June Perry on sun 1 oct 00
In a message dated 10/1/2000 3:53:02 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
melpots@PCLINK.COM writes:
<< june, i think you have a clear idea of what you are doing.
the major problem with sprayers is that they let it go on
too thick.
frosting.
>>
Hi Mel:
I've always mixed it according to the instructions. Do you make it thinner
than that? If memory serves me, they advise adding 50% of the volume of the
itc with water.
It was rather comical with me trying to mix this stuff and deal with the
compressor and sprayer. I felt like I was in the middle of an "I Love Lucy
Episode":, particularly when I inadvertently knocked over the bucket. What a
mess! LOL!
The only reason I thought about covering the kiln when not in use was to
protect those digital innards from dampness, just as a precaution. I know the
kiln itself should be fine in the shed, given our mild winters, but I'm
always wary with any electrical -- probably because I don't understand it!
I have a question for you. With this new Skutt I have on order, I also
ordered the environvent which sits at the base of the kiln. Since I haven't
seen it yet,, I don't know what I'll be dealing with if I decide, in the
future, to convert it for gas, I don't know if that vent could remain in
place. Do you have such a setup, or know of anyone who does. (Any one on the
list who has dealt with this, please offer input! :-) ).
In the Peter Ilsley Crystalline book that I've been reading, Leon Bush has
devised a simple oil drip system on his electric kiln for getting copper red
crystalline. He uses vegetable oil and controls the flow with what looks like
a hose and flow control swtich from an enema bag! The kiln shows no opening
on top. Does the drip system allow for such low level reduction that you
don't have to worry about that???? Inquiring minds need to know! :-)
Now, with the crystlaline glazes, there's no reduction on the way up, only
after you've dropped temperature to crystal growth phase around 2000F or so.
Has anyone out there tried this???? I'm curious if you could use the veggie
oil drip method, for a longer reduction firing, without cutting a hole in the
top of the kiln. He shows the flex tube going into what looks like a
thermocouple porcelain sheath and then that goes through the center of
insulating firebrick peep hole plug at lowest peephole and is directed toward
dripping on center ofthe kiln floor.
I like the idea of not drilling any more holes in the kiln if I don't have to!
I agree that you need to keep that flow going. In my old 7Cu California gas
kiln, they recommened at least a 2" separation between the shelves with not
obstructions (no cheating with cup handles sticking out into those space! :-)
Time to get back and calcine another batch of zinc for those crystalline
tests and move more bricks for the mini cone 10 in 3hrs. wood/gas soda/salt
kiln.
Thanks Mel, as always, for your wonderful input!
You're doing a great job moderating too! :-)
Warmest regards,
June
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