GlassyClass on sat 24 nov 01
Good Afternoon Everyone,
Good to see the "discussion on degrees winding down". I really enjoy getting
ClayArt, and spend many hours reading the posts and going to look at the
sites that people suggest. I learn and get ideas of stuff to try, and save
all the recipe's that are posted that I can, even though I might never get
to use them. I get ideas for tools that I can make, and all sorts of stuff.
I am glad the list did not get shut down, even for a few days.
I hope these questions will not open a can of worms, only this resource is
the one that I feel can give me the most information.
I have been researching kilns, the electric route is turning out to be to
expensive, the house is wired for 240, only would have to run a dedicated
circuit to the backyard from the street (fuse panel is located in the
garage, next to the street) (200+ feet in conduit with 6 to 8 gauge wire,
plus adding a additional fuse box) even before buying a kiln, so far the
cost estimates are running in the 2 to 4 thousand dollar range (kiln and
wiring), and this is for a hobby that maybe produces ceramics for family and
friends (do not see saleable items in the foreseeable future).
I have a area in the backyard of about 100 square feet (10x10) which I am
going to make into a shed/leanto work area.
What I am wondering, is what Cone Level, ought I be realistically looking at
?
Is there somewhere on the web that I can go to find out what Cone levels
match What Uses ?
At the school, they teach that Cone 10+ reduction is the level that you
ought to fire to if you are doing anything beyond children's pinch pots.
Reasons given are durability, kitchen suitability, glaze effects, etc.
That Cone Level is what I have been researching with the electric kilns.
I am wondering if it is possible to build a small propane kiln with
firebrick and fiber, that will fire to a suitable Cone, so that the items
can be useable in the kitchen, or is this something that is out of range for
anything below Cone 10.
So far, all I have seen in a propane kiln type, is Raku kilns, and I
understand (been told) that this area is primarily decoration, pots to be
looked at, not used for anything other than decorative uses.
If anyone can provide some info, leads, insight, please do. I am wanting to
explore more, only am finding that am hitting a cost barrier to be able to
have anything be of use beyond just being decorative.
The school is a good resource for firing, only is also cost prohibitive, the
classes are expensive, and I am having problems reclaiming projects once
taken to the school for firing.
So far all my large slump bowls and casserole bowls have not shown up. They
are not on the greenware shelves, nor on the bisque or glaze shelves.
Sorry if the wording and thought structure is not totally understandable,
been having some head spikes (way I describe the pains that I still have in
my head from time to time), and it has been affecting speech and
communication.
Sincerely,
Bud Britt
glassyclass@worldnet.att.net
http://www.homestead.com/glassyclass/
Cindy Strnad on sat 24 nov 01
Dear Bud,
You say you're willing to build a shed to house
your kiln. That's good. You're looking at a hobby
for yourself and family, not an income. I,
personally, would recommend an electric kiln. You
can get a smaller one--no need to purchase an 11
cu. ft. model for a new hobby. I got my first kiln
at an auction for $125, and know people who have
bought them for as little as $10 at similar
venues. You can probably purchase a used kiln
locally. Even if you go for one in the classifieds
rather than at an auction, you can still probably
get a good deal. Most of these smaller hobby kilns
can fire to ^8. Well, they can mostly fire to ^10
(because they're small), but contrary to
manufacturer's recommendations. It's hard on the
kiln and you will need new elements sooner, and
your shelves will warp. Most of them can be run on
a 30 amp circuit, but better to have a 45 amp.
This is cheaper and easier than
buying/building/learning a propane kiln unless
someone out there has better info than I've got.
What cone you fire to depends on what kind of work
you want to make. For functional (food use) ware,
it's easiest to go to ^6. At lower temps, glaze
fit and body absorbency becomes a real challenge.
On the other hand, low fire work can be much more
colorful than higher fired pieces.
I recommend you purchase a copy of Vince Pitelka's
book: Ceramics: A Studio Handbook from
sbranfpots@aol.com . It will answer many of your
questions (and many questions you didn't know you
had). For lots of glaze information, try
http://www.digitalfire.com . Go to their
educational section. Warning--there is a lot of
information here, and it will take significant
time and effort to sift through and understand it
all.
It is possible to build a small propane kiln, but
I don't think you'll be saving money over the
expense of purchasing and installing a small
electric. Also, the learning curve is much
steeper. Firing is not the easiest part of
ceramics, contrary to what I assumed when I first
began working with pottery. Learning to fire any
kind of kiln and get the results you want takes
considerable dedication.
If the cost of a kiln is absolutely prohibitive,
try looking at some of the alternative firing
methods: pit firing, firing in a kettle barbecue
grill, firing in a wood stove (If you've got one).
These firing methods will not give you vitrified
ware, but they are a lot of fun and would be at
least a start for you. Search the web for
primitive firing, pit firing, smoke firing, etc.
There may be other firing venues available to you
in addition to the school. Sometimes local ceramic
shops will be willing to fire your work. Check
into it--ceramics is not a cheap hobby to get
into, unfortunately, but I hope you'll find a way
that works for you.
Best of luck to you,
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
cindy@earthen-vessels-pottery.com
http://www.earthen-vessels-pottery.com
Chris Jones on sun 25 nov 01
Hello,
I have been in your situation once upon a time. First, I would look for a
good, used electric kiln. I just got an L&L 23''x27'' electric for $75 at
the local public auction for the city of Jacksonville. There are lots of
these deale all around. They just aren't published so we all can see. THe
kiln only needs one element and some shelves. Next, if you know something
about electricity, you can do the wiring yourself. It is easy and MUCH
cheaper if you run the wires yourself.
Check the newspaper for used kilns and check local ceramics stores for
kilns for sale. You can usually find a bargain. Cone 6 electric is what I
started out doing at home, now I have a small gas kiln and fire ^10-11. Good
luck with your endeavor.
Thank you,
Chris Jones
Visit www.jonespottery.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "GlassyClass"
To:
Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2001 1:51 PM
Subject: Propane Kiln, Cone Levels, Uses (longish)
> Good Afternoon Everyone,
>
> Good to see the "discussion on degrees winding down". I really enjoy
getting
> ClayArt, and spend many hours reading the posts and going to look at the
> sites that people suggest. I learn and get ideas of stuff to try, and save
> all the recipe's that are posted that I can, even though I might never get
> to use them. I get ideas for tools that I can make, and all sorts of
stuff.
> I am glad the list did not get shut down, even for a few days.
>
> I hope these questions will not open a can of worms, only this resource is
> the one that I feel can give me the most information.
>
> I have been researching kilns, the electric route is turning out to be to
> expensive, the house is wired for 240, only would have to run a dedicated
> circuit to the backyard from the street (fuse panel is located in the
> garage, next to the street) (200+ feet in conduit with 6 to 8 gauge wire,
> plus adding a additional fuse box) even before buying a kiln, so far the
> cost estimates are running in the 2 to 4 thousand dollar range (kiln and
> wiring), and this is for a hobby that maybe produces ceramics for family
and
> friends (do not see saleable items in the foreseeable future).
>
> I have a area in the backyard of about 100 square feet (10x10) which I am
> going to make into a shed/leanto work area.
>
> What I am wondering, is what Cone Level, ought I be realistically looking
at
> ?
>
> Is there somewhere on the web that I can go to find out what Cone levels
> match What Uses ?
>
> At the school, they teach that Cone 10+ reduction is the level that you
> ought to fire to if you are doing anything beyond children's pinch pots.
> Reasons given are durability, kitchen suitability, glaze effects, etc.
>
> That Cone Level is what I have been researching with the electric kilns.
>
> I am wondering if it is possible to build a small propane kiln with
> firebrick and fiber, that will fire to a suitable Cone, so that the items
> can be useable in the kitchen, or is this something that is out of range
for
> anything below Cone 10.
>
> So far, all I have seen in a propane kiln type, is Raku kilns, and I
> understand (been told) that this area is primarily decoration, pots to be
> looked at, not used for anything other than decorative uses.
>
> If anyone can provide some info, leads, insight, please do. I am wanting
to
> explore more, only am finding that am hitting a cost barrier to be able to
> have anything be of use beyond just being decorative.
>
> The school is a good resource for firing, only is also cost prohibitive,
the
> classes are expensive, and I am having problems reclaiming projects once
> taken to the school for firing.
>
> So far all my large slump bowls and casserole bowls have not shown up.
They
> are not on the greenware shelves, nor on the bisque or glaze shelves.
>
> Sorry if the wording and thought structure is not totally understandable,
> been having some head spikes (way I describe the pains that I still have
in
> my head from time to time), and it has been affecting speech and
> communication.
>
> Sincerely,
> Bud Britt
> glassyclass@worldnet.att.net
> http://www.homestead.com/glassyclass/
>
>
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melpots@pclink.com.
>
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