Linda Ziesmer on thu 6 may 04
Snail said:
"If you have half-shelves, you want to
arrange your four posts so that they are evenly
spaced around the perimeter of the kiln. Each
half-shelf will have a post along the middle of
its round side, and its corners will share a post
with the other half-shelf. (Three points of
support per shelf.) "
I am working with half-shelves. Never having fired a kiln, let alone loaded
one before doing my first test firing w/ my new L&L, I read the manual as
thoroughly as possible. I came away with an understanding of the need to
get the bottom shelves up 1-2" and to use 3-point support but I used 3 posts
per half-shelf leaving a good inch between the two halves. I maintained
this throughout 3 levels somehow thinking that allowing that air flow (the
kiln does have an orton vent drawing from the bottom) would enhance even
heat distribution. What do I know? - sounded good. Never thought of
butting the halves up against each other and sharing the posts.
Does this makes any sense? Is it a wasted effort? Are the shelves any less
stable the way I loaded them? Of course I'm using more posts and
potentially loosing tiny amounts of space overall. OR am I being anal in
even thinking about this because there's no one right way to do it? Any
feedback is very welcomed. Thanks,
Linda
Snail Scott on fri 7 may 04
At 01:41 PM 5/6/04 -0400, you wrote:
>...I used 3 posts
>per half-shelf leaving a good inch between the two halves. I maintained
>this throughout 3 levels somehow thinking that allowing that air flow (the
>kiln does have an orton vent drawing from the bottom) would enhance even
>heat distribution.
Well, you need a few more posts this way. And
the shelves are a little less stable since they
form two narrow stacks instead of a single linked
one. Also, it's more of an issue to have work
bridging the gap.
As for the vent, I don't know. I imagine it might
improve ventilation, but I don't use one myself,
so I've never tried it.
If you like your system, and you've already got
that many posts, no reason to change just because
it's non-standard. If it works for you, fine.
-Snail Scott
Reno, NV, USA, Earth
| |
|
