James R. Sydnor on sat 24 jan 98
Hey gang I agree with David. I and others helped with the Dannon Rudy/Mel
Jacobson et al kiln building and it was no problem (disregarding the faulty
bricks). I have built or aided in build kilns from new brick, old brick, soft
brick, hard brick, home made brick, clay, castable, fiber and even dirt (or
combinations). All have fired (of course with varying degrees of success) but
all of those that were built for professional purposes fired professionally
(including the very first one). Get some plans, get help with what you can't do
(welding if you don't weld). If you can follow plans, stack blocks and ask for
advice when you need it (piping, welding, burners and burner size) you can
build a very usable kiln.
Jim Sydnor
David Hendley wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> ----Original message----------------------------
> >There are three kinds of kilns, the one you build yourself, a cheap one
> off the
> >shelf and a good one off the shelf.
> >You can try building one if you have the strength and time, sure you learn
> alot
> >about firing, the hard way.
>
> When I read this yesterday I had to restrain my twitching index finger
> from hitting the 'reply' button.
> I'd just spent several days last week defending myself for disagreeing with
> a CPA and others, for having the audacity to suggest that it is well within
> reason
> for a common, everyday potter to study the subject and then prepare
> her own tax return.
> Now, here's another expert, a kiln expert, warning how hard it would be
> to build your own kiln, what with all the strength and time required.
> Well, I couldn't quit thinking about it today, so I've given in to that
> twitching finger.
> Thanks to Vince for his excellent response today.
>
> Building a kiln is no big deal, in spite of what various 'experts' would
> like you to think.
> There are just a handfull of principles to follow if you want to design
> your own, and there are dozens of good, tried and tested, plans for
> just about any kind of kiln you'd like.
> Do a little studying. Read a book. There are three that I have,
> any one of which would give you all the information you'd need.
> Better yet, get all 3. You'll be saving such an incredible amount of
> $ by building your own, you can afford all 3. The books:
> 'Kilns' by Daniel Rhodes
> 'The Kiln Book' by Fred Olsen
> 'The Art of Firing' by Nils Lou
>
> Mel Jacobson came down to Texas and built TWO kilns in a day
> and a half. Yes, he had help, and yes, he has experience, but even
> if you spend 5 hours thinking about it for every hour spent actually
> building, you can build a kiln pretty fast. Especially a 'flat top',
> which requires no math more complicated than addition, and no
> stength greater than stacking bricks into a cube shape.
>
> So, what's the worst than could happen if you build your own?
> (Please, no one tell me "It could explode". You've studied the subject.
> If you're the careless forgetful type you purchased safety cut-offs
> for the burners, the same as a factory made kiln would have).
> Well, it could not fire evenly or hot enough.
> So you adjust it.
> What if it's STILL not right after several adjustments? (highly unlikely)
> Well, you could unstack it and try again.
> Big deal. And you've learned a lot.
> That's the WORST. I've never personally known someone to have to do it.
> Every kiln I've ever built, including my first, fired fine from
> day 1. With silght adjustments and learning the kiln, the firings
> rapidly went from 'fine' to 'very good'.
>
> The greatest benefit of building your own is not the economy, but the
> sense if empowerment it will provide.
> We are conditioned to think we need experts and professionals to
> do everything for us.
> We don't.
> And each new thing you do for yourself will make you realize
> how much you CAN do for yourself.
> And, you now have knowledge in a new field.
> Before you know it, it all starts snowballing.
> More confidence.
> More knowledge.
> Try another new area.
> Before you know it, your life will be great.
>
> If you need someone to help you get started, to say, "You can do it,"
> I'll volunteer.
> I still appreciate the people who, many years ago, put the notion in my
> mind that I could do just about anything, and I trust you'll remember
> me fondly many years from now.
>
> As for the contention:
> >We will list the best, #1 manufactured kiln, A.R.T., Alpine. #2, HED
> >Industries, Unique/Pereny. #3 Geil Kilns.
>
> I would like to give my opinion of the #1 rated Alpine kiln.
>
> When I go into the creamics room at a college and see Alpine kilns
> I immediately think, "An administrator, not a potter, was responsable
> for buying the cermics equipment here. Someone who had no experience
> with kilns, but was very concerned with 'safety' and a neat and tidy
> appearance. And had a big budget."
> If I were visiting a working potter and saw that he had Alpine kilns
> (which has never happened), I would think one of 2 things,
> "Well, this guy was on a very tight budget and found some old
> Alpines from a college at give-away prices and decided to 'make-do'
> with them," or,
> "What planet did this guy come from to go out and buy Alpine kilns?"
>
> David Hendley
> Maydelle, Texas
> See David Hendley's Pottery Page at
> http://www.sosis.com/hendley/david/
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