PurpleLama@aol.com on sun 29 aug 99
Yes, I'm afraid it's true - another electric kiln question. I've searched
through the ClayArt archives for information about electric kilns. (Wow,
having the archives to review is wonderful. Thank you, moderators, for giving
us this great resource. Sure do appreciate being able to do my homework so
easily.) While I am digesting the information, I decided to start looking
through my catalogue collection to see who sold what. And then it happened. I
saw Axner's super kiln. I realized that no one had mentioned it. Has anyone
bought one? They sound great - cone 10 and four inches of insulation (3" of
insulated fire brick and one inch of ceramic fiber blanket). I would
appreciate any comments.
Thanks
Shula
PurpleLama@aol.com
Redondo Beach, CA USA
where the air is clear enough to see stars in the sky, but can't quite make
out the lights of downtown LA.
PurpleLama@aol.com on sun 29 aug 99
Yes, I'm afraid it's true - another electric kiln question. I've searched
through the ClayArt archives for information about electric kilns. (Wow,
having the archives to review is wonderful. Thank you, moderators, for giving
us this great resource. Sure do appreciate being able to do my homework so
easily.) While I am digesting the information, I decided to start looking
through my catalogue collection to see who sold what. And then it happened. I
saw Axner's super kiln. I realized that no one had mentioned it. Has anyone
bought one? They sound great - cone 10 and four inches of insulation (3" of
insulated fire brick and one inch of ceramic fiber blanket). I would
appreciate any comments.
Thanks
Shula
PurpleLama@aol.com
Redondo Beach, CA USA
where the air is clear enough to see stars in the sky, but can't quite make
out the lights of downtown LA.
WHew536674@cs.com on mon 30 aug 99
Shula,
I ordered the Axner Super kiln for school, must have got the largest size
possible. It has fired fine for one semester, I know that is not a long time
to judge, but so far so good. The only problem I have with it, is it's size.
Unless one of my tall guy students is around to get the shelves in and out,
and I have to do it on my own (which is most of the time anyway), I really
sweat it out. My feet are off the chair, my body is hanging over the side,
and in that position I am trying to hoist up a bottom shelf which is very
heavy. Not fun! But that is neither here nor there. The kiln, as large as
it is, will fire up to cone 9 in about 8 hours. It really holds the heat
too. Can't go in the next morning and unload right away. I put 6" stilts on
the bottom, and two shelves on those stilts, just to raise it up a bit to get
to the shelves better. Olympic Kilns make the Axner Super kiln. Be sure to
specify what you want it wired to. They shipped me one wired for 208, and I
won't go into all it took to get them to send the right one for 220, like a
whole semester! If you want one with a controller built in be sure to
specify that also. They sent me one with no controller built in, and I had
to order a wall controller. Since I didn't have to pay the additional $500.
I didn't care. Actually I prefer the wall mounted controller because if it
goes on the blitz, I can still fire the kiln the usual way, and won't loose
any time while the controller is getting fixed. So, I'd say, go for it.
Just make sure Axner has your order right, make them read it back to you.
Joyce A
Mission, TX
wschran@erols.com on mon 30 aug 99
Shula - Got the largest super kiln for the program were I teach. Have
only done bisque firing so far (did raku all summer, didn't do any high
firing - no didn't raku in super kiln). Seems to work well, fires to
^06 in about 8-9 hours, fairly evenly (had cones throughout kiln to
check on temperarture variations). You need to be aware of the
following: the kiln is in one piece, not in sections. The big one is
BIG! & heavy. Be sure to measure any openings you expect to go through
with the kiln. The kiln is sprayed, at least I had ours done, with ITC.
Be sure to vent very well, this coating really stinks when fired the
first time. No stink after first time. Kiln is very tall/deep. I stand
5'8" and have to stand on a cinder block to reach down to the bottom.
I'd be cautious about getting shelves that are very thick and heavy. I
got the 1/2" half round one and can handle them OK. I expect years of
service from this monster. Will post back in the future and let folks
know how it's doing.
Bill
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