Don Hunt on thu 21 sep 00
I noticed there are some people interested in front loading electric
kilns.
In cruising Ebay tonight, I see one that might be interesting to anyone
close
to Atlanta. Go to "everything else" and search on kiln.
Dwiggins, Sandra (NCI) on wed 6 jun 01
Hi people--
Has anybody had experience with the new front loader that paragon is
advertising? or do you know of another moderately priced front-loader? I
think that is definitely the way to go to spare my already weak back.
If you reply to me privately, I'll post a summary to the list.
Thanks,
Sandy
mike flaherty on mon 30 apr 12
is it really easier to load a front-loading electric kiln than a top load=
=3D
er? say for=3D20
instance i have a 50-100 pound sculpture (and someone to help me) is it g=
=3D
oing=3D20
to be easier to get this into a front or top loader? i've used plenty of=
=3D
front=3D20
loading reduction kilns and have often found it to be extremely difficult=
=3D
to load=3D20
heavy objects into them.
i ask because i've been requested to buy a new kiln for my university stu=
=3D
dio=3D20
and a front-loader was suggested because it should be easier to load. i'=
=3D
m also=3D20
investigating a front-loading electric car kiln, but this adds to the cos=
=3D
t=3D20
significantly. any suggestions for a kiln to fire large wares in that is=
=3D
easy on=3D20
the body for loading?
Pottery by John on mon 30 apr 12
Mike,
You don't say how large a kiln you are looking for, but did say electric.
Have you looked at the Skutt Transformer kiln package?
http://www.skutt.com/transformer/
You set the object then add sections (up to 77 inches) until you have
achieved the height needed. That way you would be loading the work onto the
base with full access. It appears to be a package for taking several kilns
and using a control configuration to utilize them as one kiln occasionally.
When you aren't loading the biggest work, you have multiple kilns.
John Lowes
Sandy Springs, Georgia
http://wynhillpottery.weebly.com/
Snail Scott on mon 30 apr 12
On Apr 30, 2012, at 8:47 AM, mike flaherty wrote:
> is it really easier to load a front-loading electric kiln than a top =3D
loader? say for=3D20
> instance i have a 50-100 pound sculpture (and someone to help me) is =3D
it going=3D20
> to be easier to get this into a front or top loader?
I have loaded quite a few 100#+ sculptures singlehandedly=3D20
into front-loading kilns. (Not electric ones, but the geometry=3D20
remains the same.)=3D20
Set up a platform at the height of the kiln shelf you=3D20
are preparing to load, flush with the shelf. (A plywood=3D20
board on bricks, an actual table, whatever.) Sprinkle=3D20
the platform AND the shelf with grog. Place the sculpture=3D20
on the platform, and SHOVE. The grog will act a ball=3D20
bearings and let the art slide freely. If the art has just=3D20
a few small points of contact with the shelf (rather than=3D20
a wide flat bottom), use a firing slab underneath.
It will be necessary to put a few posts or other spacers=3D20
behind the shelf, to keep it form getting shoved back=3D20
flush against the back wall of the kiln. This allows the=3D20
grog to fall off the back edge without getting into the=3D20
elements.=3D20
I personally use a top-loader. I unstack it to load the=3D20
large work, then re-stack it around the art. (Some kilns
come apart more easily than others.) This takes two=3D20
people, but this method allows you to lift the art from=3D20
both sides. (You can also use the 'shove' technique,=3D20
but you will need to get more creative to keep the=3D20
kiln shelf in place with no back wall behind it.) For=3D20
me, the clincher is that top-loaders are cheap. Front-
loaders are a big chunk of change for that welded=3D20
frame, etc. Not worth it for me, but for a well- funded=3D20
institution, the equation is different. Unstacking an=3D20
electric top-loader is an opportunity for damage,=3D20
every time, so a front-loader will probably stand the=3D20
wear and tear a lot longer. On the other hand, I'd=3D20
guess that not every load will be big sculpture, and=3D20
unstacking the kiln may not be an everyday occurance.
If so, buying a front-loader for that occasional usage=3D20
may not make sense.=3D20
Note: resist the temptation to just lean over the rim to=3D20
load big work into a top-loader. Weight on the rim can=3D20
do serious damage to the ring and to the floor of the=3D20
kiln if repeated too often. Remember, the kiln stand=3D20
doesn't sit directly under the walls!
-Snail=3D
Arnold Howard on mon 30 apr 12
On 4/30/2012 8:47 AM, mike flaherty wrote:
> is it really easier to load a front-loading electric kiln than a top load=
er? say for
> instance i have a 50-100 pound sculpture (and someone to help me) is it g=
oing
> to be easier to get this into a front or top loader?
The only way to know this for sure is to try it yourself. Load a typical
100-pound piece into a top-loading kiln. Then figure the floor height of
a front-loader you are considering. Add the height of posts and a shelf,
and load the same piece horizontally onto a table at that height.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
mike flaherty on mon 30 apr 12
thanks john, i haven't seen that one before.=3DA0 i will take it into consi=
de=3D
ration.
John Post on mon 30 apr 12
I have used both front loading and top loading electrics. The front
loading ones are "easier" for big sculptures but not necessarily
easy. If you are moving big clay objects it is important to plan
ahead and have help when lifting things.
When I was working at a local college that had a large front loading
electric kiln I made some tall sculptures. In order to move and load
them easily I made a rolling stand that had a platform that was 1/2 an
inch taller than the floor of the electric kiln floor. I would make
the sculptures on a kiln shelf and then roll the platform cart right
up to the front door of the kiln and then slide the shelf and
sculpture into the kiln.
If you build one of these rolling platforms, buy the wheels first and
remember to include them when calculating how how to build it.
John Post
Sterling Heights, Michigan
http://www.johnpost.us
Follow me on Twitter
https://twitter.com/UCSArtTeacher
On Apr 30, 2012, at 9:47 AM, mike flaherty wrote:
> is it really easier to load a front-loading electric kiln than a top
> loader? say for
> instance i have a 50-100 pound sculpture (and someone to help me) is
> it going
> to be easier to get this into a front or top loader? i've used
> plenty of front
> loading reduction kilns and have often found it to be extremely
> difficult to load
> heavy objects into them.
>
> i ask because i've been requested to buy a new kiln for my
> university studio
> and a front-loader was suggested because it should be easier to
> load. i'm also
> investigating a front-loading electric car kiln, but this adds to
> the cost
> significantly. any suggestions for a kiln to fire large wares in
> that is easy on
> the body for loading?
Patty Kaliher on mon 30 apr 12
I have seen pictures of the following: Front loading kiln, floor of kiln i=
s
brick thickness off the ground, (3-6"), a ladder is laid down so the top is
in the kiln, large ceramic creation is set on cardboard on the ladder and
slid up the ladder into the kiln. Ladder removed, kiln closed and fired.
A top loading kiln could do the same with rings removed and replace rings
after piece is sitting on the bottom of the kiln. I make small porcelain
cups and bowls so I do not speak from experience.
Patty Kaliher
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of mike flaherty
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2012 3:48 AM
To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: front loading electric kiln
is it really easier to load a front-loading electric kiln than a top loader=
?
say for instance i have a 50-100 pound sculpture (and someone to help me) i=
s
it going to be easier to get this into a front or top loader? i've used
plenty of front loading reduction kilns and have often found it to be
extremely difficult to load heavy objects into them.
i ask because i've been requested to buy a new kiln for my university studi=
o
and a front-loader was suggested because it should be easier to load. i'm
also investigating a front-loading electric car kiln, but this adds to the
cost significantly. any suggestions for a kiln to fire large wares in that
is easy on the body for loading?
-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2411/4967 - Release Date: 04/29/12
Ben Morrison on mon 30 apr 12
I've loaded 100 - 150 lb pots in a top loading kiln before. We used a king =
=3D
size sheet and me and another guy lifted it up and lowered gently into the =
=3D
largest round skutt they make. Then we had to flip the lid upside down to m=
=3D
ake it shorter and stack a row of soft bricks around the top. Strap them in=
=3D
with a steel wire and set the lid on top. Popped it off in the bisque on a=
=3D
slow set of ramps. It sounds harder than it really was really.=3D0A=3D0A-B=
en=3D
=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A________________________________=3D0A From: Patty Kalih=
er PATTYKALIHER.COM>=3D0ATo: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG =3D0ASent: Monday, April=
30,=3D
2012 1:33 PM=3D0ASubject: Re: front loading electric kiln=3D0A =3D0AI have=
seen =3D
pictures of the following:=3DA0 Front loading kiln, floor of kiln is=3D0Abr=
ick =3D
thickness off the ground, (3-6"), a ladder is laid down so the top is=3D0Ai=
n =3D
the kiln, large ceramic creation is set on cardboard on the ladder and=3D0A=
sl=3D
id up the ladder into the kiln.=3DA0 Ladder removed, kiln closed and fired.=
=3D
=3D0A=3D0AA top loading kiln could do the same with rings removed and repla=
ce r=3D
ings=3D0Aafter piece is sitting on the bottom of the kiln.=3DA0 I make smal=
l po=3D
rcelain=3D0Acups and bowls so I do not speak from experience.=3D0A=3D0APatt=
y Kali=3D
her=3D0A=3D0A-----Original Message-----=3D0AFrom: Clayart [mailto:Clayart@L=
SV.CER=3D
AMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of mike flaherty=3D0ASent: Monday, April 30, 2012 3:48=
A=3D
M=3D0ATo: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=3D0ASubject: front loading electric kiln=
=3D0A=3D
=3D0Ais it really easier to load a front-loading electric kiln than a top l=
oa=3D
der?=3D0Asay for instance i have a 50-100 pound sculpture (and someone to h=
el=3D
p me) is=3D0Ait going to be easier to get this into a front or top loader?=
=3DA0=3D
i've used=3D0Aplenty of front loading reduction kilns and have often found=
i=3D
t to be=3D0Aextremely difficult to load heavy objects into them.=3D0A=3D0Ai=
ask b=3D
ecause i've been requested to buy a new kiln for my university studio=3D0Aa=
nd=3D
a front-loader was suggested because it should be easier to load.=3DA0 i'm=
=3D
=3D0Aalso investigating a front-loading electric car kiln, but this adds to=
t=3D
he=3D0Acost significantly.=3DA0 any suggestions for a kiln to fire large wa=
res =3D
in that=3D0Ais easy on the body for loading?=3D0A=3D0A-----=3D0ANo virus fo=
und in t=3D
his message.=3D0AChecked by AVG - www.avg.com=3D0AVersion: 2012.0.1913 / Vi=
rus =3D
Database: 2411/4967 - Release Date: 04/29/12
Michael Wendt on mon 30 apr 12
look in Mel's kiln book at the top portion hoist
kiln I build.
It would be easy to make a hoist for an
electric and even stack two bodies atop each other for a 54"
tall electric.
Regards,
Michael Wendt
see:
http://www.wendtpottery.com/equip.htm
near the bottom of the page
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