Hudson Mackenzie on tue 15 may 01
from kim kriegel (kkriegel@webster.k12.wi.us) via hudson@potters.org
I recently purchased a 2327 olympic cone 10 gas kiln. It was never been f=
ired by the previos ownner but is 15 years old. The first firing didn't =
get to temp I thought I figured out the problem after the second firing =
it only took 6 1/2 hours to reach a cone 10 reduction firing. Now the pro=
blem, than I fired the second time, I reached cone 10 but only after a lo=
t of messing around and 10 hours. I tried a third firing going off the no=
tes that I did the first firing from, after 10 hours and not reaching con=
e 4 I gave up. Are those kilns that sensitive that i'm only going to get =
lucky once. everything is hooked up according to the manual. Any advice w=
ould be greatly appreciated thanks.
Chris Clarke on wed 16 may 01
I have an Aim kiln, is yours an updraft? If it is I've fired mine quite a
few times, these electric look-a-likes are difficult to fire. I've had a
few stalled firings and few "O My God, it's only been five hours ^10 is
down" firings. Neither is good. Stacking is very important as is the space
between the top and the baffle tile (I use an entire shelf instead of that
little tile they provide). The burners must be angled right and the fire
box must be the right size.
I won't go into it in detail since I'm not sure if you are talking about a
kiln like mine,but if you are, let me know and I'll give you my tricks.
They help but aren't sure fire since every kiln is different and you have to
learn it like you learn a new language!! chris
temecula, california
chris@ccpots.com
www.ccpots.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Hudson Mackenzie
To:
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2001 8:07 AM
Subject: help firing small olympic gas kiln
> from kim kriegel (kkriegel@webster.k12.wi.us) via hudson@potters.org
>
> I recently purchased a 2327 olympic cone 10 gas kiln. It was never been
fired by the previos ownner but is 15 years old. The first firing didn't
get to temp I thought I figured out the problem after the second firing it
only took 6 1/2 hours to reach a cone 10 reduction firing. Now the problem,
than I fired the second time, I reached cone 10 but only after a lot of
messing around and 10 hours. I tried a third firing going off the notes that
I did the first firing from, after 10 hours and not reaching cone 4 I gave
up. Are those kilns that sensitive that i'm only going to get lucky once.
everything is hooked up according to the manual. Any advice would be greatly
appreciated thanks.
>
>
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Dave Finkelnburg on wed 16 may 01
Kim,
First thing, you should try contacting Olympic directly. 800-241-4400
I believe they are in Atlanta. They have been very helpful to me with my
small Olympic kiln.
Dave Finkelnburg
> from kim kriegel (kkriegel@webster.k12.wi.us) >
>I recently purchased a 2327 olympic cone 10 gas kiln....Any advice would be
greatly appreciated thanks.
Michael Wendt on wed 16 may 01
Kim,
At the heart of firing these kilns is the careful use of the damper bricks.
Turn off the lights to better see the effect I am about to describe as it is
hard to see in daylight or a bright room:
When the kiln passes 1500 deg. F, turn the burners on high. Slide the
damper bricks together until you get a 8" -10" standing blue flame. Begin
separating the bricks a little at a time until all you see is an occasional
flicker of blue. When this is the case, my oxyprobe shows the kiln is in
neutral atmosphere. This will cause the fastest possible heat rise. Too much
air cools the firing and too much gas seems to do the same.
Hints: Place a piece of fiber refractory board under the top port on the top
cover shelf as this is a cold spot in these kilns and the fiber evens out
the top dramatically. Make sure you have 2" of space between the lid and the
top shelf for gas exit clearance. Too much or too little also can affect the
firing. Your clearance needs will depend on the size of the exit port.
Measure the diameter, figure the area of the hole, calculate the
circumference of the hole, divide the circumference into the area to find
the minimum height you should go.
I fire 2 of these kilns and I like them. They are fast and easy to fire.
Practice firing neutral or slight backpressure and you will get uniform
results time after time.
Regards,
Michael Wendt wendtpot@lewiston.com
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