Karen Strauss on mon 20 apr 98
Hi. I just joined this list the other day and have been reading the
archives (very helpful).
I'm about to put in my first studio in the basement of a two-story house.
The very large basement room has a couple of windows, concrete floors and
cinder-block walls. I've only ever used kilns at arts centers for the past
two summers, but now I want to get a bit more serious about the whole thing
and I'm looking for advice that can help me avoid (I hope) the biggest
mistakes.
Yes, I also blew a wad at Amazon.com and bought lots of books, and those
are okay, but personal stories and suggestions would help me not feel so
completely nervous about this.
I've already decided on a Brent CXC wheel, but I haven't yet decided on the
kiln. I know that I want a cone 10 electric kiln with a computer controller
and downdraft ventilation -- and I like to work on large bowls and tall
pieces in porcelain. The overwhelming recommendations so far have been
Skutt and Bailey. I've been talking with my electrician about putting in a
kiln since last summer, and he's installed them before. Meanwhile, while
I've helped load and unload kilns and asked a million questions, I've never
actaully fired an electric kiln before. (I've done raku kilns several times).
And before I actually build in the whole studio space, my thought was to
just buy the kiln, kiln furniture, wheel, clay and some glazes/underglazes
to start with and use the space for a while before I make a bigger
committment to studio furniture -- )in case I really hate working in the
basement and want to move myself somewhere else).
If anybody can offer some advice to help make me less nervous about the
whole process, or share what they would consider their minimum equipment
list for a studio or just a note about what their favorite piece of
equipment that they can't live without (not a wheel or kiln), I would be
most grateful.
Thanks
Karen Strauss
ks@mwimages.com
Cindy on tue 21 apr 98
Karen,
If you can manage it, I would build a semi-outdoor shed for the kiln. A
lean-to kind of thing, maybe. Paraffin is difficult to vent, and I much
prefer using paraffin to wax the bases of my pots as it is so much easier
and quicker than brushing on cold wax resist. I have a Paragon 10 cu ft
with all the computer stuff. I've had it hooked up for only a couple
months, but so far I'm pleased with it.
When you get ready to go, I'd be happy to share my thus-far experience with
firing it. Between now and the time you get your kiln, I expect to continue
learning, so I won't post anything about firing schedules today. I'm sure
others will share their experiences in the mean time. Just e-mail me
personally if you like, when you're ready.
BTW, my wheel is a Brent B, and I love it. If I had to buy one today,
though, I would probably go for the more powerful motor. The "B" has been
completely adequate so far, but my pots keep getting taller . . .
TTYL,
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels
Custer, SD
USA http://blackhills-info.com/a/cindys/menu.htm
Daisypet on tue 21 apr 98
Karen: Some suggestions for your basement studio:
1. Vent you kiln. I have my studio in the basement and don't want the fumes in
the house. Another option is to open a window, use a fan to blow the fumes
out.
2. Being in the basement is OK-when you are busy, you don't know if it is
rainy,snowy,sunny or murky. Have a radio and a phone and you are connected
with the world.
3. Shelves and lots of them. Make sure some are deep enough to handle larger
pieces. Do not sucker in on the thin metal ones that will bend easily. I got
one set and we had to put boards across to support weight. You'll need
shelves for supplies, green ware, finished ware etc.
4. Plastic cans with lids and some with bails are available from some
bakeries, grocery stores for storage of you glazes. This is another storage
need-bottom shelves or under the table-and that is something else you need.
5. Table or work counter-I have an old chromelegged formica topped table that
has an extra leaf that is perfect in the center of my room. Easy to clean
also.
6.Wedging table: Mine is made from plywood, 2x4's and a large stepping stone ,
covered with canvas. The canvas was obtained from one of the stores that
covers glider or boat cushions-or from tent makers. It is good quality. We
got enough to make pieces to do slab work on-red, white or porclain clay.
7. The kiln is wired to a separate circuit on the box and the electrician did
a special outlet for the wheel since I was working with moist stuff. Also had
some fluorescent fixtures installed so the area is nice and bright.
Again shelves-never enough--like money and closets. You'll have other stuff to
store-kiln furniture, jars of this and that , bats, and on and on.
If you are nervous about the first firing -get a mud-buddy that has had
experience to help get you started or do a test firing-there should be
instructions with you kiln about how to do that.
Good Luck
Phyllis E. Tilton(Daisypet)
KLeSueur on wed 22 apr 98
In a message dated 4/20/98 2:13:28 PM, you wrote:
<just buy the kiln, kiln furniture, wheel, clay and some glazes/underglazes
to start with and use the space for a while before I make a bigger
committment to studio furniture -- )in case I really hate working in the
basement and want to move myself somewhere else).
>>
If you have an alternative, my one suggestion is to NOT put your studio in the
basement. I moved my studio out of the basement 16 years ago and still have
clay dust blowing around by my furnace. And this, after have the ducts
cleaned. Once the dust gets in your duct work it is almost impossible to
remove completely.
Other than that, make sure your kiln is well ventilated and that the
ventilation is not under an upstairs window where the fumes will be sucked
right back into your home.
Good luck,
Kathi LeSueur
Mudnjoy on wed 22 apr 98
> I'm about to put in my first studio in the basement of a two-story house.
I'm looking for advice that can help me avoid (I hope) the biggest mistakes.
>personal stories and suggestions would help me not feel so completely nervous
> If anybody can offer some advice to help make me less nervous about the
> whole process, or share what they would consider their minimum equipment
> list for a studio or just a note about what their favorite piece of
> equipment that they can't live without (not a wheel or kiln), I would be
> most grateful.
> Karen Strauss
If I started over again I'd avoid clutter. Clutter increases time wasted
moving stuff out of the way, developing spaces to store it & looking for it
later.
Ware boards & ware racks are my favorite time & space saver. Using boards to
move my works reduces unnecessary handling/damage & breakage.
Thinking through the process from time to time, keeping it simple, & well
designed. You needs change as you develop, reevaluate what you have & how it
works periodicity.
I now avoid dragging home stuff that I think I might use, I look at equipment
critically & ask myself do I want or need it enough to justify the space &
attention it will take.
Joy in Tucson, still not caught up from my 5 day vacation.
KarenY31 on sat 25 apr 98
I built a studio in my basement with a seperate tiny kiln room. Special fire
board & metal studs, a double layered vented ceiling, and a venting fan are in
the kiln room for safety. It has a metal folding door but this stays open
during firing. An air intake vent is located at floor level so that cool
exterior air is sucked up to replace the hot air in the top of the kiln room.
The room venting fan is thermostatically controlled so it comes on whenever
the room temp reaches a set level. This also helps to vent out the studio
dust in general. A gadget is over the kiln so if it melts (200 deg for a
brief time) the fire alarm system is triggered which sets off our home alarm
system. I want to add one more backup system....if the room temp reaches a
certain level the kiln will shut off. All of this was guess work but works
well so far.
My floors are painted with an oil base cement paint...held up well. I
installed a high power kitchen range vent next to my sink area to help vent
out dust from sanding or glaze mixing. I still use a respirator.
The Goodwill is a great source of plastic containers for glaze materials and
various mixing devices etc. Laundry boxes are also nice storeage containers
as many have handles & stack/pack well.
I'd like to devise a vacuum (sort of like a wall vac) that could be used to
suction dust from my work to the outside. Any ideas on how to build it & keep
it small? My studio is only about 160 sq feet.
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