Susan on fri 31 aug 01
Hello all,
I'm setting up a kiln on an old, slanting wood floor. The front half of my
kiln stand is about a half-inch lower than the back half, and I want to
level this sucker safely. What do you think? Should I...
1. jack it up with sheet metal bits
2. Pour a thin cement pad (don't want to add more weight than I have
to...the shed isn't the most sturdy building I've ever seen)
or...
I think I've seen a kiln set up with shallow frame under the kiln with a
layer of sand covered with brick. Basically, I think the layer of sand was
used to level the surface, and then the bricks/paving stones were put on
top to provide the sturdy surface to set the kiln on. Obviously, you'd have
to be careful to build the "sandbox" well so it wouldn't come apart and
drain out during a firing.
Any suggestions? Incidentally, since I'll be firing in an old wooden shed
attached to our old wooden house, I've got a heat-resistant mat (sold for
use under woodstoves) to put under the kiln and a sheet of Wonderboard to
shield the wall behind.
I appreciate your help! I REALLY don't want to burn down my house...
Thanks
Susan Dickson-Smith
John & Susan Balentine on fri 31 aug 01
hi Susan, Had a similiar problem setting up my electric kiln. Took a level and put
small squares of wood under the kiln frame legs untill all was level. These were
thin slivers about 1/4-1/2" thick. Hope this helps. Are you the Susan that went
through Haywood Com. College program? Susan from Waynesville
Susan wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I'm setting up a kiln on an old, slanting wood floor. The front half of my
> kiln stand is about a half-inch lower than the back half, and I want to
> level this sucker safely. What do you think? Should I...
>
> 1. jack it up with sheet metal bits
> 2. Pour a thin cement pad (don't want to add more weight than I have
> to...the shed isn't the most sturdy building I've ever seen)
>
> or...
> I think I've seen a kiln set up with shallow frame under the kiln with a
> layer of sand covered with brick. Basically, I think the layer of sand was
> used to level the surface, and then the bricks/paving stones were put on
> top to provide the sturdy surface to set the kiln on. Obviously, you'd have
> to be careful to build the "sandbox" well so it wouldn't come apart and
> drain out during a firing.
>
> Any suggestions? Incidentally, since I'll be firing in an old wooden shed
> attached to our old wooden house, I've got a heat-resistant mat (sold for
> use under woodstoves) to put under the kiln and a sheet of Wonderboard to
> shield the wall behind.
>
> I appreciate your help! I REALLY don't want to burn down my house...
>
> Thanks
> Susan Dickson-Smith
>
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Steve Dalton on fri 31 aug 01
Susan,
I would seriously reconcider placing this kiln in the shed...uneven floor
and wood. I would invest time and money into placing this kiln outside.
The heat from the kiln will dry out the boards each time you fire, causing a
fire hazzard. Check the archives about placing the kiln outside. Also,
with the kiln outside you're reducing the amount of fumes entering your
house.
Steve Dalton
Clear Creek Pottery
Snohomish, WA
sdpotter@gte.net
Fredrick Paget on fri 31 aug 01
Susan - This sounds kind of risky to me. The floor must be sturdy enough
that when you walk around in there the kiln does not rock and sway. If it
does I can forsee a kiln wreck (that is when the posts and shelves with all
the ware collapse during a firing).
Be sure to allow a ventilated air space behind any heat baffles you set up
so that the heat that makes its way through the baffle is not trapped and
builds up to a high temperature.
Fred
>Hello all,
>
>I'm setting up a kiln on an old, slanting wood floor. The front half of my
>kiln stand is about a half-inch lower than the back half, and I want to
>level this sucker safely. What do you think? Should I...
>I appreciate your help! I REALLY don't want to burn down my house...
>
>Thanks
>Susan Dickson-Smith
From Fred Paget, Marin County, California, USA
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