Steve McNutt on thu 11 nov 99
I haven't begun my kiln yet. Far from it but am planning to try the same
thing. At NCECA I asked a lot of questions about ITC coatings and I came to
the conclusion this would definitely contribute to the success of firing
different atmospheres in the same kiln. One scenario I have considered is to
line the kiln with ceramic fiber, then spray with ITC. Although not cheap,
it is certainly cheaper and easier to replace the ceramic fiber after a
period of years than to rebuild the entire kiln should my experiments prove
too damaging. I haven't had a chance to discuss all this concept with the
knowledgeable and experienced. What do you all think?
Mary Beth Bishop
Arnold Howard on fri 12 nov 99
Mary, the firebricks last a long time if you are very
careful the way you load the kiln and replace
elements.
Arnold Howard
Mesquite, Texas
--- Steve McNutt wrote:
> ----------------------------Original
> message----------------------------
> I haven't begun my kiln yet. Far from it but am
> planning to try the same
> thing. At NCECA I asked a lot of questions about
> ITC coatings and I came to
> the conclusion this would definitely contribute to
> the success of firing
> different atmospheres in the same kiln. One
> scenario I have considered is to
> line the kiln with ceramic fiber, then spray with
> ITC. Although not cheap,
> it is certainly cheaper and easier to replace the
> ceramic fiber after a
> period of years than to rebuild the entire kiln
> should my experiments prove
> too damaging. I haven't had a chance to discuss all
> this concept with the
> knowledgeable and experienced. What do you all
> think?
>
> Mary Beth Bishop
>
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com
Dave Finkelnburg on sat 13 nov 99
Mary Beth,
What you propose makes sense from a mechanical perspective. Making your
kiln capable of firing more than one way is a great idea. I do have a
health concern about your design idea.
Some ceramic fibers are allegedly potential carcinogens. I have heard
from my brick vendor that they become most dangerous after fired to a
temperature near or above their rated temperature. In other words, the raw
fiber is not so bad, but it becomes more dangerous to your lungs after it's
used in a hot face application.
I use fiber in my kiln, so I'm not opposed to using fiber, but I used
mine to get more insulation on the dome with less weight, by putting it on
top of the arch. I am nervous about a studio kiln with fiber inside.
I am no expert on this subject, and maybe overly concerned, but I think
it's something to consider. The latest Ceramic Industry magazine mentioned
European manufacturers of fiber coming up with some ceramic fiber which is
not listed as a potential carcinogen. I don't know more about it, but
perhaps there is a safer fiber for your application. Perhaps someone else
on the list has really authoritative information about this concern.
My personal approach on this subject has been, if I'm not certain it's
safe, I don't want to do it. Hope this gives you an addition item to
consider in your kiln design.
Dave Finkelnburg
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve McNutt
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Thursday, November 11, 1999 3:22 PM
Subject: multiple firings in one kiln
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I haven't begun my kiln yet. Far from it but am planning to try the same
>thing. At NCECA I asked a lot of questions about ITC coatings and I came
to
>the conclusion this would definitely contribute to the success of firing
>different atmospheres in the same kiln. One scenario I have considered is
to
>line the kiln with ceramic fiber, then spray with ITC. Although not cheap,
>it is certainly cheaper and easier to replace the ceramic fiber after a
>period of years than to rebuild the entire kiln should my experiments prove
>too damaging. I haven't had a chance to discuss all this concept with the
>knowledgeable and experienced. What do you all think?
>
>Mary Beth Bishop
>
Steve McNutt on tue 16 nov 99
Thanks to Dave for the post on fibre/carcinogen issue. I am thinking that
binding the fibre with ITC coatings should make this less an issue. Of
course there is the issue of what you are dealing with when time comes to
rebuild the kiln. HMmmm. At the rate I am going I'll be too old to make
another pot by the time I get this underway. I do like the idea of using
fibre as a blanket to prevent heat loss. How is this better than castable?
Of course there is the purely esthetic question of liking to look in a kiln
of bricks better than one of fibre. In the end, that may make the decision
for me. At NCECA I was told the ITC is doing a great job of protecting
brick, so the fibre may be totally unnecessary. Oh well, I'm still mulling
all this around in my head. I was thinking there was no way to fit in my
current space, but hired some people to clear away behind my garage and it
looks like a kiln space could be easily managed. Still plan to look at some
places to move into that are less squeezed before I commit. Giving myself a
couple/three months to make that decision. For now I dream away.
Mary Beth Bishop
Hank Murrow on wed 17 nov 99
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Thanks to Dave for the post on fibre/carcinogen issue. I am thinking that
>binding the fibre with ITC coatings should make this less an issue. I do
>like the idea of using
>fibre as a blanket to prevent heat loss. How is this better than castable?
it
>looks like a kiln space could be easily managed. Still plan to look at some
>places to move into that are less squeezed before I commit. Giving myself a
>couple/three months to make that decision. For now I dream away.
>
>Mary Beth Bishop
Well Mary Beth; What if you built a lifting fiber kiln? You would
only need the space the kiln sits in, and when the shell is down, noone can
mess with the fiber. Actually, when the shell is up above the stacking,
noone can mess with it. Plus, the 'door' is the joint between the firing
pad and the shell, so it's easy to seal this area of low pressure. I do it
with a silicone sponge rubber gasket on my kilns. If you would like to
experience the 'why' of fiber; just place a hardbrick, a softbrick, and an
equivalent volume of fiber on your studio floor and try to push them across
the floor with a thin wand. The difference in resistance is a virtual
measure of the difference in heat storage. the more resistance, the more
fuel to fire the kiln.
Penland uses one of these kilns, calling it the Silverado; and I
believe it has been fired more than 800 times, still on the original
lining. I love mine; and yes, I also fire in an anagama. I try to have as
much fun firing as I can. Sincerely, Hank in Eugene
ps: On request, I'll e-mail you a couple of j-pegs of this kiln.
| |
|
