Clennell on tue 7 jul 98
Dear David Mels got a hard on for ITC modules so he is being hard on hard
brick. I wanted to join the tango but not wanting to get involved at this
time. We are firing our gas kiln twice a week now and balancing a fine line
between retailing and making. Sheila went to bed at 8 tonight and I dosed
off watching Mad City. Have to stay off line since we make over 50% of our
yearly do ra me in about 10 weeks. Good thing I don't make my living at
this- oh yeah I do!
I am planning my next kiln for hopefully early in 99- I will use hards for
firebox, kiln chamber hards backed with softs. lid will be fiber module (if
money allows), chimney base will be softs for increased draft and top of
stack common reds cause they are cheap and pretty. It will be about 120
cubic feet of stacking space and I have $5000 salted away to do the whole
shebang. that also has to build a shelter. High tech materials are great
but also dear. To build this kiln out of fiber modules would be tens of
thousands of dollars.
good to see you and Mel wrastlin' in the playground. Wish I could come out
and play but I owe, I owe so off to work I go.
I just thought of another benefit of Viagara. Could be a third hand in
lifting in those large kiln shelves.
Keep centered- see in in space sometime in sept.
All the best,
Tony
Tony and Sheila Clennell
Box 10 RR# 2
Wiarton, Ontario
Canada N0H 2T0
phone (519) 534-2935
fax (519) 534-0602
Bill Amsterlaw on thu 9 jul 98
Hi Tony, David, Mel and others:
Tony wrote:
<< Mels got a hard on for ITC modules so he is being hard on hard
brick.... High tech materials are great but also dear. To build
this kiln out of fiber modules would be tens of thousands of
dollars. >>
Call me cheap.... Call me resourceful.... Call me curious.... Call me a
smartass.... I am wondering what goes into making a fiber module. Is the
high cost based on the cost of the materials ... or the time involved in
making a fiber module ... or the craftsmanship ... or the economics of
holding privileged information or technological means? Is there a
low-tech, cheap way to make your own fiber module? Are there a good
reasons for a studio potter to think of such a kiln? Is all the talk about
itc coatings and fiber modules just a way to market itc products on
Clayart? Who needs these products?
- Bill Amsterlaw (wamster@slic.com)
Plattsburgh, NY
Joy Holdread on mon 13 jul 98
In a message dated 98-07-09 11:53:15 EDT, you write:
>
> Tony wrote:
> << Mels got a hard on for ITC modules so he is being hard on hard
> brick.... High tech materials are great but also dear. To build
> this kiln out of fiber modules would be tens of thousands of
> dollars. >>
>
> Call me cheap.... Call me resourceful.... Call me curious.... Call me a
> smartass.... I am wondering what goes into making a fiber module. Is the
> high cost based on the cost of the materials ... or the time involved in
> making a fiber module ... or the craftsmanship ... or the economics of
> holding privileged information or technological means? Is there a
> low-tech, cheap way to make your own fiber module? Are there a good
> reasons for a studio potter to think of such a kiln? Is all the talk about
> itc coatings and fiber modules just a way to market itc products on
> Clayart? Who needs these products?
>
> - Bill Amsterlaw (wamster@slic.com)
> Plattsburgh, NY
Bill, thanks for reminding us about the resourceful, cheap etc... Too long
I've enjoyed the evening glow of light/heat radiating between the soft bricks
of my 12 cubic foot 20 year old A-1 kiln. I wrapped the sucker in heavy duty
aluminum foil. Two rolls covered the kiln with enough left for two loose
sheets over the top. I attached the foil with left over fence staples hand
pressed threw the foil into the soft brick. I'm reaching temp with one or two
fewer turn ups. The kiln takes an extra 20 hours to cool but I bet dunting is
a thing of the past. I've hesitated to report my low tech results to the
sophisticated high technies of clay art but hey for less than $8. I'm saving
energy & $ with every firing.
Joy in Tucson today 112 degrees I'm cooling my studio with fans blowing over
large areas of wet tile.
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