Kristin & Kyle Yount on tue 26 feb 02
Dear Clay friends,
I have acquired a shiny Skutt kiln from the 1950's I'm told. This
kiln is lovely. It doesn't even need a 220 outlet because get this it has
*two 110 plugs* covered in fabric no less. These wires, are also in
wonderful condition. It is lacking a timer and a cone sitter, these are
safety features I deem necessary for firing it. I called Skutt and the
person I spoke with said it was obsolete. "But how can that be?" I plead
"it is so shiny! It looks new"! Skutt rep replies that it has to do with
new electric codes that came about in the fifties....So, the devil on my
shoulder wants to see me plug it in and watch the fabric burn off of the
wires. Before I give into the devil is there anybody who knows what these
codes are and can I simply replace the cords with a better and safer
system?
Arnold Howard on wed 27 feb 02
I don't know about the particular Skutt kiln in question. But I
have seen many very old kilns still in use. I've seen some of them
at the Mesquite, Texas Paragon factory, in mint condition, sent in
for an element change.
The technician may have been thinking that the cord sets did not
include a safety grounding wire. If this is the case, you may be
able to change the cord sets. That would not be expensive.
If it would be difficult to install a Kiln Sitter, you can still
fire the kiln without one. You can look through the peephole at the
cones positioned on the shelves.
Arnold Howard
Paragon Ind.
--- Kristin & Kyle Yount wrote:
> Dear Clay friends,
> I have acquired a shiny Skutt kiln from the 1950's I'm
> told. This
> kiln is lovely. It doesn't even need a 220 outlet because get
> this it has
> *two 110 plugs* covered in fabric no less. These wires, are
> also in
> wonderful condition. It is lacking a timer and a cone sitter,
> these are
> safety features I deem necessary for firing it. I called Skutt
> and the
> person I spoke with said it was obsolete. "But how can that
> be?" I plead
> "it is so shiny! It looks new"! Skutt rep replies that it has
> to do with
> new electric codes that came about in the fifties....So, the
> devil on my
> shoulder wants to see me plug it in and watch the fabric burn
> off of the
> wires. Before I give into the devil is there anybody who knows
> what these
> codes are and can I simply replace the cords with a better and
> safer
> system?
>
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Greetings - Send FREE e-cards for every occasion!
http://greetings.yahoo.com
Tony Ferguson on wed 27 feb 02
JUST SAY NO. MAKE INTO A RAKU KILN.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Arnold Howard"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2002 6:01 AM
Subject: Re: obsolete kiln
> I don't know about the particular Skutt kiln in question. But I
> have seen many very old kilns still in use. I've seen some of them
> at the Mesquite, Texas Paragon factory, in mint condition, sent in
> for an element change.
>
> The technician may have been thinking that the cord sets did not
> include a safety grounding wire. If this is the case, you may be
> able to change the cord sets. That would not be expensive.
>
> If it would be difficult to install a Kiln Sitter, you can still
> fire the kiln without one. You can look through the peephole at the
> cones positioned on the shelves.
>
> Arnold Howard
> Paragon Ind.
>
> --- Kristin & Kyle Yount wrote:
> > Dear Clay friends,
> > I have acquired a shiny Skutt kiln from the 1950's I'm
> > told. This
> > kiln is lovely. It doesn't even need a 220 outlet because get
> > this it has
> > *two 110 plugs* covered in fabric no less. These wires, are
> > also in
> > wonderful condition. It is lacking a timer and a cone sitter,
> > these are
> > safety features I deem necessary for firing it. I called Skutt
> > and the
> > person I spoke with said it was obsolete. "But how can that
> > be?" I plead
> > "it is so shiny! It looks new"! Skutt rep replies that it has
> > to do with
> > new electric codes that came about in the fifties....So, the
> > devil on my
> > shoulder wants to see me plug it in and watch the fabric burn
> > off of the
> > wires. Before I give into the devil is there anybody who knows
> > what these
> > codes are and can I simply replace the cords with a better and
> > safer
> > system?
> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Greetings - Send FREE e-cards for every occasion!
> http://greetings.yahoo.com
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> 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.
Charles on wed 27 feb 02
Perhaps my fears are unfounded, and I would appreciate it if someone who
knows better would put in a comment on this, but older kilns scare me. Why?
Because many of the older glazes are toxic. Volatized lead will be in those
bricks forever if it was used to fire any leaded glazes. I'd get a lead test
kit and test a small bit of brick before allowing the beast into my studio.
Am I being too cautious?
-Charles
Visit my webpage...
http://www.thecreativeoasis.com/Hughes/hughes.html
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kristin & Kyle Yount"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2002 2:32 AM
Subject: Re: obsolete kiln
> Dear Clay friends,
> I have acquired a shiny Skutt kiln from the 1950's I'm told. This
> kiln is lovely. It doesn't even need a 220 outlet because get this it
has
> *two 110 plugs* covered in fabric no less. These wires, are also in
> wonderful condition. It is lacking a timer and a cone sitter, these are
> safety features I deem necessary for firing it. I called Skutt and the
> person I spoke with said it was obsolete. "But how can that be?" I
plead
> "it is so shiny! It looks new"! Skutt rep replies that it has to do with
> new electric codes that came about in the fifties....So, the devil on my
> shoulder wants to see me plug it in and watch the fabric burn off of the
> wires. Before I give into the devil is there anybody who knows what
these
> codes are and can I simply replace the cords with a better and safer
> system?
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> 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.
>
>
Kristin on fri 1 mar 02
Thank you for your reply Charles! That pesky lead- it sure does
have a way of sneaking up on you. Anyway, I will have a chunk
tested. The real question would be where do I dispose of it if it is
leadly and deadly? See what I am saying? I really want to make it
work. I am truly baffled as to what makes my kiln "obsolete".
Nevin Murtha on fri 1 mar 02
If your bricks do have lead in them does not necessarily mean you have to
dispose of them in any special way. Disposal regulations regarding lead
have to do with protection of groundwater. If you do find leachable lead in
your brick, e-mail me off list and I would be happy to compare the method
and proper limits for you (its part of what I do for a living).
Nevin Murtha
n.murtha@worldnet.att.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Kristin
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Date: Friday, March 01, 2002 6:39 AM
Subject: Re: Obsolete Kiln
> Thank you for your reply Charles! That pesky lead- it sure does
>have a way of sneaking up on you. Anyway, I will have a chunk
>tested. The real question would be where do I dispose of it if it is
>leadly and deadly? See what I am saying? I really want to make it
>work. I am truly baffled as to what makes my kiln "obsolete".
>
>___________________________________________________________________________
___
>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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