Url Krueger on thu 29 dec 11
And I don't mean by taking a second job!
Inspecting my kiln after the move I see that
there are a few more cracks in the bottom.
Nothing too major, but...
My kiln sits on a square frame of angle iron.
If the bottom should give way at cone 6 yellow
hot stuff could fall right through the frame.
Since the kiln is in the garage the insurance
company might frown on this. So...
I'm thinking I might need a better base. Mel
is a strong advocate of expanded metal over
concrete blocks as a base for a gas kiln.
(See, I'm reading the book.)
Any reason not to follow this approach for an
electric kiln? Or is there a better way?
Thanks...
earl
usa
oregon
hillsboro
Arnold Howard on thu 29 dec 11
On 12/29/2011 3:58 PM, Url Krueger wrote:
> I'm thinking I might need a better base. Mel
> is a strong advocate of expanded metal over
> concrete blocks as a base for a gas kiln.
> (See, I'm reading the book.)
Earl, I recommend that you slide a sheet of galvanized steel between the
kiln bottom and the kiln stand. The steel will not only support the
bottom but will also protect the bricks.
You can see photos of the procedure on page 45 of this Paragon manual:
http://www.paragonweb.com/files/manuals/IM104_Paragon_Ceramic_Kiln_Inst.pdf
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
Lis Allison on fri 30 dec 11
On December 29, 2011, Url Krueger wrote:
>.....>
> I'm thinking I might need a better base. Mel
> is a strong advocate of expanded metal over
> concrete blocks as a base for a gas kiln.
> ....
Oh, yeah!! Years ago I had a Duncan kiln (it was good, liked the automatic
switches....) and it was getting on in years. One day I noticed a larger
than usual red glow from between the lid and the body. I looked more
closely and realized that the bottom was at an angle to the body, that is,
the body was not vertically above it! I shut it off immediately and held
my breath for hours while it cooled.
The bottom bricks had indeed failed and were dipping down on one side.
I got a local machine shop to make me a sheet of cold steel (that is what
they called it) that fit under the whole kiln. Worked fine for several
more years.
I have always wondered why the heck the kiln bases we get with electric
kilns don't fully support them. Anybody know?
Lis
--
Elisabeth Allison
Pine Ridge Studio
website: www.pine-ridge.ca
Pottery blog: www.studio-on-the-ridge.blogspot.com
Garden blog: www.garden-on-the-ridge.blogspot.com
Gayle Bair on fri 30 dec 11
Hi Lis,
I cannot answer your question. However when I ordered the vent systems for
my JD230 L&LKiln it came with a solid metal base (with a hole cut for the
vent) which is holding up nicely so far (10+ yrs).
See:
http://www.hotkilns.com/full-support-stand
Gayle
Gayle Bair Pottery
Tucson AZ
gayle@claybair.com
www.claybair.com
On Fri, Dec 30, 2011 at 8:25 AM, Lis Allison wrote:
> On December 29, 2011, Url Krueger wrote:
> >.....>
> > I'm thinking I might need a better base. Mel
> > is a strong advocate of expanded metal over
> > concrete blocks as a base for a gas kiln.
> > ....
>
> Oh, yeah!! Years ago I had a Duncan kiln (it was good, liked the automati=
c
> switches....) and it was getting on in years. One day I noticed a larger
> than usual red glow from between the lid and the body. I looked more
> closely and realized that the bottom was at an angle to the body, that is=
,
> the body was not vertically above it! I shut it off immediately and held
> my breath for hours while it cooled.
>
> The bottom bricks had indeed failed and were dipping down on one side.
>
> I got a local machine shop to make me a sheet of cold steel (that is what
> they called it) that fit under the whole kiln. Worked fine for several
> more years.
>
> I have always wondered why the heck the kiln bases we get with electric
> kilns don't fully support them. Anybody know?
>
> Lis
> --
> Elisabeth Allison
> Pine Ridge Studio
> website: www.pine-ridge.ca
> Pottery blog: www.studio-on-the-ridge.blogspot.com
> Garden blog: www.garden-on-the-ridge.blogspot.com
>
Steve Slatin on fri 30 dec 11
Lis -- Some kilns do come with metal on the bottom of the kiln floor.=3D0AS=
om=3D
e L&L Jupiters (or possibly all) do, and I just bought an ancient=3D0ACress=
1=3D
2-sider that has a solid metal bottom.=3DA0 I believe on some=3D0Asmaller k=
ilns=3D
the floor is made without the extra metal (and, consequently,=3D0Aweight) =
in=3D
order that if there's damage to the lid the floor and the lid=3D0Acan be s=
wa=3D
pped.=3D0A=3D0ASteve Slatin -- =3D0A=3D0A=3D0AN48.0886450=3D0AW123.1420482=
=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A____=3D
____________________________=3D0A> ....=3D0A=3D0AOh, yeah!! Years ago I had=
a Dun=3D
can kiln (it was good, liked the automatic=3D0Aswitches....) and it was get=
ti=3D
ng on in years. One day I noticed a larger=3D0Athan usual red glow from bet=
we=3D
en the lid and the body. I looked more=3D0Aclosely and realized that the bo=
tt=3D
om was at an angle to the body, that is,=3D0Athe body was not vertically ab=
ov=3D
e it! I shut it off immediately and held=3D0Amy breath for hours while it c=
oo=3D
led.=3D0A=3D0AThe bottom bricks had indeed failed and were dipping down on =
one =3D
side.=3D0A=3D0AI got a local machine shop to make me a sheet of cold steel =
(tha=3D
t is what=3D0Athey called it) that fit under the whole kiln. Worked fine fo=
r =3D
several=3D0Amore years.=3D0A=3D0AI have always wondered why the heck the ki=
ln bas=3D
es we get with electric=3D0Akilns don't fully support them. Anybody know?=
=3D0A=3D
=3D0ALis=3D0A
Arnold Howard on thu 5 jan 12
On 12/30/2011 9:25 AM, Lis Allison wrote:
> I have always wondered why the heck the kiln bases we get with electric
> kilns don't fully support them. Anybody know?
Instead of placing galvanized sheet metal across the top of the kiln
stand, we attach it to the bottom of the kiln. This prevents damage to
the firebrick bottom when the kiln is repositioned on the stand.
You could make your own full-formed steel base if you wanted. The steel
base has tabs that tuck under the stainless case on all sides. Or simply
slide a sheet of galvanized steel between the kiln and the stand.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
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