Billie Schwab on sun 21 jun 98
I have a 1027 that was overfired to the point of shelf collapse. New
shelves can be ordered, however I don't know what else may have been
compromised and may need replaced. Anyone have any similar experiences?
TIA
Billie Schwab
Milton Markey on mon 22 jun 98
Hi there!
Sorry to hear about your kiln accident. Could you inform us the exact cause of
the overfiring? In other words, did the kiln sitter fail, or was the accident
caused by an oversight on your part, not a mechanical failure?
Power surges can be one cause of kiln failure. Before risking another load,
have an electrician check your building's inside wiring and the exterior
service wiring, to see if any surge damage has also occurred. Because surges
occur in momentary intervals, the possibility of a surge damaging an
electronic timer or simular device is more likely a cause of kiln failure,
than the surge itself is.
Another possibility is that your kiln's electrical needs are not compatable
with the electrical service the kiln is plugged into. If you have a 220v kiln
plugged into a 240v outlet, this may cause firing problems. Once again, a
qualified electrician can advise you on your specific needs.
Best wishes in finding a solution to this problem.
Milton MiltonsLin@AOL.COM
Tom Wirt on mon 22 jun 98
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I have a 1027 that was overfired to the point of shelf collapse. New
>shelves can be ordered, however I don't know what else may have been
>compromised and may need replaced. Anyone have any similar experiences?
>
>TIA
>Billie Schwab
>
Billie....
Did this same thing early on with a 1027-3. I called Skutt and the two
critical issues were:
1) Check the integrity of the bottom...especially if you aren't using a
bottom shelf and inch or so off the real bottom.
2) Check the kiln sitter rod for free movement and that the rod is straight.
Other than that, the elements ran for an expected life, there was some
opening of the inside edges of the bricks from compression at the high heat
and a couple of cracks. But the kiln is still plugging along (with element
changes) some 5 years and maybe 350 firings later.
I reached somewhere near cone 14 or 15 and keep the cone pack and a melted
shelf post as reminders that "kiln sitter are for when you die".
Tom Wirt
Clay Coyote Pottery
Hutchinson, MN
claypot@hutchtel.net
Jan Wax on wed 24 jun 98
Someone wrote about overfiring the Skutt 1027 recently.
I've overfired the Skutt 1027 twice. In each case, the cone-holding
mechanism did not release, and the cone became a blob that encased the
rods. In each case, also, I hadn't set the limit timer to within the
anticipated number of hours for completion, with disastrous results. Bent
shelves, lost pots. An intended bisque that went to perhaps cone 14. I've
tried a number of things, including carefully pulling out the flattish
metal pieces that hold the cone and sanding them - thinking that perhaps a
drop of fired material was keeping the kiln-sitter from functioning. Now,
I've learned to dip the cone into alumina hydrate so it is lightly dusted
before setting it in place in the kiln-sitter, to prevent sticking. I also
never forget to set the limit timer to the approximate number of hours it
takes to get to bisque.
Jan
http://www.pacific.net/~waxbing
Richard Ramirez on wed 24 jun 98
Hello,
Over heard the thread on over-firing kilns, especially with the ones with the
kiln sitter to monitor when to shut off. Remember my earlier days or still
when I rush things, that you make sure your cones are seated the right way!
Teaching students to correctly recognize the small flat edge (that goes up) on
the cone, will definitely help insure a proper firing. So look into this, if
you haven't already done so.
Sincerely, "The Clay Stalker", Richard Ramirez,R12396@aol.com
Judith Enright on sat 27 jun 98
Let us all remember, as well, that while the kiln-sitter is meant to assist us
in our firings it is still up to us to be proactive in firing our work. As I
was so gently reminded by other Clayarters earlier this year, this means firing
with witness cones and tending to the firing.
Have a great weekend, all!
Judith Enright @ Black Leopard Clayware
----------
From: Jan Wax
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 1998 4:05 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list CLAYART
Subject: Re: overfired skutt 1027
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Someone wrote about overfiring the Skutt 1027 recently.
I've overfired the Skutt 1027 twice. In each case, the cone-holding
mechanism did not release, and the cone became a blob that encased the
rods. In each case, also, I hadn't set the limit timer to within the
anticipated number of hours for completion, with disastrous results. Bent
shelves, lost pots. An intended bisque that went to perhaps cone 14. I've
tried a number of things, including carefully pulling out the flattish
metal pieces that hold the cone and sanding them - thinking that perhaps a
drop of fired material was keeping the kiln-sitter from functioning. Now,
I've learned to dip the cone into alumina hydrate so it is lightly dusted
before setting it in place in the kiln-sitter, to prevent sticking. I also
never forget to set the limit timer to the approximate number of hours it
takes to get to bisque.
Jan
http://www.pacific.net/~waxbing
| |
|
