Cliff Leonard on thu 12 jan 12
I have a 32 x 24 inch 10 sided kiln. I fire "large" sculptural pieces an=
=3D
d
it's getting difficult to lean over and place these pieces on the base --=
=3D
especially since I set them down while holding onto the bottom of the pie=
=3D
ce.
Anyone have plans on how to build a lift so I can raise the sides up, eas=
=3D
ily
place the piece on the base, then lower the sides?
Thanks,
Cliff
Michael Wendt on fri 13 jan 12
Cliff,
see:
http://www.wendtpottery.com/tophat_circular_ring_kilns.htm
the idea is to make a hoist that uses counter weights that
weigh the
same as the portion being lifted.
The hoist ring can be mild steel and the rim lift could use
Kaowool
gasket to seal the contact area.
I also have a jack under the counterweight during firing to
assure a
nice tight seal. I have fired this way since 1974 and it
works great.
Regards,
Michael Wendt
Cliff wrote:
I have a 32 x 24 inch 10 sided kiln. I fire "large"
sculptural pieces and
it's getting difficult to lean over and place these pieces
on the base --
especially since I set them down while holding onto the
bottom of the piece.
Anyone have plans on how to build a lift so I can raise the
sides up, easily
place the piece on the base, then lower the sides?
Thanks,
Cliff
David Woof on fri 13 jan 12
Hi Cliff=3D2C
Assuming you have a roof over your kiln area and it has rafters adequate to=
=3D
bear the weight and I not knowing what amt. of money you wish to spend or =
=3D
materials you have on hand=3D2C I'll offer a simple but fool proof method.
Plumb center a spot on the rafter or ceiling joist directly above and over =
=3D
the kiln's center. (You may have to bridge between two joists to arrive at =
=3D
center.)=3DA0 If you lack this expertise=3D2C a fabricator of wood or iron =
can =3D
understand and advise. =3DA0=3DA0 Mount a 3 to 5 inch pulley at this center=
spo=3D
t. On the sides of your kiln segments you will usually find handles and the=
=3D
segments will be usually secured together by metal fixtures. make sure the=
=3D
segments are secure.=3DA0 Now metal screw mount three equally spaced hardw=
ar=3D
e brackets (approximately 1/3 distance from top) down the kiln's outer side=
=3D
s that will allow for small but adequate chain hooks to grab into.
Attach lengths of chain long enough to reach up the sides to center and cla=
=3D
mp these securely to a 3/16 inch dia. steel cable.=3DA0 The cable will then=
p=3D
ass through the pulley and reach down and over to a convenient hook secured=
=3D
to a wall. A loop clamped into the cable at this wall hook junctuer will a=
=3D
llow you to raise the kiln and secure while you load.=3DA0 Leave ample cabl=
e =3D
beyond this loop for attaching a handle of your choice.
Additional mechanical advantage (leverage) to lighten the apparent load you=
=3D
r arms have to lift can be achieved by adding pulleys mounted at a 45 to 87=
=3D
degrees angle off the angle of pull from the preceding pulley. You can hav=
=3D
e fun with this figuring out how many (1 or 2 should be enough) and how and=
=3D
where to mount these extra pulleys. The advantage to this pulley system vs=
=3D
just hanging a "come along" from the ceiling is the obvious extra "head sp=
=3D
ace" you gain for your kiln to dangle while you load your piece.
Now if you chose not to use my method you owe me three hundred dollars US G=
=3D
old backed currency for my time writing=3D2C and expertise.=3DA0 However fo=
r yo=3D
u or anyone else who learns something from and or applies this Very practic=
=3D
al method=3D2C es gratis. Best wishes=3D2C enjoy freely.....Smile!!!=3D20
I have a gas fueled set up where I have an overhead track system so that I =
=3D
can place a sculpture=3DA0 up to 60 inches tall on the kiln floor shelf and=
t=3D
hen the hoist each old electric kiln section and run it down the track to l=
=3D
ower it in place. Stacking until last section clears the sculpture's top.=
=3D
=3DA0=3D20
David Woof.....Clarkdale=3D2C Arizona......where all the girls love me=3D2C=
the=3D
cowboys are gittin mad=3D2C and modern cows don't like it when they punch =
th=3D
em. (Getting pretty sure of myself this morning huh?)=3DA0 Be well ya'll!!!
__________________________________________________________________
14. Kiln Hoist/Lift
Posted by: "Cliff Leonard" crl7@COMCAST.NET=3D20
Date: Thu Jan 12=3D2C 2012 7:33 pm ((PST))
=3D20
I have a 32 x 24 inch 10 sided kiln. I fire "large" sculptural pieces and
it's getting difficult to lean over and place these pieces on the base --
especially since I set them down while holding onto the bottom of the piece=
=3D
.
=3D20
Anyone have plans on how to build a lift so I can raise the sides up=3D2C e=
as=3D
ily
place the piece on the base=3D2C then lower the sides?
=3D20
Thanks=3D2C
=3D20
Cliff =3D
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