CINDI ANDERSON on wed 20 dec 00
How does one decide whether to buy a commercial gas kiln, or build one
from brick? Is it simply that building your own is less expensive? I
would imagine a home made one would fire more erratically, depending on
the design, but I know that is what some potters love.
Thanks
Cindi
Dave Finkelnburg on thu 21 dec 00
Cindi,
Jim Larkin covered most of the important points to answer your question.
This is really my personal experience on the subject.
I have two very small commercial kilns I bought getting started in
pottery. I have one larger kiln I built. First, for me, I think I wouldn't
have done well building a kiln but for the experience of being responsible
for loading and firing both my gas and electric kilns quite a few times.
Second, I learned a ton about kilns by designing and building my own gas
kiln. It took time, but the design research was profoundly educational.
Third, having gone through that, I'd likely buy a kiln if I need a new
one. It takes a fair amount of time to build a kiln (time one could spend
making pots to sell). After paying essentially retail prices for all the
materials, and possibly buying some special tools, you may not save all that
much money.
Finally, you can build a kiln which will fire as well or better than any
you can buy. However, you can also do worse. There is risk involved,
whether you build or buy. The only way to minimize that risk is to do your
homework--learn about kilns. Fire them, study up on them. Read, at a
minimum, "The Kiln Book" by Fred Olsen, and "The Art of Fire" by Nils Lou.
You've started out well by asking the questions you have. I don't think
you will go wrong either way, whether you buy or build, if you take the time
to learn about the subject. However, if you just buy something and use it
without learning about it, you may be in for a real struggle.
Good potting!
Dave Finkelnburg
Idaho Fire Pottery
David Hendley on thu 21 dec 00
The most erratic and un-even firing kilns I have ever
witnessed have all been commercially built, expensive
boondoggles. They are usually purchased by art department
administrators who know nothing about kilns, but just want
kilns that look 'safe'.
I honestly can't understand how someone builds a kiln
that does not work well. The design parameters are
well-known and well documented in several books.
Even if the first few firings are not good, modifications
can be made to correct any problems.
For those who don't want to design their own, there
are several time-tested designs that have been built
thousands of times and are proven to work well.
Just like every tool you make yourself, the benefits of building
a kiln are much greater than just saving money, not the
least of which are a new-found knowledge and feeling of
empowerment.
--
David Hendley
Maydelle, Texas
hendley@tyler.net
http://www.farmpots.com/
----- Original Message -----
From: CINDI ANDERSON
To:
Sent: Wednesday, December 20, 2000 9:56 PM
Subject: Gas kiln - Buy vs Build
| How does one decide whether to buy a commercial gas kiln, or build one
| from brick? Is it simply that building your own is less expensive? I
| would imagine a home made one would fire more erratically, depending on
| the design, but I know that is what some potters love.
|
| Thanks
| Cindi
..
WardBurner@AOL.COM on thu 21 dec 00
In a message dated 12/21/00 5:09:03 AM, cindi@HOME.NET writes:
<< How does one decide whether to buy a commercial gas kiln, or build one
from brick? Is it simply that building your own is less expensive? I
would imagine a home made one would fire more erratically, depending on
the design, but I know that is what some potters love.
>>
Cindi,
I covered this very issue in one of my articles for ClayTimes magazine.
Here's the link for that particular subject; HREF="http://http://wardburner.com/claytimes_detail.cfm?ID=15">
http://wardburner.com/claytimes_detail.cfm?ID=15 . Good luck with your
choice.
Marc Ward
Ward Burner Systems
PO Box 1086
Dandridge, TN 37725
865.397-2914 Voice
865.397-1253 Fax
wardburner@aol.com Email
wardburner.com Online Catalog
Jim Larkin on thu 21 dec 00
Cindi:=20
In making the decision to build or buy, first consider your construction sk=
ills/abilities, or your desire to learn these skills. Most kilns require so=
me metal fabrication. Do you weld or know someone who can help?
Second, unless you build a movable metal frame, including door, what you h=
ave when you build a kiln is a pile of brick and some burners. Not much of =
an asset if you want to sell it or move it.
Third, Money. You can build cheaper than buy, but my experience is that yo=
u can make money quicker (have acceptable fired pots quicker) in a commerci=
al kiln. Geils and Baileys are going to fire right the first time if you fo=
llow instructions and the kiln is installed properly (proper gas and flue).=
=20
Fourth, if the process is important to you, and you really want to learn a=
bout kilns and firing, by all means build. Do some research, fire with some=
one else, read Nils Lou's book "The Art Of Firing", and go for it. But if t=
he process doesn't interest you or is too intimidating, buy.
Good luck and best wishes,
Jim Larkin
Fox Pass Pottery
Hot Springs, Arkansas
71901
501-623-9906
foxpass@aristotle.net
----- Original Message -----
-- From: CINDI ANDERSON
-- To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=20
-- Subject: Gas kiln - Buy vs Build
-- Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2000 19:56:34 -0800
How does one decide whether to buy a commercial gas kiln, or build one
from brick? Is it simply that building your own is less expensive? I
would imagine a home made one would fire more erratically, depending on
the design, but I know that is what some potters love.
Thanks
Cindi
___________________________________________________________________________=
___
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.
vince pitelka on thu 21 dec 00
> How does one decide whether to buy a commercial gas kiln, or build one
> from brick? Is it simply that building your own is less expensive? I
> would imagine a home made one would fire more erratically, depending on
> the design, but I know that is what some potters love.
Cindi -
I must assume that you want a good downdraft gas kiln in which to do
reduction high-firing. You can purchase small toploader updraft gas kilns
which look pretty much like an electric kiln, but it is a little harder to
get consistent reduction.
With a copy of Fred Olson's kiln book, and with some careful study and
planning, you can build a gas kiln which will fire as well as any one you
can buy, as long as you take the time to really learn the firing process.
Good commercial gas kilns can be fired from a set of instructions, and you
can almost immediately learn to fire them consistently. A well-built
home-built gas kiln might take a little longer to learn, but if you really
do a good job of building it, and as I said, if you learn the firing
process, you will be able to fire it consistently and expertly. And it will
cost a fraction of the price of a good commercially-built kiln.
Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Home - vpitelka@dekalb.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
WardBurner@AOL.COM on thu 21 dec 00
In a message dated 12/21/00 11:19:51 AM, WardBurner@AOL.COM writes:
<< << How does one decide whether to buy a commercial gas kiln, or build one
from brick? Is it simply that building your own is less expensive? I
would imagine a home made one would fire more erratically, depending on
the design, but I know that is what some potters love.
>>
>>
Cindy,
let's try that link to my article again.... HREF="http://http://wardburner.com/claytimes_detail.cfm?ID=15">
http://wardburner.com/claytimes_detail.cfm?ID=15
Marc Ward
Ward Burner Systems
PO Box 1086
Dandridge, TN 37725
865.397-2914 Voice
865.397-1253 Fax
wardburner@aol.com Email
www.wardburner.com Online Catalog
Lorraine Pierce on thu 21 dec 00
Cindy, look at the plans and photos of the little square gas kiln in Nil
Lou's book, the Art of Firing...its the kiln Mel calls 'the best little kiln
in the world'. Read his posts in the archives. I believe him. Lori in
New Port Richey Fl.
sdpotter@GTE.NET on thu 21 dec 00
Cindi,
Yes, price is a big factor. Another factor, you get to customize
it to your own needs. You can make it as large or as small as you want.
You can place the burners where ever you want and what type to use.
You can even use ifb, fiber, castable or hard brick.
Steve Dalton
sdpotter@gte.net
Clear Creek Pottery
Snohomish, Wa
----------
> From: CINDI ANDERSON
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Gas kiln - Buy vs Build
> Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2000 19:56:34 -0800
>
>How does one decide whether to buy a commercial gas kiln, or build one
>from brick? Is it simply that building your own is less expensive? I
>would imagine a home made one would fire more erratically, depending on
>the design, but I know that is what some potters love.
>
>Thanks
>Cindi
>
>___________________________________________________________________________
___
>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.
Paul Taylor on fri 22 dec 00
Dear David
Could you name some of these books.
In particular one that does not use such complicated terms and
descriptions that if the reader could understand the book he would not have
needed the book in the first place.
Regards from Paul Taylor
http://www.anu.ie/westportpottery
> From: David Hendley
> Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
> Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2000 07:53:58 -0600
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Re: Gas kiln - Buy vs Build
>
The design parameters are
> well-known and well documented in several books.
>
blisspots on tue 26 dec 00
>
I responded to cindi's post before i finished reading all the mail in my
box. So i wanted to say thanks to all of you folks for your
comments.................
kris in anchorage, where winter went south.
blisspots@drbliss.com
| |
|
