Dale Cochoy on tue 28 aug 01
I signed on list about two weeks ago, lurked awhile before asking about
crackle glaze recipes for cone 6 firing. I got one reply from Tom Buck
thanks Tom) about addition of a few chemicals to any base white. Since then
I stumbled on Mayco's new crackle glazes which come in about 6 colors. They
can be fired to cone 6 according to book. White won't crackle ( they say)
but other get a fine crackle and colors fade. Does anyone have any
experience with these yet at cone 6 electric.
I also just purchased my first gas kiln, an Olympic 28X27G. Now the
decissions about where to set it. At first I thought in garage. Two
negatives there, open flames in garage ( we never park cars there but there
gas fumes from mower, etc.) and I would have to bend angle into vent to run
out back of garage. Everyone says "no angles, must be straight unless using
fan", and some recommend no fan due to heat ruining it quickly.
Second Idea was to build deck behind garage, cover deck surface with patio
blocks and place kiln there surrounded by steel shed. Run gas line from
home.. Originally I'd thought wood shed to look better but cost is higher
and steel seems safer. I could open doors to fire, close when not in use.
Thought of venting through roof of shed. But, do I really need to vent
through roof at all if inside shed outside that has open doors.? It is a top
load and will require a costly hood vent swing-away system. Does anyone
fire with no vents. Does everyone with vents stack them to above eaves ?
What is min. distance recommended to walls for cone 8-10 firings? Many
questions. I could use some advice or comments about things I've possibly
not considered.
Regards,
Dale
Dale Cochoy on wed 29 aug 01
Thanks Chris,
That's just the type of input I need. This is exactly what I understand
about bending the pipe. I've also been instructed ( warned) not to use a
blower to force it past a bend due to heat ruining the blower fairly
quickly. This was from Olympic personel.
I'm also looking at outside. I mentioned installing a deck platform with
sunken posts/treated wood, covering the deck with patio blocks to insulate
wood deck and installing a steel garden-type shed around it. I'll need to
install a swing-away vent hood ( I guess?) It's a top load Olympic. and
talked with Vent-A-Kiln, however they are expensive. Any ideas out there.
Do I REALLY need to extend vent pipe above roof line ( bldg. codes not in
consideration)?
Two feet to wall is OK huh, I was figuring three but that's good to know
that close would be ok. My electric in garage is no further than 18" from
wallboard and it gets barely warm, so I fugured twice that safe for gas.
Yes, winter will be the bad part, it can get real cold here in Ohio, but I
think outside in shed is about my best bet. Everyone says "No basement" and
from area heat from electric in garage, and fumes, I agree. Garage seemed
great but there is that open flame broblem and the need to bend exhaust
pipe.
Thanks,
Dale
----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Clarke
To:
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2001 11:13 AM
Subject: Re: Crackle glazes, & new gas kiln
> Hey Dale,
> I've had an aim gas kiln for about a year. Quite a new deal to get
use
> to. First thing is if it's propane don't put it inside. Propane is heavy
> and pools in areas. Second, the flame out the top will be about a foot
and
> a half tall, and a bend in the pipe won't be very productive. Kilns are
> difficult enough to fire and these kind take some tweaking.
>
> I placed mine outside and I'm at the mercy of the weather, but in Southern
> California it's not too bad. It will give off quite a bit of heat so I'd
> keep it about two feet away from anything that may burn or melt.
>
> I have a red brick wall around mine to protect it and it seems to fire
> nicer, the wind and such, and it cuts the heat coming off. I can touch
the
> bricks at the height of firing. Firing the old dog will be totally
> frustrating at first. Feel free to email me privately, I've made all the
> mistakes : ) chris
>
> here's a link to my kiln firing
> http://www.ccpots.com/html/thestudio.htm
>
>
> temecula, california
> chris@ccpots.com
> www.ccpots.com
Chris Clarke on thu 30 aug 01
Hey Dale,
I've had an aim gas kiln for about a year. Quite a new deal to get use
to. First thing is if it's propane don't put it inside. Propane is heavy
and pools in areas. Second, the flame out the top will be about a foot and
a half tall, and a bend in the pipe won't be very productive. Kilns are
difficult enough to fire and these kind take some tweaking.
I placed mine outside and I'm at the mercy of the weather, but in Southern
California it's not too bad. It will give off quite a bit of heat so I'd
keep it about two feet away from anything that may burn or melt.
I have a red brick wall around mine to protect it and it seems to fire
nicer, the wind and such, and it cuts the heat coming off. I can touch the
bricks at the height of firing. Firing the old dog will be totally
frustrating at first. Feel free to email me privately, I've made all the
mistakes : ) chris
here's a link to my kiln firing
http://www.ccpots.com/html/thestudio.htm
temecula, california
chris@ccpots.com
www.ccpots.com
Chris Clarke on fri 31 aug 01
Hey again,
You could have a stack that you build up and attach to the rook stack.
Yes, you would have to take it down and put it up but unless you're firing
constantly, it's not that big a deal. I don't have a stack on mine, and I
tarp it when it rains (about three months worth for winter) Or you could
have a removable roof. You'll be challenged by the weather but it's not
that bad, winter's a pain. I spent some firings on pins watching the sky.
If it is outside, my old school had a kiln that was outside and had this
roof thing over it. It was tin, and kind of looked like the tin mans hat
only square with a hole in the top. It was held up with iron legs and it
had a little cover over the hole kind of like a fire place spark protector
that we have to have out here on our chimneys. And hooked along the cover
was heavy canvas that rolled down when we weren't using it and tied to the
legs. It was situated in a brick patio area that cut the wind. This was in
Kansas so winters were pretty bad, I've also lived in Ohio (yeah Bowling
Green) and the winters also stink.
I hope you enjoy your new kiln, I was thrilled with mine once I learned to
fire it. chris
temecula, california
chris@ccpots.com
www.ccpots.com
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