Hendrix, Taylor J on mon 2 feb 04
Be fast, Barbara, really fast.
Assuming your are asking about reduction chambers a.k.a. sticky trash
cans.
Long tongs and good gloves helps get the second and following pots into
the redux cans. Watch that initial re ignition of paper and gas when
you open the lid. Have your helper give it a little fan if it didn't do
its big WOOSH. Almost got my head singed off the first time. A little
paper on top of older pots so you don't mar glaze surfaces and in she
goes. Flame up (not as violent as when opening the lid) and Bob's your
uncle. Others are going to give you other suggestions.
Taylor, in Waco
p.s. Tell Bob I said, "Hi."
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Barbara
Jolley
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2004 6:56 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Raku Newbie Question
Getting ready to raku for the first time. If I'm putting several pots
into
the same can, how do I pile more in without getting singed? It's
probably
very simple, and have not been able to get a clear description from any
of
the books I've looked at. I could guess, but would rather give my first
batch of pots better odds.
Thanks in advance!
...
Barbara Jolley on mon 2 feb 04
Getting ready to raku for the first time. If I'm putting several pots into
the same can, how do I pile more in without getting singed? It's probably
very simple, and have not been able to get a clear description from any of
the books I've looked at. I could guess, but would rather give my first
batch of pots better odds.
Thanks in advance!
Barbara
daniel on tue 3 feb 04
Hi Barbara,
> Getting ready to raku for the first time. If I'm putting several pots into
> the same can, how do I pile more in without getting singed? It's probably
> very simple, and have not been able to get a clear description from any of
> the books I've looked at. I could guess, but would rather give my first
> batch of pots better odds.
>
For simplicity if its your first firing you might wish to have a separate
bin per pot. In the end its easier to control the results that way I think
anyway, and it is how I do much of my raku. That said at one place where I
fire the avoiding getting singed thing is a matter of having enough room in
the bin for both (N ?) pieces and then getting them in quickly. The flames
are not a big deal if tongs are long handled enough. Don't lean directly
over the flaming bin - sneak in more over the edge with the second piece.
You've probably already read this but, wear a decent non-flammable long
sleeved coat or jacket. Wear decent gloves made for high temperature stuff.
Stay away from polartec-style fleece jackets - that stuff is flammable. Tie
your hair back if its long or it won't be when you're done. Wear decent
shoes or boots. Dropping a hot pot hurts, if hits a sandled foot it really
hurts !!!
Have fun,
D
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Barbara
>
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Bruce Girrell on tue 3 feb 04
> Getting ready to raku for the first time. If I'm putting several pots into
> the same can, how do I pile more in ...
Don't.
OK, you can do it by carefully placing one piece on one side of the can and
another piece on the other side. I have put perhaps three small pieces in
one can. But is your shredded newspaper really that precious that you can't
put your pieces in separate cans (just kidding)? If you put multiple pieces
in one can, you risk them bumping together and the glazes fusing, ruining
both pieces. Even if you separate them there will be a nasty sharp spot on
each piece where they touched. Get more cans and more reduction material or
don't fire so many pieces at one time. You don't want to fire all that many
at one time anyway; it's too difficult to handle them quickly and safely.
> ...without getting singed?
You should be wearing sufficient protective gear to prevent this. Gauntlet
gloves, fire resistant clothing, etc. One of our favorite items is a Nomex
hood that we got from Ward Burner. It is a sock-like covering for your head
that keeps loose hair in place and protects your neck as well. Another
favorite is an aluminized heat reflective apron, also from Ward Burner.
One item I strongly do NOT recommend is a polycarbonate face shield that
looks much like a face shield that you might wear for grinding or for wood
work. Its shape can funnel heat directly into your face and eyes. Guess how
we know this.
Bruce "with eyebrows fully regrown now" Girrell
Susan Giddings on tue 3 feb 04
Barbara,
You've already received great advice - basically keep them separate. If you are new to this, it will be tricky for you to try to handle too much at the same time. Raku is exciting and so much fun. But it also moves very fast. 3 pieces in one pit when you're new to it is probably 2 too many to handle. Rather, live with the temporary disappointment of not getting everything fired than getting what you do manage to fire ruined. There will be another day, another firing. There always is.
Also, always remember a couple of rules I always tell new people around the Raku site:
Rule # 1 - No matter what it is - assume it is HOT. Be protected or just don't touch.
Rule # 2 - Don't get gloves wet. When you touch something hot with wet gloves, the water turns to steam and it hurts - really really hurts! See rule # 1.
S
------------------
Susan Giddings
"There are painters who transform the sun into a yellow spot, but there are others who, thanks to their art and intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the sun." — Pablo Picasso
What are the 5 hot job markets for 2004? Click here to find out.
Laurie Kneppel on tue 3 feb 04
I have the can lids open and ready to go. When I take the pots (and
non-pots) out of the kiln I just keep putting them in the same can
until the can is full and the pieces aren't touching, allowing space
for the leaves (or whatever combustible) to burn away a bit and the
items still not to touch. The flames are usually pretty good and I put
the lid on as soon as I put in the last piece. When i was in school we
had people who put the lids on and off between each piece going in. To
tell the truth I get better flashing on the copper mattes and blacker
blacks my way. If you are unloading a lot of pieces one trick is to
grab the smaller things first because they cool down quicker than the
larger pieces. That way they are plenty hot to ignite the leaves or
whatever. If you are firing many large things - get more cans. My
favorites are 20 gallon galvanized garbage cans. I have three of those
and one 30 gallon for the biggest pots. That's about all the space I
need for one kiln load.
Laurie
Sacramento, CA
http://rockyraku.com
>
> Getting ready to raku for the first time. If I'm putting several pots
> into
> the same can, how do I pile more in without getting singed? It's
> probably
> very simple, and have not been able to get a clear description from any
> of
> the books I've looked at. I could guess, but would rather give my first
> batch of pots better odds.
>
> Thanks in advance!
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