mel jacobson on thu 5 dec 02
many ways to skin the horse.
there is no perfect answer. some say there is.
not.
arches are nice. they work well, but a much more difficult
problem for first time kiln builders. yes, they are important
to understand. it is not a big debate. each potter
figures out what is best for them. they are much more expensive.
often those that espouse certain techniques have never had
to pay for one...it is in the school budget, or a grant paid the bills.
flat tops work. yes, one has to mind some simple instructions,
have nice square bricks. (imagine bricks that are new, and taper
a quarter of an inch in two directions. it happens.)
follow some simple rules. no need for arch or wedge bricks. all
straights. simple welding or cable banding. if done
the right way, it takes a day to build a flat top kiln. it will last
for years. many years. remember the roof is a curve. it is not
flat. it lifts about two inches from edge to center. it is a dome.
we have a modular roof on our salt kiln. works like a dream. but,
remember, they cost several thousand dollars. easy up, easy maintain,
but, most potters cannot afford one. our door is a module too. nice.
feriz delkic builds all of his commercial kilns (furnaces) with kaowool
modules. it is the state of the art.
many veteran potters get all bent out of shape over roofs.
seem to think that their's is only one way to make a kiln. sorry,
there are many ways. superior attitudes about any kiln construction
can get one in a great deal of trouble. fred olson, nils lou, donovan
palmquist
are thinking of new ideas all the time.
nils has just designed a kiln with the chimney flue inside the kiln. donovan
has done the same thing, at the same time. they laughed together
at nceca last year comparing notes. smart guys...but, then,
this is not new either. it was done in the 30's. bill jones saw the plans
in an old acers bulletin.
kurt and i have cast roofs at the farm. they work too. castable
is a great structure. add the stainless pins and it is really a good
system.
most of the modern technology points to the fact that heat
does not need to flow over an arch. if that was the case, then
the kiln would have to be round, with a dome. heat enters the
kiln, builds and exits as spent fuel and smoke. the heat does
not care what shape the kiln is. ( many debate this, but
industry and engineers will debunk it every time.)
if you make internal walls and dams that
heat cannot get through, then you have problems.. tight bag
walls, kiln shelves all pressed together....they cause more
problems then the shape of the kiln. same in electric firing...
no room for heat to move. far too many shelves and pots in the
firing. false economy...get far too many pots in a single firing.
not good. you just lose them, throw them away, or have to refire.
open the kiln up and let it breath. you will be happy.
lots of ways to build kilns, and thank god, lots of new ideas.
fibre is a great system. loose fibre is a bad system. itc it
and you are safe.
we will be seeing more electric/gas kilns as time goes on. a
great system for a home potter. bisque, glaze, reduction and
oxidation in the same kiln. they do work you know.
purists will always fight tooth and nail. i am sorry, i am not
a purist. i am always looking for a new way. with modern
ceramic engineering leading the way...why do we have to live
in rome, in the first century?
i remember when the purists said that computer controls on an
electric kiln would not work. well they do. we do not hear
that cry anymore. i don't have one, but i sure know they
are a wonderful addition to potteries. kiln sitters are nice.
combine them with cones and you have a great system.
i like to fire our wood kiln in combination with propane. what is
wrong with that? when the storm comes, winds, rain...we just
stick the burners in and wait it out. do not lose heat. we can
leave the kiln for several hours to eat, get a shower, don't lose
heat. does the kiln care? do the pots care? not a whit. it is
heat. controlled heat.
we have a great deal to learn about firing. the end is not in
sight. we have a great deal to learn about kilns. this is not
hocus pocus, it is engineering and science. it is research and
development. new ideas are being born as we speak. add to the
list. don't say...`hey, there is only one way to build a kiln.`
add to the list.
think, make and do. try a new thing.
it may be the best yet.
mel
From:
Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.
web site: my.pclink.com/~melpots
or try: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
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