Carole Fox on wed 23 jun 04
At the rec center where I teach, they were having problems with the kiln
over-firing, the cone melting in the sitter prongs, even after I gave them
some kiln wash to put on them. I gave them the name of a kiln repairman, but
don't you know... the city has to go through their own channels and called
the electric company to check it out.
The guy from the electric company told them they needed a new kiln sitter -
the whole box. I thought that seemed a bit strange, thinking there were
several components and wiring problems that could account for their problems
and it seemed odd to need to replace the whole kiln sitter.
Of course I don't know zip about the electronics of a kiln sitter and was
unable to find any answers in the archives. So, once again, I come to you,
dear clayart. Did the rec center get taken? Or do kiln sitters as a whole,
just sometimes go bad?
The kiln is an Land L J230.
Thanks.
Carole Fox
Silver Fox Pottery
Elkton, MD
thesilverfox@dol.net
Arnold Howard on thu 24 jun 04
In all probability the electrician said to replace the Kiln Sitter because
he felt his time is more expensive than a new Kiln Sitter. It's like a video
tape player: They are cheaper to replace than to fix.
But the problem may be only a sluggish actuating rod or even something as
minor as an out-of-adjustment trigger. Every Kiln Sitter owner should have a
firing gauge, which is used to check the trigger adjustment.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
arnoldhoward@att.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carole Fox"
> At the rec center where I teach, they were having problems with the kiln
> over-firing, the cone melting in the sitter prongs, even after I gave them
> some kiln wash to put on them. I gave them the name of a kiln repairman,
but
> don't you know... the city has to go through their own channels and called
> the electric company to check it out.
>
> The guy from the electric company told them they needed a new kiln
sitter -
> the whole box. I thought that seemed a bit strange, thinking there were
> several components and wiring problems that could account for their
problems
> and it seemed odd to need to replace the whole kiln sitter.
william schran on thu 24 jun 04
Carole wrote:>At the rec center where I teach, they were having
problems with the kiln
over-firing, the cone melting in the sitter prongs....Did the rec
center get taken? Or do kiln sitters as a whole, just sometimes go
bad?<
They probably got taken.
Parts of the kiln sitter WILL wear out and need to be replaced.
Sounds like the one in question needed to be adjusted using the
adjustment device that comes with the sitter, the sensing rod
replaced and/or the ceramic tube cleaned out. Other parts will wear
out, but I doubt the entire sitter would need replacement in most
instances.
Have them adjust the new sitter with the new adjustment device in an
ongoing basis.
Bill
Richard G. Ramirez on thu 24 jun 04
Carole,
Used to have the same problem, when I didn't do alittle maintence on the
old kiln. Once in a while the rod inside the kiln sitter goes out of
alignment, usally heat exspanion and cooling contractions. So you need to
calibrate the rod again. Usually, straighten the rod and use the calibration
coin that the kiln sitter came with. That will do the trick. Try it. Hope
that works.
Sincerely, "The Clay Stalker", Richard G. Ramirez, Sacramento, Clifornia.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carole Fox"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 2:55 PM
Subject: new kiln sitter?
> At the rec center where I teach, they were having problems with the kiln
> over-firing, the cone melting in the sitter prongs, even after I gave them
> some kiln wash to put on them. I gave them the name of a kiln repairman,
but
> don't you know... the city has to go through their own channels and called
> the electric company to check it out.
>
> The guy from the electric company told them they needed a new kiln
sitter -
> the whole box. I thought that seemed a bit strange, thinking there were
> several components and wiring problems that could account for their
problems
> and it seemed odd to need to replace the whole kiln sitter.
>
> Of course I don't know zip about the electronics of a kiln sitter and was
> unable to find any answers in the archives. So, once again, I come to you,
> dear clayart. Did the rec center get taken? Or do kiln sitters as a whole,
> just sometimes go bad?
>
> The kiln is an Land L J230.
>
> Thanks.
> Carole Fox
> Silver Fox Pottery
> Elkton, MD
> thesilverfox@dol.net
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> 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.
Bob Santerre on thu 24 jun 04
Never heard of it. What is a firing gauge? How does it work?
Bob
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Arnold Howard wrote:
>In all probability the electrician said to replace the Kiln Sitter because
>he felt his time is more expensive than a new Kiln Sitter. It's like a video
>tape player: They are cheaper to replace than to fix.
>
>But the problem may be only a sluggish actuating rod or even something as
>minor as an out-of-adjustment trigger. Every Kiln Sitter owner should have a
>firing gauge, which is used to check the trigger adjustment.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Arnold Howard
>Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
>arnoldhoward@att.net
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Carole Fox"
>
>
>>At the rec center where I teach, they were having problems with the kiln
>>over-firing, the cone melting in the sitter prongs, even after I gave them
>>some kiln wash to put on them. I gave them the name of a kiln repairman,
>>
>>
>but
>
>
>>don't you know... the city has to go through their own channels and called
>>the electric company to check it out.
>>
>>The guy from the electric company told them they needed a new kiln
>>
>>
>sitter -
>
>
>>the whole box. I thought that seemed a bit strange, thinking there were
>>several components and wiring problems that could account for their
>>
>>
>problems
>
>
>>and it seemed odd to need to replace the whole kiln sitter.
>>
>>
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>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.
>
>
>
>
Hendrix, Taylor J. on thu 24 jun 04
Wow Carole:
I'm only knowledgeable about Dawson kiln sitters and I can tell you
right now that unless you have a limit timer included with a Dawson
sitter there is nothing electrical that can go wrong with it short of
arc welding the contacts closed. The sitter is a mechanical device. A
lever actuates the fall of a weighted pivot which releases the spring
loaded switch which opens the circuit killing power to the elements.
All this comes about when the sitter cone deformes properly. Not
familiar with the kiln you mention, so....
Honest I am trying to figure out what the heck could have gone wrong
with the sitter that would have an electrician telling the center it
needed a new one.
The first thing you should always check on the sitter is free motion of
the sensing rod. Make sure it is not binding at all. Second thing to
check is that the release claw and weighted pivot are calibrated to
release at the proper cone bend. When chance allows, kill power up at
the distribution box and open up the cover to expose the switch. Check
that the metal contacts are not corroded. They should be cleaned to
assure good contact when the switch is closed.
Hmm, I'm still not getting it. Anyone else? Arnold?
Taylor
Waco, TX
http://www3.baylor.edu/~Taylor_Hendrix/tjpots.htm =20
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Carole Fox
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 4:55 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: new kiln sitter?
At the rec center where I teach, they were having problems with the kiln
over-firing, the cone melting in the sitter prongs, even after I gave
them
some kiln wash to put on them. I gave them the name of a kiln repairman,
but
don't you know... the city has to go through their own channels and
called
the electric company to check it out.
The guy from the electric company told them they needed a new kiln
sitter -
the whole box. ...
Gary Harvey on thu 24 jun 04
First, I think that the problem might be something simpler than the kiln
sitter needing repair. When the person is putting the cone in the holder
are they making sure that the cone is placed right? I have somewhere got
the idea that the cone must be placed with the number down and with the
small end closed to the edge. I had a kiln over fire and the cone melted
and stuck the kiln sitter. You'd have to see it to believe it. This was
when I had a bad wire that went out. So the problem may not be the sitter
itself. Secondly, if they are firing without witness cones they should
be. I have pots that are melted together to show that that isn't a good
ideal. Thirdly, I monitor every firing as closely as I can and you shouldn't
leave a firing kiln only for short times. Especially with a cone sitter!
Fourth, inform the city that they have a choice. Get the trained person to
check out the kiln or pay more for it's repair. Good Luck. This opinion
brought to you by one of the members of CLAYART. Gary Harvey, Palestine TX
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carole Fox"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 4:55 PM
Subject: new kiln sitter?
> At the rec center where I teach, they were having problems with the kiln
> over-firing, the cone melting in the sitter prongs, even after I gave them
> some kiln wash to put on them. I gave them the name of a kiln repairman,
but
> don't you know... the city has to go through their own channels and called
> the electric company to check it out.
>
> The guy from the electric company told them they needed a new kiln
sitter -
> the whole box. I thought that seemed a bit strange, thinking there were
> several components and wiring problems that could account for their
problems
> and it seemed odd to need to replace the whole kiln sitter.
>
> Of course I don't know zip about the electronics of a kiln sitter and was
> unable to find any answers in the archives. So, once again, I come to you,
> dear clayart. Did the rec center get taken? Or do kiln sitters as a whole,
> just sometimes go bad?
>
> The kiln is an Land L J230.
>
> Thanks.
> Carole Fox
> Silver Fox Pottery
> Elkton, MD
> thesilverfox@dol.net
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> 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.
Maurice Weitman on thu 24 jun 04
At 16:53 -0400 on 6/24/04, Bob Santerre wrote:
>Never heard of it. What is a firing gauge? How does it work?
It's a disc, about the size of a U.S. nickel, that comes with a
Dawson kiln sitter and is used to (re-) calibrate the height of the
rod that trips the weighted doofunny when the cone is sufficiently
bent.
Read The Fine Manual.
It's a fine thing. The disc. And the manual. And the archives.
Regards,
Maurice
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