search  current discussion  categories  kilns & firing - cones & controllers 

kilns and controllers

updated thu 6 jul 00

 

Lori Wilkinson on wed 5 jul 00


Good Morning Cindy, Regarding your post below, I really agree with you. =
About a year ago or so ago, I bought a new Skutt. After I got it my =
health really deteriorated and it takes me for ever to fill the large =
thing. I bought one without a controller and really regret it now =
because I am not producing large loads rapidly like I was and tend to =
spend more time on one piece going more for art than production. A =
controller would be wonderful. Living 200 miles from anywhere, it is =
difficult to even think of trying to get it fit with one now. =20

Yes, I totally agree, when getting a new kiln, a controller is well =
worth the extra dollars.

Lori

Tim & Lori Wilkinson
DOWN TO EARTH POTTERY
Roswell, New Mexico

http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/1165/

-----Original Message-----
From: Cindy Strnad
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Date: Wednesday, July 05, 2000 5:52 AM
Subject: Re: Kilns
=20
=20
Roseanne,
=20
Nothing is ever trouble free, but for my money, computer controllers =
are
definitely worth the extra bucks. The farther you go in clay, the =
more
control you're likely to want over the rate of heating/cooling of =
your kiln,
and a computer controller will give you more of this control than =
anything
else currently out there. Be aware, however, that thermocouples are =
not
accurate at high temperatures. They're consistent, though, and once =
you get
to know your particular kiln, it's like having your watch set five =
minutes
fast--you look at it and almost without thinking, you make the =
adjustment.
=20
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
earthenv@gwtc.net

Arnold Howard on wed 5 jul 00


Upgrading a manual-control kiln to electronic may be
easier than you think. The controller can be ordered
as a separate switch box, which mounts to the wall. To
install:

1. Hang the controller on the wall near the kiln or
place on a table.

2. Plug the controller into the wall outlet your kiln
is using. Do not change the controller's plug if it
won't fit the wall outlet.

3. Plug the kiln into the controller switch box.

4. Mount the thermocouple to the kiln wall in the
center section. This takes just a few minutes. You
will need a drill, 1/8" and 1/4" drill bits, and screw
driver.

5. Turn all kiln switches to High.

You can continue to use the Kiln Sitter. It makes a
nice safety backup. The Limit Timer will also give you
an estimate of electrical consumption during firing.

Arnold Howard
Paragon

--- Lori Wilkinson wrote:
> Good Morning Cindy, Regarding your post below, I
> really agree with you. About a year ago or so ago,
> I bought a new Skutt. After I got it my health
> really deteriorated and it takes me for ever to fill
> the large thing. I bought one without a controller
> and really regret it now because I am not producing
> large loads rapidly like I was and tend to spend
> more time on one piece going more for art than
> production. A controller would be wonderful.
> Living 200 miles from anywhere, it is difficult to
> even think of trying to get it fit with one now.
>
> Yes, I totally agree, when getting a new kiln, a
> controller is well worth the extra dollars.
>
> Lori
>
> Tim & Lori Wilkinson
> DOWN TO EARTH POTTERY
> Roswell, New Mexico
>
> http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/1165/
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Cindy Strnad
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>
> Date: Wednesday, July 05, 2000 5:52 AM
> Subject: Re: Kilns
>
>
> Roseanne,
>
> Nothing is ever trouble free, but for my money,
> computer controllers are
> definitely worth the extra bucks. The farther
> you go in clay, the more
> control you're likely to want over the rate of
> heating/cooling of your kiln,
> and a computer controller will give you more of
> this control than anything
> else currently out there. Be aware, however,
> that thermocouples are not
> accurate at high temperatures. They're
> consistent, though, and once you get
> to know your particular kiln, it's like having
> your watch set five minutes
> fast--you look at it and almost without
> thinking, you make the adjustment.
>
> Cindy Strnad
> Earthen Vessels Pottery
> RR 1, Box 51
> Custer, SD 57730
> earthenv@gwtc.net
>
>
______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change
> your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be
> reached at melpots@pclink.com.


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Send instant messages & get email alerts with Yahoo! Messenger.
http://im.yahoo.com/