mel jacobson on thu 5 nov 98
i have one of each.........i like the new axner one, but they both read the
same.
and work the same.
the bailey is just more fragile, with the wire hanging out and all.
of course kurt has borrowed the bailey, and won't give it back....seems
to like it a bit..............but we will take that one to reg's new kiln
and let
him take some readings........we pass things around.
mel/mn
http://www.pclink.com/melpots
Marvin Goff on thu 26 nov 98
I'm considering buying an oxyprobe from Axner to help me understand
better the environment in my kiln. My kiln is a 27 cubic foot Minnesota
flat top which I fire in reduction to cone 9 with cone 10 just starting
to move.
Looking for advice on different brands--accruacy and reliability--life
of the probe, etc. from potters with experience
mel jacobson on sat 17 feb 01
wanted to jump on this.
pete p. knows what he is talking about...he is a superb teacher.
great teachers will always look at what is new, and find out
if it can help others. bad teachers live by dogmas that are outdated,
and have no truth....and they beat them into students.
without question, my entire attitude about firing has changed since
i have purchased an oxyprobe. (i have two) what your eye tells you
and what is going on in the kiln are often two different things. the
probe tells the truth.
i would never help another potter with kiln problems,
or fire a strange kiln without the probe. i have seen potters eyes
pop out of their heads when i tell them `the kiln is in full reduction`.
they say, `hell no, no smoke, no carbon, you are full of sh**.
when the kiln is opened....`hey, martha, look at the reds and shinos,
never seen reduction like that`. a fact.
i hear old potters tell me....`hell, fire that kiln with the seat of your
pants. i know everything there is to know about firing`. well that is
arrogant and stupid. we do not know everything...good tools help us
learn, and there is a great deal more to learn.
the probe is about better pots, and in the long run you may see a
major drop in your fuel bill. that is just the bonus.
you do not have to own one, but if you can get your kiln analyzed by
someone that has one, take the opportunity.
we do not use the probe very much at the farm....but, we have used
it to find the proper settings for good reduction, and we do not have
to use it for every firing.
i thank nils for two major contributions to my pottery.
ITC and oxyprobes. they have made a difference in my pots.
and i save about 35% in my fuel bill.
the probe is a sensitive tool....it must have care. it cannot
be thrown around. mine have failed...then it is repair time.
just like any good tool. it must be maintained.
mel
vinegar mixed with ammonia, a perfect helper to get long clay.
same as the old story of oriental potters pee ing on their clay.
same stuff, no ick. i think it is just fertilizer for the clay.
From:
Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.
web site: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
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