william Schran on tue 31 oct 00
Hey there. Been following the posts for quite some time, just recently came
on board.
Thought I would stir things up and ask folks to chime in with their thinking
as to what they consider the best electric kiln for the money.
I've been teaching clay for 23 years at the community college level and
repair all of the equipment (kilns, wheels, whatever needs fixing). I also
help out colleagues/friends with repairs on their kilns. I've fired/worked
on Amaco, Crusader, Estrin, Skutt, Paragon, L&L, ConeArt, Olympic and some
homemade test kilns. Each have good points and areas of needed improvement.
The Amaco aws a big rectangular beats (HF105), well made, well insulted, but
the controls were off/on switches. Newer Skutts & ConeArts have hinged
access to the workings, but I don't like the need for element pins in the
Skutt and I've had to use some pins in the ConeArt to get the elements to
stay in place. Our Olympic has not needed any work yet, but it's the biggest
Axner super kiln and I dread having to try and reach the floor element. The
kiln is well insulted though. We have 4 L&L's. I really appreciate the
element holders, makes changing them easy without damaging the bricks. I
also like that the controls are separated from the kiln. I don't like that
jumper cords are used from the control box to the element terminals and I
don't care for the connection of elements to the terminal by wrapping them
around a bolt. I would prefer some type of more secure/tight connection, as
are used in Skutts.
I would like to see all kilns rated for cone 10 to have a minimum 3 inch
thick wall, preferably 4 inches. Same for the lid.
I still don't trust the auto controls do do my firings. All our kilns are
manual and I use witness cones in all firings, bisque & glaze.
So, what are your thoughts? How about the kiln manufacturers, how will you
make a better product?
Bill Schran
wschran@erols.com
TUCKERS on wed 1 nov 00
-----Original Message-----
From: william Schran [SMTP:wschran@EROLS.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2000 4:02 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Which electric kiln is best?
Hey there. Been following the posts for quite some time, just recently =
came
on board.
Thought I would stir things up and ask folks to chime in with their =
thinking
as to what they consider the best electric kiln for the money.
I've been teaching clay for 23 years at the community college level and
repair all of the equipment (kilns, wheels, whatever needs fixing). I =
also
help out colleagues/friends with repairs on their kilns. I've =
fired/worked
on Amaco, Crusader, Estrin, Skutt, Paragon, L&L, ConeArt, Olympic and =
some
homemade test kilns. Each have good points and areas of needed =
improvement.
The Amaco aws a big rectangular beats (HF105), well made, well insulted, =
but
the controls were off/on switches. Newer Skutts & ConeArts have hinged
access to the workings, but I don't like the need for element pins in =
the
Skutt and I've had to use some pins in the ConeArt to get the elements =
to
stay in place. Our Olympic has not needed any work yet, but it's the =
biggest
Axner super kiln and I dread having to try and reach the floor element. =
The
kiln is well insulted though. We have 4 L&L's. I really appreciate the
element holders, makes changing them easy without damaging the bricks. I
also like that the controls are separated from the kiln. I don't like =
that
jumper cords are used from the control box to the element terminals and =
I
don't care for the connection of elements to the terminal by wrapping =
them
around a bolt. I would prefer some type of more secure/tight connection, =
as
are used in Skutts.
I would like to see all kilns rated for cone 10 to have a minimum 3 inch
thick wall, preferably 4 inches. Same for the lid.
I still don't trust the auto controls do do my firings. All our kilns =
are
manual and I use witness cones in all firings, bisque & glaze.
So, what are your thoughts? How about the kiln manufacturers, how will =
you
make a better product?
Bill Schran
wschran@erols.com
_________________________________________________________________________=
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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.
Hello Bill,
I know that this isn't supposed to be a commercial venue, so I'll make =
it short and simple, and you can contact us off-list if you like.
Shimpo-ConeArt only makes cone 10 kilns with 3.5" thick walls now. =
They've also beefed up element designs to ensure faster, higher, more =
even firings, along with some other significant changes.
You can contact me at : tuckers@passport.ca for more info.
Michael Leonard.
General Manager,
Tucker's Pottery Supplies.
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