mel jacobson on wed 20 apr 11
having done a great deal of writing and research
into fiber kilns for salt, one outstanding fact
always stays with me. salt kills kilns. and shelves
and posts....and stacks, and the metal around
the kiln.
salt kills kilns.
so, saying that, i recommend old shelves, silic carb
shelves, and know you are going to replace them,
over and over.
soda is salt...so don't even go there. all the same horse.
at a hundred dollars ++ each for advancers i would
think that is a far stretch for me in the salt kiln. even if you
double their life...still really expensive.
zak is at my farm splitting wood, cutting trees,
going to the saw mill in snow and cold.
he may have the wood fired kiln on now. wood kilns are a
great deal of work. they are great for young, strong
potters. i want nothing to do with that kiln today.
34 degrees and snowing. mud, slip, slide...cold.
(his dad is going to help him fire, and they stay in
my little house at the farm...they treat it better than
home, total trust with this young, fine potter, trained
with mark hewitt for several years.)
like our salt kiln at the farm. great for our group to
experiment with, fire a few times a year. but, for
every day....i love my gas fired flat top. it has been
with me for 50+ years and makes great pots for me
to sell. 7 feet from my loading bench.
inside, out of the weather. all planned years back
with aging in mind. now i really appreciate what i
have in my studio, kiln room and firing capabilities.
two old electric kilns: good tops. three switches
that have low, medium and high. long bisque firings
that get the crap out of the clay body.
yes ric swenson, life is good. and many of us on
clayart wish you the best in your new life in china.
i am so pleased that i could sit and talk with you at
your school in china. you are really blessed.
mel
from: minnetonka, mn
website: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
clayart link: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
new book: http://www.21stcenturykilns.com
alternate: melpots7575@gmail.com
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