Marvin P Bartel on thu 29 jan 98
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I am in the process of evaluating off-the-shelf kilns to make a proposal.
>Our space is quite small, and I'm having concerns about how an installation
>might become a nightmare. Does anyone have any stories of large kilns that
>didn't fit, or perhaps that met with misfortune in the process of
>installation? I guess I want to know the worst scenario, so that
>everything else will seem to go wonderfully by comparison!
>
>Give me courage.
>Thanks,
>Corinne Null
>cnull@MCIONE.com
----------
to: Corinne,
As a new ceramics teacher I was once the benefactor of a kiln ordered by a
non-potter (chair of the division) because the university had some money
left at the end of the year and needed to spend it or lose it. At the time
it was ordered they had no ceramics teacher and no place to install it, but
they were planning to hire somebody.
When it came time to install the kiln they spent about three times the cost
of the kiln to install a pole, three transformers, and rewire the facility
because the kiln was ordered with wiring for 3 phase 208 volt current. The
building only had 110 and 220 volt single phase current. Had they ordered a
220 volt kiln, they would have saved most of the installation cost.
So first get the complete specifications for the kiln you want. Bring a
copy of the specifications to an electrician, to the power company, and to
the fire department. If possible, start with an experienced teacher or
potter in your area. They can give useful advise specific to your location
and facility.
Also, very good ventilation is absolutely essential for electric kilns in
spaces used by air breathing inhabitants or workers. The fumes can get very
nasty from some of the clays and glazes.
Best wishes and good luck.
***************************
Marvin Bartel, EdD., Professor of Art
Goshen College, 1700 South Main St., Goshen IN 46526
Office (219) 535-7592
Studio (219) 533-0171
Fax (219) 535-7660
e-mail marvinpb@goshen.edu
http://www.goshen.edu/
http://www.goshen.edu/~lonhs/GCPUBLICATIONS/Bartel.html
***************************
Lili Krakowski on thu 29 jan 98
Before you buy anything--and I do not know what you are thinking of
buying:
IF ELECTRIC be sure your building's wires are up to the amperage. It's a
long story the elctrician will explain; but you need to know if enough
juice comes into THE BUILDING then into your kiln room; then into the
kiln. you do not want the lights to dim all over when the kiln clicks on
the way they tell they did all over Ossining NY dimmed whenever some poor sod "g
elctric chair! There may be a need for a brand new line and box .
Stories of people who got gift kilns and then spent young fortunes to get
the wiring done abound. BE SURE there is enough room AROUND your kiln for
safety. IN FACT check all the possible safety aspects NOW
IF GAS: recent CM told of weight on floor problems. Remember those kilns
WEIGH A LOT. Also remember that the bigger a kiln the higher fired it is
the more heat it gives off in cooling: i.e. you may make people
uncomforatable, raise your air conditioning costs.
ALSO THERE ARE STORIES ABOUT EMISSIONS AND EPA CODES AND FIRE PERMITS as
well as Gas companies not wanting to supply big enough meters.
If your case is so small an oval electric kiln might be an idea--as they
are likelier to take care of the problem of "bigger" pots
Last: a good supplier will help you.
On Thu, 29 Jan 1998, Marvin P Bartel wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> >----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> >I am in the process of evaluating off-the-shelf kilns to make a proposal.
> >Our space is quite small, and I'm having concerns about how an installation
> >might become a nightmare. Does anyone have any stories of large kilns that
> >didn't fit, or perhaps that met with misfortune in the process of
> >installation? I guess I want to know the worst scenario, so that
> >everything else will seem to go wonderfully by comparison!
> >
> >Give me courage.
> >Thanks,
> >Corinne Null
>
> >cnull@MCIONE.com
>
> ----------
> to: Corinne,
> As a new ceramics teacher I was once the benefactor of a kiln ordered by a
> non-potter (chair of the division) because the university had some money
> left at the end of the year and needed to spend it or lose it. At the time
> it was ordered they had no ceramics teacher and no place to install it, but
> they were planning to hire somebody.
>
> When it came time to install the kiln they spent about three times the cost
> of the kiln to install a pole, three transformers, and rewire the facility
> because the kiln was ordered with wiring for 3 phase 208 volt current. The
> building only had 110 and 220 volt single phase current. Had they ordered a
> 220 volt kiln, they would have saved most of the installation cost.
>
> So first get the complete specifications for the kiln you want. Bring a
> copy of the specifications to an electrician, to the power company, and to
> the fire department. If possible, start with an experienced teacher or
> potter in your area. They can give useful advise specific to your location
> and facility.
>
> Also, very good ventilation is absolutely essential for electric kilns in
> spaces used by air breathing inhabitants or workers. The fumes can get very
> nasty from some of the clays and glazes.
>
> Best wishes and good luck.
> ***************************
> Marvin Bartel, EdD., Professor of Art
> Goshen College, 1700 South Main St., Goshen IN 46526
> Office (219) 535-7592
> Studio (219) 533-0171
> Fax (219) 535-7660
> e-mail marvinpb@goshen.edu
> http://www.goshen.edu/
> http://www.goshen.edu/~lonhs/GCPUBLICATIONS/Bartel.html
> ***************************
>
Lili Krakowski
Paul Monaghan on fri 30 jan 98
Marvin et. al.,
It's a shame "they" spent so much money on bringing in 3 phase power if
it was JUST for the kiln. Someone may have realized that they would
eventually want a large number of electric wheels, pugmills, etc., etc.
Since an electric kiln is just a big toaster it could have very easily
been rewired for single phase power with the necessary economic
trade-offs. So don't be scared off by free bees just because someone
says you don't have the right power until it's investigated further.
Paul :-)>
Marvin P Bartel wrote:
> ----------------------------Original
> message----------------------------
> >----------------------------Original
> message----------------------------
> >I am in the process of evaluating off-the-shelf kilns to make a
> proposal.
> >Our space is quite small, and I'm having concerns about how an
> installation
> >might become a nightmare. Does anyone have any stories of large
> kilns that
> >didn't fit, or perhaps that met with misfortune in the process of
> >installation? I guess I want to know the worst scenario, so that
> >everything else will seem to go wonderfully by comparison!
> >
> >Give me courage.
> >Thanks,
> >Corinne Null
>
> >cnull@MCIONE.com
>
> ----------
> to: Corinne,
> As a new ceramics teacher I was once the benefactor of a kiln ordered
> by a
> non-potter (chair of the division) because the university had some
> money
> left at the end of the year and needed to spend it or lose it. At the
> time
> it was ordered they had no ceramics teacher and no place to install
> it, but
> they were planning to hire somebody.
>
> When it came time to install the kiln they spent about three times the
> cost
> of the kiln to install a pole, three transformers, and rewire the
> facility
> because the kiln was ordered with wiring for 3 phase 208 volt
> current. The
> building only had 110 and 220 volt single phase current. Had they
> ordered a
> 220 volt kiln, they would have saved most of the installation cost.
>
> So first get the complete specifications for the kiln you want. Bring
> a
> copy of the specifications to an electrician, to the power company,
> and to
> the fire department. If possible, start with an experienced teacher
> or
> potter in your area. They can give useful advise specific to your
> location
> and facility.
>
> Also, very good ventilation is absolutely essential for electric kilns
> in
> spaces used by air breathing inhabitants or workers. The fumes can
> get very
> nasty from some of the clays and glazes.
>
> Best wishes and good luck.
> ***************************
> Marvin Bartel, EdD., Professor of Art
> Goshen College, 1700 South Main St., Goshen IN 46526
> Office (219) 535-7592
> Studio (219) 533-0171
> Fax (219) 535-7660
> e-mail marvinpb@goshen.edu
> http://www.goshen.edu/
> http://www.goshen.edu/~lonhs/GCPUBLICATIONS/Bartel.html
> ***************************
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