Mike Gordon on sun 13 feb 05
I have a 20cu.ft. updraft and I love it. But I will have to build a
smaller one this summer to do glaze tests in. Maybe 12cu.ft. To fill a
20 cu.ft. takes some time and a lot of work, so if you are trying to
get a certain glaze color or effect, it has to wait until enough work
is done, dried, and bisque fired. Each time! It can get frustrating if
you are not a glaze adept person, and impatient like I am. It depends
on the kind of work you intend to do, large sculpture, large pots,
etc.a large kiln is OK, But if you do small pots all the time and don't
expect to do larger scale work, a larger kiln might be a problem for
you. I can't remember how this subject started but go look at some big
kilns, imagine it is just you filling it.Mike Gordon
Lee Love on tue 15 feb 05
Mike Gordon wrote:
> etc.a large kiln is OK, But if you do small pots all the time and don't
> expect to do larger scale work, a larger kiln might be a problem for
> you. I can't remember how this subject started but go look at some big
> kilns, imagine it is just you filling it.Mike Gordon
>
I agree Mike. Another great way to fire more often is at a
claycenter or co-op. In the beginning, a, small electric or raku
kiln is wonderful because to me, form is the primary concern in the
beginning, so it is good to be able the cycle the work often so you can
see your results.
My current wood kiln is about a a cubic meter in the ware
chamber. I want to build a small experimental kiln with stepdown
grates in it. Something that could be fired for several days, but
only requiring you to stoke whole logs every 6 hours or so until the
very end. I have though of making it portable (on a cart) so it
could be backed into the grate doors of my current kiln and would just
exhaust into it. Could pre-heat the larger kiln or possible bisque in
it while firing the smaller kiln into it.
--
Lee in Mashiko, Japan http://mashiko.org
http://potters.blogspot.com/ WEB LOG
http://claycraft.blogspot.com/ Photos!
| |
|
