Fara Shimbo on wed 6 mar 02
Hi, All,
I notice there are a few kiln manufacturers on this list,
so I wanted to throw out an idea to you guys.
I don't know if there would be a market for an electric
kiln specifically designed for crystalline glazing, but
I know I'd love one; and since the crystalline-ceramics
site gets between 300 and 500 hits a week, there's got to
be some market. Having done this type of work for a few
years, I have some ideas on what the perfect crystalline
kiln should have. Please, one of you, or all of you,
give this a thought.
A crystalline kiln should have:
* 3 inch firebrick, or, better yet, a way to put a ceramic
fibre blacket on the lid and around the outside, like you
do when you insulate a water heater. Maybe the blanket
could have a steel frame with a couple of hinges. This
would help with energy costs and on the problem of keeping
the firing curve steep at the top. Then it could be
temporarily removed to help drop the temperature quickly,
and replaced again to help save heat and energy during a soak.
* a dead easy way to change the elements. I get maybe
40 satisfactory firings from a set of elements, and since
I fire at least twice a week that means lots of changes.
To me changing elements is right up there with filling out
income tax forms and sitting through long dental procedures
in general awfulness.
* A top spy hole that is tilted downward in such a way
that if one shines a halogen flashlight into this hole,
the light will shine on a pot and be visible
from the next spy hole down. This way one can stop
the firing when one has just the right amount and size
of crystals.
* Kiln shelves with small holes (say about 4cm in diameter),
either in the middle or in a triangular pattern on the shelves,
for those of us who, knowing full well we are voiding our
warranties, are going to reduce in our electric kilns.
This will help with internal air flow. Actually, this would
be good for any kiln, especially those with envirovents and
such.
* A remote alarm! I just got a new Skutt, with a controller,
which has an alarm on it. This is great! But the alarm
rings in the garage, where the kiln is, and I'm usually in
the studio, well out of range. Can you make a kiln
controller that has a little radio do-dah that will allow
a little receiver do-dah in the studio, or the house,
or the barn, to sound?
Well, those are my ideas for what they're worth.
Fa
--
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fara Shimbo, Certified Public Nuisance, Master Crystallier
Shimbo Pottery, Hygiene, Colorado, USA
crystalline-ceramics.info ++ shimbopottery.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"It's great to be known. It's even better to be known
as 'strange.'" -- Kaga Takeshi
Cheryl Hoffman on wed 6 mar 02
In a message dated 03/06/02 9:08:02 AM Eastern Standard Time,
shimbo@CRYSTALLINE-CERAMICS.INFO writes:
> * A remote alarm! I just got a new Skutt, with a controller,
> which has an alarm on it. This is great! But the alarm
> rings in the garage, where the kiln is, and I'm usually in
> the studio, well out of range. Can you make a kiln
> controller that has a little radio do-dah that will allow
> a little receiver do-dah in the studio, or the house,
> or the barn, to sound?
>
>
Since I fire at night, and since those days of being able to pull an
all-nighter are long gone, I got one of those baby monitors from a garage
sale -- $5. I place the monitor on my night stand and the base in the garage
and can hear every sound the kiln makes. Cheap solution and peace of mind.
Cher
Marianne Lombardo on wed 6 mar 02
Those are great ideas, especially the spy hole on top. For a remote alarm,
I use my grandaughter's baby monitor now that she has outgrown the need for
it. The receiver is portable so I can carry it to whatever room I am in,
and I can hear the kiln sitter drop when it shuts off.
> * A remote alarm! I just got a new Skutt, with a controller,
> which has an alarm on it. This is great! But the alarm
> rings in the garage, where the kiln is, and I'm usually in
> the studio, well out of range. Can you make a kiln
> controller that has a little radio do-dah that will allow
> a little receiver do-dah in the studio, or the house,
> or the barn, to sound?
Fredrick Paget on wed 6 mar 02
As a dabler in Crystalline glazes and inventor I will spout off on this topic.
The Cone Art electric kiln witch has the extra layer of insulation outside
of the bricks and under the stainless steel wrapper has the insulation
thing pretty well together. If you set the kiln on a layer of insulation
such as ceramic board and put one on the top it would be better. You can
prop the lid for the quick cooling part.
Elements are a problem and we should abandon the Kanthal wire and go to
spiral cut silicon carbide elements. Not only will they run hotter than the
Kanthal wire but you can reduce in the kiln without hurting them. It is
tricky figureing out a mounting system for them and they have to be
designed just right for the hookup to run on voltage we have in the house.
Probably need some kind of controller to feed them the right voltage. The
old Globar rod type of silicon carbide in a kiln that Alpine put out back
in the 50's was a good try but needed heavy transformers with tap changing
to accomodate the changes in the elements as they heated up and aged. We
ought to be able to make an electronic controller to handle this with the
spiral cut elements ,especially since they run at a higher voltage and
lower current.
As a rather deaf senior I find I cannot hear the alarm in the present
controllers even if I am standing right next to it .
That little squeek is beyond the range of my hearing aids. What I want is a
little output socket on the thing hooked to an internal relay that closes a
contact when the alarm goes off. Then I can plug in anything I want within
reason to bring out the alarm into a form I can see, hear or operate
something else with it. I could run a wire down to my studio and use it to
turn on a light for warning. My kiln is in my lab 100 feet up the hill from
the studio, and I never stay in there when I am firing.
Why don't the kiln manufacturers put out one like this? The answer is who
would pay for it ? It is an industrial type kiln and I have informally
priced one custom built by a local industrial kiln manufacturer. Without
making a formal quote he allowed that it would cost 8 to 10 thousand
dollars in a size that I could use. This guy is using those spiral cut
elements and he showed me a little test kiln that uses them and it just
plugs into an ordinary 120 v outlet. He uses it at trade shows to demo his
wares.
So I just limp along with what I have as would the vast majority of
customers for kilns.
Fred
>Hi, All,
>I notice there are a few kiln manufacturers on this list,
>so I wanted to throw out an idea to you guys.
>
>I don't know if there would be a market for an electric
>kiln specifically designed for crystalline glazing, but
>I know I'd love one; and since the crystalline-ceramics
>site gets between 300 and 500 hits a week, there's got to
>be some market. Having done this type of work for a few
>years, I have some ideas on what the perfect crystalline
>kiln should have. Please, one of you, or all of you,
>give this a thought.
>
>A crystalline kiln should have:
>
>* 3 inch firebrick, or, better yet, a way to put a ceramic
>fibre blacket on the lid and around the outside, like you
>do when you insulate a water heater. Maybe the blanket
>could have a steel frame with a couple of hinges. This
>would help with energy costs and on the problem of keeping
>the firing curve steep at the top. Then it could be
>temporarily removed to help drop the temperature quickly,
>and replaced again to help save heat and energy during a soak.
>
>* a dead easy way to change the elements. I get maybe
>40 satisfactory firings from a set of elements, and since
>I fire at least twice a week that means lots of changes.
>To me changing elements is right up there with filling out
>income tax forms and sitting through long dental procedures
>in general awfulness.
>
>* A top spy hole that is tilted downward in such a way
>that if one shines a halogen flashlight into this hole,
>the light will shine on a pot and be visible
>from the next spy hole down. This way one can stop
>the firing when one has just the right amount and size
>of crystals.
>
>* Kiln shelves with small holes (say about 4cm in diameter),
>either in the middle or in a triangular pattern on the shelves,
>for those of us who, knowing full well we are voiding our
>warranties, are going to reduce in our electric kilns.
>This will help with internal air flow. Actually, this would
>be good for any kiln, especially those with envirovents and
>such.
>
>* A remote alarm! I just got a new Skutt, with a controller,
>which has an alarm on it. This is great! But the alarm
>rings in the garage, where the kiln is, and I'm usually in
>the studio, well out of range. Can you make a kiln
>controller that has a little radio do-dah that will allow
>a little receiver do-dah in the studio, or the house,
>or the barn, to sound?
>
>Well, those are my ideas for what they're worth.
>
>Fara Shimbo, Certified Public Nuisance, Master Crystallier
From Fred Paget, Marin County, California, USA
Arnold Howard on wed 6 mar 02
Fara mentioned, among several other kiln ideas, a remote alarm for
the digital controller. Paragon's current controller, the 12-key
Sentry, includes this feature.
To use the Sentry's remote alarm feature, you will need an AOP
(auxiliary output), which is an electrical outlet on the kiln
switch box. Under the Sentry's Options, select Alarm at the AOP
prompt. When the alarm sounds during firing, current flows to the
AOP outlet on the switch box. You can plug an external alarm, such
as a bell or light, into the AOP outlet. With an extension cord,
you can locate the alarm wherever you want.
The AOP current is 240 or 208 volts. So you would need an alarm of
that voltage.
Under the Sentry's AOP option, you can also select Vent. The AOP
outlet then offers control of the KilnVent instead of an alarm.
Arnold Howard
Paragon
--- Fara Shimbo wrote:
> Hi, All,
>
> I notice there are a few kiln manufacturers on this list,
> so I wanted to throw out an idea to you guys.
>
> I don't know if there would be a market for an electric
> kiln specifically designed for crystalline glazing, but
> I know I'd love one; and since the crystalline-ceramics
> site gets between 300 and 500 hits a week, there's got to
> be some market. Having done this type of work for a few
> years, I have some ideas on what the perfect crystalline
> kiln should have. Please, one of you, or all of you,
> give this a thought.
>
> A crystalline kiln should have:
>
> * 3 inch firebrick, or, better yet, a way to put a ceramic
> fibre blacket on the lid and around the outside, like you
> do when you insulate a water heater. Maybe the blanket
> could have a steel frame with a couple of hinges. This
> would help with energy costs and on the problem of keeping
> the firing curve steep at the top. Then it could be
> temporarily removed to help drop the temperature quickly,
> and replaced again to help save heat and energy during a soak.
>
> * a dead easy way to change the elements. I get maybe
> 40 satisfactory firings from a set of elements, and since
> I fire at least twice a week that means lots of changes.
> To me changing elements is right up there with filling out
> income tax forms and sitting through long dental procedures
> in general awfulness.
>
> * A top spy hole that is tilted downward in such a way
> that if one shines a halogen flashlight into this hole,
> the light will shine on a pot and be visible
> from the next spy hole down. This way one can stop
> the firing when one has just the right amount and size
> of crystals.
>
> * Kiln shelves with small holes (say about 4cm in diameter),
> either in the middle or in a triangular pattern on the shelves,
> for those of us who, knowing full well we are voiding our
> warranties, are going to reduce in our electric kilns.
> This will help with internal air flow. Actually, this would
> be good for any kiln, especially those with envirovents and
> such.
>
> * A remote alarm! I just got a new Skutt, with a controller,
> which has an alarm on it. This is great! But the alarm
> rings in the garage, where the kiln is, and I'm usually in
> the studio, well out of range. Can you make a kiln
> controller that has a little radio do-dah that will allow
> a little receiver do-dah in the studio, or the house,
> or the barn, to sound?
>
> Well, those are my ideas for what they're worth.
>
> Fa
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Isak Isaksson on wed 6 mar 02
Hi Fara,
I built a 2 camber kiln about 15 years ago, just to save energy. One of =
the chambers
are heating the other (bisq) to almoust +300C for free. Both chambers =
have
fiber-blankets at the inside just to save energy and i can increase the =
temp from=20
+1100 C to +1280 C within one hour.
Because of that i can often fire a little bit higher without having the =
glaze all over
the shelves and then let the kiln stay longer at the soaking-pint.
Dont know if you have Kanthal A1 wires in your kiln, but it seems that
your kiln is "eating" wires. It should last at least 300> fire-cycles.
I know it=B4s very, very important to fire the kiln for the first time =
empty,
to about +1050C and hold for about 4-6 hours, to let the wires oxidate.
The oxide will protect the wires after that first firing.
Just some thoughts about the "perfect crystalline-kiln",
All the best
Isak Isaksson
Velamsund
SE-132 36 S-Boo
Sweden
+46 8 747 97 21
www.swedcrafts.nu
----- Original Message -----=20
From: "Fara Shimbo"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2002 2:54 PM
Subject: The Perfect Kiln For Crystalline Glazes
> Hi, All,
>=20
> I notice there are a few kiln manufacturers on this list,
> so I wanted to throw out an idea to you guys.
>=20
> I don't know if there would be a market for an electric
> kiln specifically designed for crystalline glazing, but
> I know I'd love one; and since the crystalline-ceramics
> site gets between 300 and 500 hits a week, there's got to
> be some market. Having done this type of work for a few
> years, I have some ideas on what the perfect crystalline
> kiln should have. Please, one of you, or all of you,
> give this a thought.
>=20
> A crystalline kiln should have:
>=20
> * 3 inch firebrick, or, better yet, a way to put a ceramic
> fibre blacket on the lid and around the outside, like you
> do when you insulate a water heater. Maybe the blanket
> could have a steel frame with a couple of hinges. This
> would help with energy costs and on the problem of keeping
> the firing curve steep at the top. Then it could be
> temporarily removed to help drop the temperature quickly,
> and replaced again to help save heat and energy during a soak.
>=20
> * a dead easy way to change the elements. I get maybe
> 40 satisfactory firings from a set of elements, and since
> I fire at least twice a week that means lots of changes.
> To me changing elements is right up there with filling out
> income tax forms and sitting through long dental procedures
> in general awfulness.
>=20
> * A top spy hole that is tilted downward in such a way
> that if one shines a halogen flashlight into this hole,
> the light will shine on a pot and be visible
> from the next spy hole down. This way one can stop
> the firing when one has just the right amount and size
> of crystals.
>=20
> * Kiln shelves with small holes (say about 4cm in diameter),
> either in the middle or in a triangular pattern on the shelves,
> for those of us who, knowing full well we are voiding our
> warranties, are going to reduce in our electric kilns.
> This will help with internal air flow. Actually, this would
> be good for any kiln, especially those with envirovents and
> such.
>=20
> * A remote alarm! I just got a new Skutt, with a controller,
> which has an alarm on it. This is great! But the alarm
> rings in the garage, where the kiln is, and I'm usually in
> the studio, well out of range. Can you make a kiln
> controller that has a little radio do-dah that will allow
> a little receiver do-dah in the studio, or the house,
> or the barn, to sound?
>=20
> Well, those are my ideas for what they're worth.
>=20
> Fa
>=20
> --
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> Fara Shimbo, Certified Public Nuisance, Master Crystallier
> Shimbo Pottery, Hygiene, Colorado, USA
> crystalline-ceramics.info ++ shimbopottery.com
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> "It's great to be known. It's even better to be known
> as 'strange.'" -- Kaga Takeshi
>=20
> =
_________________________________________________________________________=
_____
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>=20
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>=20
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at =
melpots@pclink.com.
>=20
lisa elvington on wed 6 mar 02
Cheryl Hoffman wrote:
In a message dated 03/06/02 9:08:02 AM Eastern Standard Time,
shimbo@CRYSTALLINE-CERAMICS.INFO writes:
> * A remote alarm! I just got a new Skutt, with a controller,
> which has an alarm on it. This is great! But the alarm
> rings in the garage, where the kiln is, and I'm usually in
> the studio, well out of range. Can you make a kiln
> controller that has a little radio do-dah that will allow
> a little receiver do-dah in the studio, or the house,
> or the barn, to sound?
>
>
Since I fire at night, and since those days of being able to pull an
all-nighter are long gone, I got one of those baby monitors from a garage
sale -- $5. I place the monitor on my night stand and the base in the garage
and can hear every sound the kiln makes. Cheap solution and peace of mind.
Cher
And here I thought I was the genius.......I've been doing the same thing and it works like a charm !!
Lisa
______________________________________________________________________________
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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Fara Shimbo on thu 7 mar 02
Hi, Folks,
Thanks, everyone who responded to my post.
Cheryl and Marianne, the baby monitor is a great idea! Do they work
well when it's really cold?
Frederick, re: Kanthal, the silicon carbide idea is great
but like you say, who can afford it? I have a ceramic fiber
blanket that I put on top of the kiln which helps a lot, though.
What I'm thinking is of one that would come in a stainless steel
frame that would be easier to put on and remove.
As far as the reduction is concerned, to tell you the
truth, using the method I use, I've never had any trouble
with the elements due to reduction. I always coat my
elements with ITC 213 and even after 30 firings, I can
roll them up and put them back in their original plastic
bags.
Arnold Howard, re: the Sentry, Hear, hear!
(As it were.) But alas I just bought my new kiln
last week...
Isak, your two-chamber kiln sounds wonderful.
I do have Kanthal elements, but in since I started doing
crystals I've never gotten more than 40 good crystal firings
out of them. Now you've got me thinking that perhaps it
might have been the old kiln that was the problem; or
rather the old pyrometer. I had one that I only found
out after eight years was only showing 90% of the actual
temperature in the kiln. So I was holding (or attempting
to hold) the kiln at too high a temperature (I always fire
to a cone). This seems to have put a lot of strain on the
switches in the kiln, one of which I replaced twice in
as many months. SO.... now hopefully with the new kiln
and the electronic controller I won't have that problem,
and am looking forward to seeing how many firings I get
out of it.
Anyway, your kiln sounds quite intriguing, and I'd
like to see a picture of it, or read a more detailed
description.
Hang in there, everyone,
Fa
--
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fara Shimbo, Certified Public Nuisance, Master Crystallier
Shimbo Pottery, Hygiene, Colorado, USA
crystalline-ceramics.info ++ shimbopottery.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"It's great to be known. It's even better to be known
as 'strange.'" -- Kaga Takeshi
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