Jeremy/Bonnie Hellman on thu 1 jul 04
Hi clayarters,
I'm building my first raku kiln because I'd like to make some raku pieces. I
have never had access to anyone else's raku kiln (except once for 2 pots 7
years ago) so I'm a true novice. Because I don't know if this will be
something I'll want to do on a regular basis, I don't want to throw a lot of
money into components that have no other use (such as the kiln itself). I'm
willing to buy quality where it is especially important- here I'm thinking a
safe, easy to regulate propane burner and possibly something to measure
temperature.
I've read Steve Branfman's book but still have a lot of questions,
particularly since I have only general ideas of what I want and need. I'd
love to talk with someone who has experience building small, inexpensive
raku kilns and ordering materials. I'm in rural SW Colorado, so all ceramic
specific materials need to be ordered.
If you are willing to talk with me on the telephone, please send me a
private email listing your phone number and good times for me to call you.
I bought very nice tongs, gloves and face protection a few years ago, but
I'm finally going to build the kiln now with the help of a friend who has
slightly more experience raku firing than I, but no experience building the
kiln either.
I've searched the clayart archives and know all about making buttons for
this raku kiln, but did not find the rest of the information to answer my
beginner questions.
TIA
Bonnie
Bonnie Hellman
dneese on thu 1 jul 04
Hey Bonnie, you may want to check out the new Lark Book "Alternative Kilns
and Firing Techniques" by James Wakins and Paul Wandless. There are photos
and directions, and material list for building a very nice Raku Kiln.
Techniques for firing are covered as well. This book has a wealth of
low-fire ceramic information.
Dale Tex
"across the alley from the Alamo"
San Antonio, Texas USA
Going ballistic and no mail for the 4th. Selling pots on the gulf coast this
holiday weekend in Rockport Texas.
Wishing everyone a safe and fun holiday.
Graham & Rose Mercer on fri 2 jul 04
Hi Bonnie,
I built a raku kiln last December, first time for me for building any =
kind of kiln and it went really well.
My kiln is made from a metal garbage can, lined with ceramic fibre. I =
have extensive photographs of the construction process, as well as some =
rudimentary plans for building the kiln. I will happily email these to =
you if that would be of assistance. Re the buttons I found a quick, =
cheap alternative that works really well. I used the 3-pronged =
earthenware stilts (you know, like a Mercedes badge without the outer =
circle). They hold the fibre in place very well and it is easy to wrap =
some high temperature wire around the arms, then poke through the fibre =
and bin wall to twist into place.
Unless you are considering playing around with copper matt glazes I =
don't believe that you would need to provide for a pyrometer in the =
kiln, the traditional 'look at the glaze until it is nice and glossy' =
works just fine for raku pieces. If you do need a pyrometer I can send =
some photos of a 'gizmo' that I threw on the wheel to mount the pyro on =
the bin kiln.
Not much point in giving you my phone number, you probably don't want to =
be paying for calls to Australia!! Any help or advice that I can offer =
on the techniques etc you are very welcome to, there is not much point =
in my speaking of materials and ordering as you are such a long way from =
me.
Please email me directly if you want any more information etc, only too =
happy to share the (little!) knowledge that I have acquired so far in my =
raku journey.
Happy potting
Graham Mercer in Melbourne Australia
nervously anticipating the opening of the first exhibition that I have =
arranged on Saturday.
graham.mercer@optusnet.com.au
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~roseandgraham/index.html
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