Kevin Finegan on tue 6 jan 98
When a thread appeared on Clayart about firing old Alpines, I perked
up. I have an antique Alpine HS-10, which I fire about three to four
times a year. The last firing was very similar to the one that Erin
described, with uneven temperatures from top to bottom, and uneven
reduction also. Although, there are a few good places, getting a
celadon or a copper red glaze with any consistency was elusive. So I
read Erin's posting and Vince's and Nils' replies with interest. Like
Erin, I am limited in funds, and I am also technically challenged. So
when I read that she had removed the radients and baffle and encountered
improvement in her firing, I decided to give it a try. Since I work
full time, it takes me awhile to make enough work to fill the kiln and I
had to wait several months before attempting the experiment. It was
with trepidation that I removed the baffles and radients. But as the
firing commenced, I noticed a real difference in the responsiveness of
the kiln. It's been very difficult to get the middle ground from too
much reduction to not enough. For once a minor change in damper
position resulted in what seemed like good, moderate reduction. I never
had to turn the gas on to full output, as I usually have to do.
Like Erin, my first load overfired.( I just had a hard time seeing the
cones at all, any advice on improving visibility of cones would be
appreciated. I had placed cone pats bottom front and rear, middle rear
and top front. For some reason cone ten never melted on the top front
cone pat, but 11 had melted onto it, all others cone 11 had melted. But
the glazes, I had reds throughout the kiln, bules looked good, too. It
was the best firing, with the most consistent results I have ever had in
the seven years I've had this kiln. Many thanks to Nils, Vince, and
Erin for sharing this information.
KLeSueur on wed 7 jan 98
In a message dated 1/6/98 5:04:40 PM, you wrote:
<< I just had a hard time seeing the
cones at all, any advice on improving visibility of cones would be
appreciated.>>
The best way I've found to see cones is with a Maglite flashlite set to its
brightest intensity. I also use welders goggles.
Kathi LeSueur
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