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shelves, posts, & kiln wash-unconventionally

updated sat 7 aug 99

 

Malone & Dean McRaine on sun 1 aug 99

Aloha All:
The 3 vs 4 post discussion is a lot more heated than I thought possible. I
use 3 posts on 14"x14"x5/8" corderite shelves for ^10 gas firing. I was
told that the 3 post system was best because it provided the shortest
distance between posts and hence less weight over a shorter distance which
equates to less stress on the shelf. This is a more pronounced difference
on rectangular shelves like 12"x24"-with 3 posts the distance between posts
is about 16" with 4 posts at the corners the distance is 24".
I do a couple of things that aren't generally recommended. One is using
5/8" shelves in ^10 firing. One ClayArter said she had done this (thank
you) and I bought them to save weight and kiln stacking space. So far after
5 firings, one of which went very hot, probably ^12-13, the shelves are
perfectly flat. I know the will warp eventually. I used 5/8" corderite
shelves in my ^10 electric firings for years and they have only warped
slightly and slowly after 100+ firings. I flip them when they start to
warp, about every 10 firings. I haven't started flipping the 14x14's yet
but will at the first sign of warping. I'm considering trying some
14"x28"x5/8" shelves if they're available. Has anyone ever used 5/8"
shelves this big in ^10 firings? As for flipping I stopped grinding off my
kiln wash and just keep both sides coated. I've had no problems with kiln
wash flaking off the underside of the shelf into molten glazes. I just flip
'em over whenever I need to in order to keep them flat.

Dean

elizabeth priddy on tue 3 aug 99

FIrst a disclaimer for anyone reading sarcasm into
posts where it does not exist:
I believe you about the nonflaking kiln wash

would you please provide the recipe of this miraculous
non-flaking kiln wash...:)

I don't wash both sides of my shelves but I do wash the
underside of my lid and have had the occassional flake

tip for tip: those felt rollers you use for painting
with normal paint, they are good for applying wash
because there is no brush-stroke to set up cracks for
peeling in the kiln wash. I have noticed that with a
normal brush application, the wash peels up as it was
applied sometimes. The "v-W" application style with
the fuzzy rollers doesn't leave any application strip
lines for the wash to peel off in. It also applies
glaze well.


---
Elizabeth Priddy

I speak from sincerity and experience, not authority...
email: epriddy@usa.net
website: www.angelfire.com/nc/clayworkshop


On Sun, 1 Aug 1999 11:10:32 Malone & Dean McRaine wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Aloha All:
>The 3 vs 4 post discussion is a lot more heated than I thought possible. I
>use 3 posts on 14"x14"x5/8" corderite shelves for ^10 gas firing. I was
>told that the 3 post system was best because it provided the shortest
>distance between posts and hence less weight over a shorter distance which
>equates to less stress on the shelf. This is a more pronounced difference
>on rectangular shelves like 12"x24"-with 3 posts the distance between posts
>is about 16" with 4 posts at the corners the distance is 24".
>I do a couple of things that aren't generally recommended. One is using
>5/8" shelves in ^10 firing. One ClayArter said she had done this (thank
>you) and I bought them to save weight and kiln stacking space. So far after
>5 firings, one of which went very hot, probably ^12-13, the shelves are
>perfectly flat. I know the will warp eventually. I used 5/8" corderite
>shelves in my ^10 electric firings for years and they have only warped
>slightly and slowly after 100+ firings. I flip them when they start to
>warp, about every 10 firings. I haven't started flipping the 14x14's yet
>but will at the first sign of warping. I'm considering trying some
>14"x28"x5/8" shelves if they're available. Has anyone ever used 5/8"
>shelves this big in ^10 firings? As for flipping I stopped grinding off my
>kiln wash and just keep both sides coated. I've had no problems with kiln
>wash flaking off the underside of the shelf into molten glazes. I just flip
>'em over whenever I need to in order to keep them flat.
>
>Dean
>


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Dave Finkelnburg on tue 3 aug 99

Dean,
My kiln wash flakes on the upper side! May I ask what you use for kiln
wash? It sounds like it's doing a great job for you. Thanks!
Dave Finkelnburg in sunny southern Idaho
dfinkeln@cyberhighway.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Malone & Dean McRaine
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Sunday, August 01, 1999 9:11 AM
Subject: Shelves, posts, & kiln wash-Unconventionally


----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Aloha All:
The 3 vs 4 post discussion is a lot more heated than I thought possible. I
use 3 posts on 14"x14"x5/8" corderite shelves for ^10 gas firing. I was
told that the 3 post system was best because it provided the shortest
distance between posts and hence less weight over a shorter distance which
equates to less stress on the shelf. This is a more pronounced difference
on rectangular shelves like 12"x24"-with 3 posts the distance between posts
is about 16" with 4 posts at the corners the distance is 24".
I do a couple of things that aren't generally recommended. One is using
5/8" shelves in ^10 firing. One ClayArter said she had done this (thank
you) and I bought them to save weight and kiln stacking space. So far after
5 firings, one of which went very hot, probably ^12-13, the shelves are
perfectly flat. I know the will warp eventually. I used 5/8" corderite
shelves in my ^10 electric firings for years and they have only warped
slightly and slowly after 100+ firings. I flip them when they start to
warp, about every 10 firings. I haven't started flipping the 14x14's yet
but will at the first sign of warping. I'm considering trying some
14"x28"x5/8" shelves if they're available. Has anyone ever used 5/8"
shelves this big in ^10 firings? As for flipping I stopped grinding off my
kiln wash and just keep both sides coated. I've had no problems with kiln
wash flaking off the underside of the shelf into molten glazes. I just flip
'em over whenever I need to in order to keep them flat.

Dean

Arnold Howard on wed 4 aug 99

Dean, it is interesting that your kiln wash does not flake off the
bottom of the shelves. What is your kiln wash formula, and how do you
apply to the shelves?

Thanks,

Arnold Howard

--- Malone & Dean McRaine wrote:
> ----------------------------Original
> message----------------------------
> Aloha All:
> The 3 vs 4 post discussion is a lot more heated than
> I thought possible. I
> use 3 posts on 14"x14"x5/8" corderite shelves for
> ^10 gas firing. I was
> told that the 3 post system was best because it
> provided the shortest
> distance between posts and hence less weight over a
> shorter distance which
> equates to less stress on the shelf. This is a more
> pronounced difference
> on rectangular shelves like 12"x24"-with 3 posts the
> distance between posts
> is about 16" with 4 posts at the corners the
> distance is 24".
> I do a couple of things that aren't generally
> recommended. One is using
> 5/8" shelves in ^10 firing. One ClayArter said she
> had done this (thank
> you) and I bought them to save weight and kiln
> stacking space. So far after
> 5 firings, one of which went very hot, probably
> ^12-13, the shelves are
> perfectly flat. I know the will warp eventually. I
> used 5/8" corderite
> shelves in my ^10 electric firings for years and
> they have only warped
> slightly and slowly after 100+ firings. I flip them
> when they start to
> warp, about every 10 firings. I haven't started
> flipping the 14x14's yet
> but will at the first sign of warping. I'm
> considering trying some
> 14"x28"x5/8" shelves if they're available. Has
> anyone ever used 5/8"
> shelves this big in ^10 firings? As for flipping I
> stopped grinding off my
> kiln wash and just keep both sides coated. I've had
> no problems with kiln
> wash flaking off the underside of the shelf into
> molten glazes. I just flip
> 'em over whenever I need to in order to keep them
> flat.
>
> Dean
>

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Des Howard on fri 6 aug 99

Elizabeth
We use Zircon flour 90%/ Kaolin 10%, on both sides of kiln shelves,
(depends which side is up that firing), this mix does not flake/lift/curl
or anything else unsavoury.
Suggestion for all mixes; kiln shelf WASH, not kiln shelf PAINT.
Des

Des & Jan Howard
Lue Pottery
LUE NSW 2850
Australia

elizabeth priddy wrote:

> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> FIrst a disclaimer for anyone reading sarcasm into
> posts where it does not exist:
> I believe you about the nonflaking kiln wash
>
> would you please provide the recipe of this miraculous
> non-flaking kiln wash...:)
>
> I don't wash both sides of my shelves but I do wash the
> underside of my lid and have had the occassional flake
>
> tip for tip: those felt rollers you use for painting
> with normal paint, they are good for applying wash
> because there is no brush-stroke to set up cracks for
> peeling in the kiln wash. I have noticed that with a
> normal brush application, the wash peels up as it was
> applied sometimes. The "v-W" application style with
> the fuzzy rollers doesn't leave any application strip
> lines for the wash to peel off in. It also applies
> glaze well.
>
> ---
> Elizabeth Priddy
>
> I speak from sincerity and experience, not authority...
> email: epriddy@usa.net
> website: www.angelfire.com/nc/clayworkshop
>
> On Sun, 1 Aug 1999 11:10:32 Malone & Dean McRaine wrote:
> >----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> >Aloha All:
> >The 3 vs 4 post discussion is a lot more heated than I thought possible. I
> >use 3 posts on 14"x14"x5/8" corderite shelves for ^10 gas firing. I was
> >told that the 3 post system was best because it provided the shortest
> >distance between posts and hence less weight over a shorter distance which
> >equates to less stress on the shelf. This is a more pronounced difference
> >on rectangular shelves like 12"x24"-with 3 posts the distance between posts
> >is about 16" with 4 posts at the corners the distance is 24".
> >I do a couple of things that aren't generally recommended. One is using
> >5/8" shelves in ^10 firing. One ClayArter said she had done this (thank
> >you) and I bought them to save weight and kiln stacking space. So far after
> >5 firings, one of which went very hot, probably ^12-13, the shelves are
> >perfectly flat. I know the will warp eventually. I used 5/8" corderite
> >shelves in my ^10 electric firings for years and they have only warped
> >slightly and slowly after 100+ firings. I flip them when they start to
> >warp, about every 10 firings. I haven't started flipping the 14x14's yet
> >but will at the first sign of warping. I'm considering trying some
> >14"x28"x5/8" shelves if they're available. Has anyone ever used 5/8"
> >shelves this big in ^10 firings? As for flipping I stopped grinding off my
> >kiln wash and just keep both sides coated. I've had no problems with kiln
> >wash flaking off the underside of the shelf into molten glazes. I just flip
> >'em over whenever I need to in order to keep them flat.
> >
> >Dean
> >
>
> --== Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ ==--
> Share what you know. Learn what you don't.