jgirao PORTUGAL(UTC 00:00) on mon 16 mar 98
I have been reading all about top load raku kilns here in the clayart, and I
would like to share somthing I saw. In one of the places were I go to see
people working in theyr crafts, I saw what you may call a top load raku kiln.
It was encredibly easy to assemble and take to where ever you intended to go.
It had a exterior dismountable frame made with "L" shape iron, with a common
thick chicken wire soldered to this frames, all assenbled formed a cube of 1
square meter, the walls were covered with rock-wool (inside) and grabed to the
wire. A small hole in the bottom to insert a gas torch for buttane gas. This
cage was placed in the floor with a few inside bricks to support the pieces to
fire and the door was a top frame arranjed in the same way I described above.
They had a "bed" of wood saw dust also in the floor, they placed the parts,
covered them with more and covered all with alf of a 20L metal can, water with
them and "Voila" as Italians say the piece was done to the eye appreciate, I
hope I make you see the picture, because it was really beutifull to see it as I
saw during the night with that glowing red caming out from this amazing TOP
LOAD do it yourself kiln. Best Regards, Jose Girao.
Gracedart on tue 17 mar 98
thanks for the description...and the orange glow has to be the highlight (
before reduction and the uncovering of your work from the combustibles) of
raku...its such a complete process...where you are with your work from
beginning to end in contrast to electric firing....i would like to address the
issue of Fear of Raku Firing...(on my own) i know the best way to reduce the
anixiety and fear of torching everything is to attend enough raku-propane
firings and learn, learn, learn everything...but maybe someone could deliniate
the potential dangers and what one should understand when firing a propane
fueld kiln (raku or saggar)....ie...the type of gas (propane ?)...the
regulation of fuel into the kiln, etc...what are some classic dangers (leaky
vaulves) ? i suppose there is a book out there too help...
JLHclay on wed 18 mar 98
Fear of Firing Raku : brought to mind one of my funniest clay memories from
college. My first raku, just gloves, tongs,& a lined Levi jacket, the first
blast of heat I blinked & my melted mascara fused my eyes shut. Tell your
students to fire sans mascara. Ah h the 70's & college foolishness. jlhclay
| |
|
