Cindy Strnad on tue 9 oct 01
Dear Kendra,
My opinion--I would not be without an electronic
controller, since they're available, any more than
I'd be without a computer or a telephone. (TV . .
. well, that I can do without as long as I can
play pottery videos and the occasional romantic
comedy.) The electronic controller gives you the
ability to fire at a very controlled rate, both up
and down. You will want this feature and if you
don't have it you'll be bummed about doing
without. You can buy the electronic controller
separately and attach it to an existing kiln. For
some on this list, that would be a minor project,
but I would not personally like to have to deal
with it. Of course, it might be simple as pie and
I just don't know it because I haven't tried.
Do not accept the first price your supplier offers
you. He will come down. Think of it like buying a
new car. Believe me, he would rather make $500
instead of $700 on the sale of your kiln than give
the profit to Mile High, and Mile High most likely
feels the same way. Your supplier deserves a fair
profit, but you, on the other hand, don't need to
pay more than necessary. Shop around, then ask
your supplier to match the best price you find. In
all likelihood, he will.
Get a cone 10 kiln if you can. You may never fire
to cone 10, but they are, theoretically, more
durable (and more likely to be able to reach ^6).
If the Gare has, or can be fitted with a computer
controller, it might do the job for you, though.
But be sure it will fire to a good solid ^6 or 7.
If it's a smaller kiln, this shouldn't be a
problem. The good folks on this list will give you
lots of advice on kilns. Do not buy one without
it. Also, search the archives. There are many
posts on the various kilns we have owned. I might
say that while I had trouble with my TNF Paragon,
their new Viking works a charm. I'm having trouble
with the fire bricks, but I'm told they've
switched to a more durable brand since I got my
kiln.
You should absolutely buy a vent. The window would
make a nice addition to the ambiance, but it will
not vent your kiln. If you're putting it indoors,
in a dwelling or a building which will be occupied
during firing, you need a good vent. Seriously. If
you don't do it now, you will after the first
firing or two. And the stuff you can smell is not
the only stuff that's dangerous. There are plenty
of nasties your nose can't detect.
As you said, it is probably the 1000th time these
questions have been asked , but I've been
off Clayart for a while, so I don't mind
answering. You'll find lots of good stuff in the
archives. The address is below this (and every)
post.
Best wishes,
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
cindy@earthen-vessels-pottery.com
http://www.earthen-vessels-pottery.com
Bev Lev on tue 9 oct 01
Hi everybody.
I am at the exciting and ennerving stage of setting up my own studio and am
doing the gradual equipment acquisition number. So I'm asking for some advice
cause I'm making myself kind of dizzy.... and I'll share a bit of thinking if
I may. I use cone 6 stoneware and semi-porcelain clay at the moment. I do
handbuilding and throwing and I am not a production potter. I have been
considering 2nd hand if reasonable enough but my heart is somewhat set on an
electronic controller........ (i got a bit spoiled in the studio I previously
shared) and I may just bite the bullet as it is likely to be with me for a
long time to come.
So my first question is... am i right or nuts to be stuck on electronic?
I had been looking at a Skutt km 1027 for which there is no local
supplier,hence no local service but I understand it is dependable product.
Our local supplier carries shimpo-coneart cone 10 (which looks like a rolls
royce... at least as shiny and significantly more expensive,
or Gare cone 8.
Actually I might be able to get a used and refurbished Gare cone 8 for 1/2
and if that comes through i might jump on it.
Is it foolish to buy a cone 8?...
should i absolutely buy a vent ie. orton or enviro-vent from the start. (the
room I will have the kiln in does not have awindow at the moment. I could
put one in, but it'll cost almost as much as the vent.
On top of all that, I am also considering picking up a small used kiln ie
18inch for tests and small firings. I wouldn' t be bothered about an
electronic controller on a little one. I have been browsing e-bay for a while
now watching to see if something interesting might crop up in the northeast
or that is shipable..... and of course that is like buying
blind.................
There are lots more questions I could ask but I'm sure you get my drift. I
invite whatever advice you have to offer. I hope this isnt the thousandth
time these questions have been asked and that I am not boring you all.
Well Merrie.... you invited those new to clayart to ask questions ... hope
you don't mind
miriam shelomith on wed 10 oct 01
Bev...You do not have to put in a window in order to vent your kiln. All you need is the same kind of hole in the wall that you would need for a clothes dryer vent.
Three years ago got a kiln with the electronics. After having to watch cones for the preceeding 25+ years, I love the new kiln, being able to program for special kiln loads and the results I get load after load. pottermim
>From: Bev Lev
>Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: advice re buying equipment
>Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 21:23:25 EDT
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>From owner-clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG Tue, 09 Oct 2001 20:03:52 -0700
>Approved-By: melpots2@PCLINK.COM
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>
>Hi everybody.
> I am at the exciting and ennerving stage of setting up my own studio and am
>doing the gradual equipment acquisition number. So I'm asking for some advice
>cause I'm making myself kind of dizzy.... and I'll share a bit of thinking if
>I may. I use cone 6 stoneware and semi-porcelain clay at the moment. I do
>handbuilding and throwing and I am not a production potter. I have been
>considering 2nd hand if reasonable enough but my heart is somewhat set on an
>electronic controller........ (i got a bit spoiled in the studio I previously
>shared) and I may just bite the bullet as it is likely to be with me for a
>long time to come.
>So my first question is... am i right or nuts to be stuck on electronic?
>
>I had been looking at a Skutt km 1027 for which there is no local
>supplier,hence no local service but I understand it is dependable product.
>Our local supplier carries shimpo-coneart cone 10 (which looks like a rolls
>royce... at least as shiny and significantly more expensive,
>or Gare cone 8.
>Actually I might be able to get a used and refurbished Gare cone 8 for 1/2
>and if that comes through i might jump on it.
>
>Is it foolish to buy a cone 8?...
>should i absolutely buy a vent ie. orton or enviro-vent from the start. (the
>room I will have the kiln in does not have awindow at the moment. I could
>put one in, but it'll cost almost as much as the vent.
>
>On top of all that, I am also considering picking up a small used kiln ie
>18inch for tests and small firings. I wouldn' t be bothered about an
>electronic controller on a little one. I have been browsing e-bay for a while
>now watching to see if something interesting might crop up in the northeast
>or that is shipable..... and of course that is like buying
>blind.................
>
>There are lots more questions I could ask but I'm sure you get my drift. I
>invite whatever advice you have to offer. I hope this isnt the thousandth
>time these questions have been asked and that I am not boring you all.
>
>Well Merrie.... you invited those new to clayart to ask questions ... hope
>you don't mind
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
Ababi on wed 10 oct 01
It is not foolish to by higher cone kiln, the elements will live
longer. Stick to electric? this is my only kiln, i am not suffering!
Ababi Sharon
Kibbutz Shoval- Israel
officially Glaze addict
sharon@shoval.org.il
http://members4.clubphoto.com/ababi306910/
http://www.milkywayceramics.com/cgallery/asharon.htm
http://www.israelceramics.org/
---------- Original Message ----------
>Hi everybody.
> I am at the exciting and ennerving stage of setting up my own studio
>and am
>doing the gradual equipment acquisition number. So I'm asking for some
>advice
>cause I'm making myself kind of dizzy.... and I'll share a bit of
>thinking if
>I may. I use cone 6 stoneware and semi-porcelain clay at the moment.
>I do
>handbuilding and throwing and I am not a production potter. I have been
>considering 2nd hand if reasonable enough but my heart is somewhat set
>on an
>electronic controller........ (i got a bit spoiled in the studio I
>previously
>shared) and I may just bite the bullet as it is likely to be with me
>for a
>long time to come.
>So my first question is... am i right or nuts to be stuck on electronic?
>I had been looking at a Skutt km 1027 for which there is no local
>supplier,hence no local service but I understand it is dependable
>product.
>Our local supplier carries shimpo-coneart cone 10 (which looks like a
>rolls
>royce... at least as shiny and significantly more expensive,
>or Gare cone 8.
>Actually I might be able to get a used and refurbished Gare cone 8 for
>1/2
>and if that comes through i might jump on it.
>Is it foolish to buy a cone 8?...
>should i absolutely buy a vent ie. orton or enviro-vent from the start.
>(the
>room I will have the kiln in does not have awindow at the moment. I
>could
>put one in, but it'll cost almost as much as the vent.
>On top of all that, I am also considering picking up a small used kiln
>ie
>18inch for tests and small firings. I wouldn' t be bothered about an
>electronic controller on a little one. I have been browsing e-bay for a
>while
>now watching to see if something interesting might crop up in the
>northeast
>or that is shipable..... and of course that is like buying
>blind.................
>There are lots more questions I could ask but I'm sure you get my
>drift. I
>invite whatever advice you have to offer. I hope this isnt the
>thousandth
>time these questions have been asked and that I am not boring you all.
>Well Merrie.... you invited those new to clayart to ask questions ...
>hope
>you don't mind
>________________________________________________________________________
>______
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
Valerie Hawkins on thu 11 oct 01
I've been using a cone 8 olympic kiln with electronic controller for about
10 months now. I fire at cone 6 and the kiln reaches temp effortlessly. I
haven't noticed any surge in our electric bill (I fire 4 to 5 times per
month max).
The electronic controller works like a dream.
I don't have a vent, but the kiln is installed in a spacious garage and I
just fire when no one will need to be working in there. I keep the door
open when firing and the fumes have been no problem at all.
If I had it to do over again, I would get the cone 10. I can't even give a
reason except that it would be nice to know I had the flexibility to fire
that high if I wanted. I would also buy the next size larger. The kiln is
like my closet. It seemed so big at first...
Good luck to you!
Valerie
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of Bev Lev
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2001 9:23 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: advice re buying equipment
Hi everybody.
I am at the exciting and ennerving stage of setting up my own studio and am
doing the gradual equipment acquisition number. So I'm asking for some
advice
cause I'm making myself kind of dizzy.... and I'll share a bit of thinking
if
I may. I use cone 6 stoneware and semi-porcelain clay at the moment. I do
handbuilding and throwing and I am not a production potter. I have been
considering 2nd hand if reasonable enough but my heart is somewhat set on an
electronic controller........ (i got a bit spoiled in the studio I
previously
shared) and I may just bite the bullet as it is likely to be with me for a
long time to come.
So my first question is... am i right or nuts to be stuck on electronic?
I had been looking at a Skutt km 1027 for which there is no local
supplier,hence no local service but I understand it is dependable product.
Our local supplier carries shimpo-coneart cone 10 (which looks like a rolls
royce... at least as shiny and significantly more expensive,
or Gare cone 8.
Actually I might be able to get a used and refurbished Gare cone 8 for 1/2
and if that comes through i might jump on it.
Is it foolish to buy a cone 8?...
should i absolutely buy a vent ie. orton or enviro-vent from the start. (the
room I will have the kiln in does not have awindow at the moment. I could
put one in, but it'll cost almost as much as the vent.
On top of all that, I am also considering picking up a small used kiln ie
18inch for tests and small firings. I wouldn' t be bothered about an
electronic controller on a little one. I have been browsing e-bay for a
while
now watching to see if something interesting might crop up in the northeast
or that is shipable..... and of course that is like buying
blind.................
There are lots more questions I could ask but I'm sure you get my drift. I
invite whatever advice you have to offer. I hope this isnt the thousandth
time these questions have been asked and that I am not boring you all.
Well Merrie.... you invited those new to clayart to ask questions ... hope
you don't mind
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
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