Hank Murrow on wed 11 apr 01
Craig wrote;
>I am designing a 30 cubic foot ceramic fiber kiln. My thinking at this
>point is to construct
>12" X 12" by 6" thick, fiber modules (2700* 51% alumina) and then
>construct the kiln with these "blocks".
>Now the "brain pickin'" part. Would appreciate any helpful construction
>hints regarding,
>a) the actual construction of the modules themselves, banding techniques
>and materials.
>b) anchoring systems that have been used and "approved" by the kiln
>god..dess.
>c) thoughts or experience with studio made ceramic buttons.
>d) anything else that experienced builders care to offer.
Dear Craig, these are my preferences after thirty years of building fiber
kilns:
1. Make a three-sided box of plywood to hold the blanket while you fold,
compress, and band your modules. Have a friend there to stand on the module
to get compression, while you band it. Compress to 66% of uncompressed
dimension to arrive at 12 lbs/cuft density.
2. Make some dividers of thin masonite to separate the folds and regulate
the width of the folds. One side of the box is hinged so you can remove
these formers before final compression and banding.
3. Get some #410 alloy stainless steel wire 1/4" diameter and make your own
anchors. I found that I could make much better anchors than those I could
buy. I can send you a diagram off-list.
4. Stay away from layered blanket construction and wires & buttons, except
for use as flue linings. None have held up in the hot face of a C/10 kiln
in my experience.
5. You have mentioned nothing about the supporting structure of your
design. ???
Good Luck, Hank in Eugene
Jeff Lawrence on sun 15 apr 01
Craig was wondering about fiber modules.
Hi Craig,
The 12 X 12 block fiber kilns I've seen (only 3 or four) all had serious
gaposis between the blocks after a few firings.
I'm sure Hank and other clayart experts have ways to avoid or mitigate this
problem if you go with the small blocks. Another approach you might consider
is the way my fiber kiln is built, with each wall section built from a
single piece.
I bought these modules from Industrial Thermal Systems (Huntington Beach CA
714-379-1234) and they look like a handy person could make them him or
herself. Although I have noticed gaps developing around the joints too,
there aren't as many joints to fuss over with this approach since there's
only one piece per side. You can see the inferred construction system of
these modules in the plans posted at www.digitalfire.com. At firing 276,
these big blocks still look good.
Good luck!
Jeff Lawrence ph. 505-753-5913
18496 US HWY 84/285 fx. 505-753-8074
Espanola, NM 87532 jml@cybermesa.com
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