Lesley Dodd on sat 16 sep 00
This is my first message! I have been avidly reading the messages on Clayart - what a resource! I am learning so much. Thanks for being there!
I'm UK based and a novice to firing. Have attended pottery classes over the last 20 years and only now am in a position to purchase a kiln. Help! Advice needed!
My budget limits me to a small hobby kiln - I've narrowed it down to 3 possibles: Cromartie - Multisided Top Loader(H40S), Potclays (Etruscan 1314), or Kilns & Furnaces -Square top loader(Phoenix 38)
Does anyone have experience of these? Or can point me to other possibilities. I've ruled out building my own! Also, would I be better with an analogue or microprocessor controller?
I want to fire about once a week stoneware/earthenware/porcelain
I have a gut feeling that a multisided won't be as robust as a square one!!?? Your opinions would be gratefully received!
TIA
Lesley Dodd
On a farm in wet,windy, beautiful Lincolnshire without enough fuel to go looking at kilns next week as planned!!
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Everyone's a winner at... www.spl.at
Richard Jeffery on sun 17 sep 00
Hi Lesley
I have a Phoenix 38 I'm very happy with, but don't have huge experience with
other kilns, apart from a brick/propane raku kiln. I bought the electric to
do biscuit firing pre-raku, although one day I might just find another use
for it! Didn't fancy another go at biscuiting in the gas kiln - you have to
stand around a very long time, and even in Bournemouth, that's not the most
profitable use of a day.
Firing costs seem very, very low - much lower than I expected - for a
typical load, which takes about 24 hours from cold back to cold. I make
mainly square things, so a square kiln seemed a good bet - I can always fill
out the corners with something [ok, maybe I shouldn't].
I bought an electronic controller because it seemed worth the extra to not
have to attend to temperature ramps and so on - now this fires overnight
without any problem, in an external garage. I had one minor problem with
damp on connectors, but WD40 sorted that out.
Talk to Bath Potters - Steve Mills is out there somewhere lurking as you
read this. He, or one of your colleagues will give honest advice, even if
they aren't the most local outlet for you. That's where I bought mine, and
got good support even when it bounced around in the car coming home - Steve
got a replacement socket free from the manufacturers. Can't speak highly
enough, etc... {OK Steve - that OK for your fiver's worth?}
Happy hunting
Richard
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of Lesley Dodd
Sent: 16 September 2000 15:56
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Advice on Kiln Purchase
This is my first message! I have been avidly reading the messages on
Clayart - what a resource! I am learning so much. Thanks for being there!
I'm UK based and a novice to firing. Have attended pottery classes over the
last 20 years and only now am in a position to purchase a kiln. Help!
Advice needed!
My budget limits me to a small hobby kiln - I've narrowed it down to 3
possibles: Cromartie - Multisided Top Loader(H40S), Potclays (Etruscan
1314), or Kilns & Furnaces -Square top loader(Phoenix 38)
Does anyone have experience of these? Or can point me to other
possibilities. I've ruled out building my own! Also, would I be better with
an analogue or microprocessor controller?
I want to fire about once a week stoneware/earthenware/porcelain
I have a gut feeling that a multisided won't be as robust as a square
one!!?? Your opinions would be gratefully received!
TIA
Lesley Dodd
On a farm in wet,windy, beautiful Lincolnshire without enough fuel to go
looking at kilns next week as planned!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
Everyone's a winner at... www.spl.at
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