mel jacobson on mon 25 apr 11
this is tip number 1,456
about a year ago, i had an element break, separate
in my old kiln.
i had a complete set of euclid elements in waiting.
i checked the ends...hmmmm, this is not too bad.
then thought of arnold howard....`how would he
cobble this together? i was loading a kiln.`
i got out my bernzomatic torch, grabbed the
end of wire left with a plier, heater the wire
to red hot and pulled very gently. out it came.
did the same for the right side.
cooled and used sand paper to clean each end.
then put the ends of the wire in my plier, heated
both ends to red and twisted the wires together.
it has been working well for now a year.
about 20 bisque firings.
the wire must have been smacked with a kiln
shelf at some point...as it was nicked.
so, finally it broke.
fixed it.
many kiln elements break at the connection
in the red box. i heat them with the torch and pull
out just a few more inches...re/attach.'
just make sure you polish the wires before attaching.
make them shine.
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
Arnold Howard on thu 28 apr 11
On 4/25/2011 9:39 PM, mel jacobson wrote:
> many kiln elements break at the connection
> in the red box. i heat them with the torch and pull
> out just a few more inches...re/attach.'
That is a good idea, Mel. If an element breaks at the connector, you can
often pull the pigtail out just a little and install a new
connector--without changing the element.
One time someone removed the kiln switch box and sent a photo of her
element connectors as they appeared during a firing. One connector
glowed a dull red; the others looked normal. The connector that glowed
was loose and would probably eventually burn out at the pigtail. This is
why it is important to tighten the element connectors when installing
elements.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
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