vince pitelka on thu 10 may 01
> I know the holes are small (1/4"), but I'm worried about the jostling,
> especially since there's a sheet metal guard on top of my lid. The store I
> bought both kiln & vent from said, "don't worry... just start the hole w/
a
> sheet metal drill bit & then do the rest by hand."
Susan -
Don't worry about drilling the holes - it will not hurt the lid at all. Be
sure to drill the hole away from the crack. And if there is just one crack
in the lid, as long as you maintain tension in the little strap clamps on
the back side of the lid it will not get any worse and will not cause any
problems. Also, be sure to always close the lid very gently. That is what
kills kiln lids. Drop them just once and they often will crack beyond
repair. Should you have to repair the crack in your lid at some time, I
have given instructions on how to do that on Clayart and you can probably
find it in the archives, or you can always email me and I will tell you how
to do it. It is not difficult.
The strap clamps have small hose-clamp-type hex-screw tightners, usually on
the back side of the lid. Spray a little WD-40 on them and then use a
straight screwdriver or preferably a 5/16" socket wrench or nut-driver to
tighten them securely.
I have no idea what your dealer was refering to when they said to use a
sheet-metal drill. There is no such thing. And what did they mean when
they said to drill the rest of the way by hand?? Use an electric drill to
drill the hole. Use a normal 1/4" HSS (high-speed steel) drill bit to drill
through the sheet metal, and then use either a 1/4" masonry drill bit, or
any cheap or old drill bit to drill the rest of the way through the IFB.
The masonry bit will work best, and it is a good thing to have around. It
is not expensive, and you can get it at any hardware store.
Good luck -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
Susan on thu 10 may 01
Hi, all,
I've purchased a used Bailey electric with the usual nicks, dings, and
cracks in its firebrick.. nothing extreme, but the lid is definitely
cracked. I have also purchased an Orton downdraft kilnvent. I was getting
ready to set this puppy up, and noticed that I'm supposed to be drilling
holes in the lid. Has anyone tried to do this with a lid that's already
cracked? I have terrifying visions of the whole lid dropping into the kiln.
I know the holes are small (1/4"), but I'm worried about the jostling,
especially since there's a sheet metal guard on top of my lid. The store I
bought both kiln & vent from said, "don't worry... just start the hole w/ a
sheet metal drill bit & then do the rest by hand." Anybody have any
corroborating or conflicting ideas?
Thanks for your help!
Susan
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