magical terms made up by personal di=
sbelief based on imagined financial necessity or just lazy corner cutting o=
r some deep seated psychic twitch about someone not possibly knowing more t=
han they; or as artist types who must just change stuff to make it their ow=
n "expression"....
>
>
>
> Lightning will follow the strongest ion trail established of which you co=
uld be part of if your body is making a better conductor than the grounding=
rod. Lightning will jump to the side of the tall tree from the herd of c=
ows standing near who have their hooves planted firmly in the wet ground. =
People too!!!
>
>
>
> My story: during last year's monsoon I was standing, within inches, of my=
welding table which is built of a mass of steel rails and is grounded to t=
he earth. I was sheltered under a steel roof also grounded to the welding =
table. As the hair on my arm nearest the table started to rise I spun away=
from proximity to the table and the lightning in that same "instant" chose=
another target about 50 meters away and at higher elevation. Close call; =
even with all that metal and grounding my body was also a necessary part of=
the required circuit to precipitate a strike and when I in that instant br=
oke the ion connection the lightning took it's next best choices. I saw th=
is particular lightning follow a three fork connection between earth and sk=
y!!!
>
>
>
> Best regards, and best to study good chimney design a bit further and use=
mud,
>
>
>
> David Woof
>
> _______________________________________________________________
>
>
> Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:00:36 -0500
> From: jonathan byler
> Subject: lightning rods on chimney?
>
> Hi all,
>
> I was wondering what people's experience is building chimney stacks of
> around 16-20 feet tall, and whether they bother to put lightning rods
> on them or anything like that. I was planning on building the one for
> our wood kiln with a metal frame so that I would not have to mortar it
> together, and was wondering if simply grounding this frame with a
> heavy cable to a ground rod is sufficient, or whether it needs
> anything at all. It won't be the tallest structure in the
> neighborhood by any means, but I do feel the need to get it up above
> the roofline of the building it will be near.
>
> -jon
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from you=
r inbox.
> http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=3DPID28326::T:WLMTAGL=
:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_2
>
>
Vince Pitelka on fri 18 jun 10
David Woof wrote"
"A shorter chimney with larger volume will draw as well or better vs a
taller one with narrower dimensions once it is heated sufficiently and it
has the added feature of physical stability."
Hi David -
The physical stability part is certainly true, but otherwise, it is not tru=
e
that a shorter, wider chimney will draw as well as a tall narrow one, unles=
s
the tall one is too narrow and thus restricts the draft. A chimney is a
convection tower, and any observation of the old Industrial Revolution
chimneys tells you that a tapered one is the very best. A tapered one
allows the speed of the gases to increase as they rise up the tower, which
increases the draft at the bottom. Before the advent of forced-air burner
systems, the draft provided by those chimneys was the primary "force"
supercharging combustion in a kiln or furnace, and thus the millwrights of
the time experimented with every possible way to increase draft. The tall
tapered chimney is the most efficient. The primary flaw of the groundhog
kiln is the short, wide chimney and thus the inadequate and uneven draft.
I built a 100-cubic-foot natural-draft natural-gas car kiln in California
was one of the smoothest, most even-firing kilns I have ever used. I
attribute that to several things, including the tall, tapered chimney, whic=
h
was 13.5"x13.5" inside at the bottom where the flue entered, 9"x9" at the
top of the brick, with a length of 10" steel well-casing on top, and a tota=
l
height of about 14 feet. That much height was not necessary for the
operation of the kiln, but was required to clear the height of the adjacent
studio roof peak. The flue exited the center-end of the studio and the
chimney was outside. For chimneys of that height, I would add several
passive-damper ports near the bottom to temper any excessive velocity in th=
e
flue.
One other thing I did that made that kiln so controllable - I formed IFB
burner port inserts with a round hole slightly larger than the diameter of
the burner tip, and with the opening flaring larger towards the inside of
the kiln.
And for Jon, lightening was very rare in coastal Northwestern California, s=
o
that was not a concern. The chimney described above was encased in an
angle-iron frame, which is a must for any tall, narrow brick chimney,
especially in earthquake country. It was also required for this chimney in
order to provide something to weld on the additional length of well-casing.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Tech University
vpitelka@dtccom.net; wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka
steve graber on sat 19 jun 10
but did you run out to then buy a lotto ticket?=3DA0 =3D0A=3DA0Steve Graber=
, Grab=3D
er's Pottery, Inc=3D0AClaremont, California USA=3D0AThe Steve Tool - for aw=
esom=3D
e texture on pots! =3D0Awww.graberspottery.com steve@graberspottery.com =3D=
0A=3D
=3D0A=3D0AOn Laguna Clay's website=3D0Ahttp://www.lagunaclay.com/blogs/ =3D=
0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D
=3D0A----- Original Message ----=3D0A> From: David Woof OM>=3D
=3D0A> To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=3D0A> Sent: Fri, June 18, 2010 8:33:52 =
AM=3D
=3D0A> Subject: Subject: lightning rods on chimney?=3D0A> =3D0A> Hi Jon,=3D=
A0 =3D0AMo=3D
rtar is used to take up empty irregular spaces between =3D0A> surfaces and =
th=3D
us make a tighter, leveling fit, but, mortar is not glue.=3DA0 =3D0A> It is=
a g=3D
ood idea to mortar the chimney with a fire clay slurry to seal for =3D0A> b=
et=3D
ter control of the draw. In fact it is an ignorant waste not to!!!=3D0A=3D0=
A=3D0A=3D
> =3D0A=3D0AToo often the chimney is overlooked as the most important contr=
olli=3D
ng =3D0A> part of the kiln.=3DA0 =3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0ANot speaking to you he=
re specifica=3D
lly =3D0A> but there are folks out there who believe that arches and chimne=
ys=3D
are magically =3D0A> held up by the mortar.=3D0A=3D0A=3D0AWhy do you wish =
or need =3D
to build to the height =3D0A> you mention? =3D0A=3D0A=3D0AA shorter chimney=
with la=3D
rger volume will draw as well =3D0A> or better vs a taller one with narrowe=
r =3D
dimensions once it is heated =3D0A> sufficiently and it has the added featu=
re=3D
of physical stability.=3D0A=3D0A> =3D0ALightning is a serious hazard.=3DA0=
The "ta=3D
llest" in the area in/of itself =3D0A> is not necessarily the target and th=
e =3D
folk wisdom perpetrated by the lightning =3D0A> rod salesmen who were the E=
le=3D
ctrolux and Kirby salesmen of their day needs =3D0A> scientific examination=
. =3D
=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0AHowever if you plan to put metal on =3D0A> your chimney=
, and agai=3D
n I ask why?=3DA0 you will need an eight foot copper =3D0A> coated ground r=
od d=3D
riven into the ground and the (woven copper) grounding strap =3D0A> clamped=
t=3D
o this rod and to the iron framework of the chimney.=3DA0 Goop up the =3D0A=
> co=3D
nnections with the stuff electricians use to prevent corrosive interaction =
=3D
=3D0A> between differing metals.=3DA0 Of course I may be dead wrong about a=
ll o=3D
f this =3D0A> and you may become dead for following it so you should seek l=
ic=3D
ensed =3D0A> professional advice for safety and code compliance.=3DA0 How i=
s th=3D
at for a =3D0A> disclaimer?=3DA0 =3D0A=3D0AInterestingly those beautiful gl=
ass ball=3D
s on the old =3D0A> time lightning rods were designed to burst when the lig=
ht=3D
ning coursed thru the =3D0A> rod, thus indicating to the occupant that ther=
e =3D
had been a strike and that they =3D0A> had been protected.=3DA0 It also gen=
erat=3D
ed more lightning rod business and =3D0A> replacing glass balls was good re=
pe=3D
at biz as well.=3DA0 One might ask now; =3D0A> would a strike even have hap=
pene=3D
d if there hadn't been a metal rod designed and =3D0A> mounted to attract a=
nd=3D
connect the ion trailer necessary for a strike?=3D0A=3D0AI =3D0A> can't sa=
y it o=3D
ften enough that many "do it yourself" folks just want the how to =3D0A> ad=
vi=3D
ce without concern for the background physics of how and why it works.=3DA0=
=3D
=3D0A> Then they edit the advice in magical terms made up by personal disbe=
li=3D
ef based =3D0A> on imagined financial necessity or just lazy corner cutting=
o=3D
r some deep seated =3D0A> psychic twitch about someone not possibly knowing=
m=3D
ore than they; or as artist =3D0A> types who must just change stuff to make=
i=3D
t their own "expression".... =3D0A=3D0A=3D0A> =3D0A=3D0ALightning will foll=
ow the str=3D
ongest ion trail established of which you =3D0A> could be part of if your b=
od=3D
y is making a better conductor than the grounding =3D0A> rod.=3DA0 Lightnin=
g wi=3D
ll jump to the side of the tall tree from the herd of =3D0A> cows standing =
ne=3D
ar who have their hooves planted firmly in the wet ground.=3DA0 =3D0A> Peop=
le t=3D
oo!!!=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0AMy story: during last year's monsoon I was =3D0A> =
standing, =3D
within inches, of my welding table which is built of a mass of steel =3D0A>=
r=3D
ails and is grounded to the earth.=3DA0 I was sheltered under a steel roof =
=3D
=3D0A> also grounded to the welding table.=3DA0 As the hair on my arm neare=
st t=3D
he =3D0A> table started to rise I spun away from proximity to the table and=
t=3D
he lightning =3D0A> in that same "instant" chose another target about 50 me=
te=3D
rs away and at higher =3D0A> elevation.=3DA0 Close call; even with all that=
met=3D
al and grounding my body was =3D0A> also a necessary part of the required c=
ir=3D
cuit to precipitate a strike and when I =3D0A> in that instant broke the io=
n =3D
connection the lightning took it's next best =3D0A> choices.=3DA0 I saw thi=
s pa=3D
rticular lightning follow a three fork connection =3D0A> between earth and =
sk=3D
y!!!=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0ABest regards, and best to study good =3D0A> chimney=
design a =3D
bit further and use mud,=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0ADavid =3D0A> Woof=3D0A=3D0A____=
______________=3D
_____________________________________________=3D0A=3D0A> =3D0A=3D0ADate: Tu=
e, 15 Ju=3D
n 2010 15:00:36 -0500=3D0AFrom: jonathan byler <> ymailto=3D3D"mailto:jebyl=
er2@=3D
GMAIL.COM" =3D0A> href=3D3D"mailto:jebyler2@GMAIL.COM">jebyler2@GMAIL.COM>=
=3D0ASu=3D
bject: =3D0A> lightning rods on chimney?=3D0A=3D0AHi all,=3D0A=3D0AI was wo=
ndering wh=3D
at people's =3D0A> experience is building chimney stacks of=3D0Aaround 16-2=
0 fe=3D
et tall, and whether =3D0A> they bother to put lightning rods=3D0Aon them o=
r an=3D
ything like that. I was =3D0A> planning on building the one for=3D0Aour woo=
d ki=3D
ln with a metal frame so that I =3D0A> would not have to mortar it=3D0Atoge=
ther=3D
, and was wondering if simply grounding =3D0A> this frame with a=3D0Aheavy =
cabl=3D
e to a ground rod is sufficient, or whether it =3D0A> needs=3D0Aanything at=
all=3D
. It won't be the tallest structure in =3D0A> the=3D0Aneighborhood by any m=
eans=3D
, but I do feel the need to get it up =3D0A> above=3D0Athe roofline of the =
buil=3D
ding it will be near.=3D0A=3D0A-jon=3D0A=3D0A> =3D0A=3D0A=3DA0 =3DA0 =3D0A=
=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D
=3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0 =3D0A> =3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0 =
=3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0 =3D0A> =3DA0 =3D
=3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0 =3DA0 =3D0A> =3D0A_________________________________=
______________=3D
__________________=3D0AHotmail =3D0A> is redefining busy with tools for the=
New=3D
Busy. Get more from your inbox.=3D0A> href=3D3D"http://www.windowslive.com=
/cam=3D
paign/thenewbusy?ocid=3D3DPID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_2" =
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=3D0A> target=3D3D_blank =3D0A> >http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenew=
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cid=3D3DPID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_2=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A
Louis Katz on sun 20 jun 10
Shorter wider chimneys are much more prone to changes from windspeed in =
=3D
my
experience.
I am not sure if this is the reason (s), but the ratio of the speed leavi=
=3D
ng
the chimney to the windspeed, or the size of the opening impact the effe=
=3D
ct
of gusty winds.
I use steel pipe on the top 2/3 s of my chimney but the practice is a
compromise. I am certain that I can fire quicker with a more insulated
stack, although round is better than square. The more insulation the soon=
=3D
er
the chimney starts to draw well.
I oversize my chimneys a bit, because I like to stack pots in the flue. A=
=3D
smaller effective flue also cuts down on the radiant heat loss by the flu=
=3D
e.=3D20
We have an Alpine Downdraft with the chimney only as high as the kiln. Wh=
=3D
en
it is windy down here you have to be careful if you are tall by the back =
=3D
of
the kiln. You can loose a little hair if your chimney is not much taller
than you are.
John, I have been really careful to not operate my radios on rooftop or
higher antennas when there is a storm. Your experience will help keep me
being careful. It is always tempting to use my Yagi Uda antenna to check=
=3D
into our local hazardous weather net. It is tempting to use an old radio =
=3D
and
a wireless connection to it.
Down here where the soil is just clay bearing mud I sink my extra ground
rods for my radio installation by using 3/4 inch water pipe with the end
hammered flat. I solder a T on the end and a hose fitting and twist while=
=3D
pushing down on the T handle. I use 10 ft rods as 8 footers need watering=
=3D
during droughts to produce a good radio ground and you can get two 10
footers out of a 20' pipe.
=3D20
Louis
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