Fredrick Paget on thu 21 jul 05
Today, I just got through drilling ten one inch holes in a set of 5
very small kiln shelves that go in my Aim test kiln. I put two holes
in each shelf so I can pick them up and raise or lower them into the
tiny kiln. This was always hard to do because there was no room at
the sides to get a good grip on the shelves in such a small kiln.
I used a 5 dollar Harbor Freight diamond core drill. It has now
drilled 12 holes in all and is still in good condition. Carbide core
drills also will work. Don't try to drill carbide shelves as they are
too hard.
You must drill with plenty if water or the diamonds will come off of
the drill and its life will be very short. I put the shelves one at a
time underwater in a shallow pan so the drill was actually under
water. Put a piece of wood under the shelf so you don't drill into
the pan.
This is best done in a drill press as there is no pilot drill in the
diamond core drill. Some carbide core drills or hole saws, as they
are called, have a pilot drill which is needed if you use a hand
drill. You will have to drill the pilot hole with a carbide drill
before you use the hole saw.
Working in water like this be sure your drill is double insulated or grounded.
--
From Fred Paget,
Mill Valley, CA, USA
fredrick@well.com
Charter Member Potters Council
Fredrick Paget on fri 22 jul 05
>Fred,
>How and how long will you dry out the shelves before using them?
>
>Gayle Bair
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Fredrick Paget
>.......snip>
>You must drill with plenty if water or the diamonds will come off of
>the drill and its life will be very short. I put the shelves one at a
>time underwater in a shallow pan .............. snip>
I left them outside in the sun for a day. It is very dry here in
Mill Valley in the summer so if you have humidity it may take a few
hours of preheat also. You need to dry them out well. Wet kiln
furniture is a no-no.
My Bartlett controller (which is wall mounted and which I switch
from my test kiln to my larger Cone Art kiln) has a preheat function.
I suggest a 6 hour preheat and then a slow bisque for the first
firing.
I programmed the test kiln this morning with two of the freshly
drilled shelves in it for a slow bisque to cone 018 ( to fire two
test decals that I made). It was on DELAYand went on at 6 PM when my
electric rate goes down to a low rate for the night.
I always fire at night and just rely on the controller and the kiln
sitter on the kiln as second chance backup. I figure that the
probability of both failing is remote and I am willing to sacrifice
the kiln if I am that unlucky. Sort of like suspenders (braces) and
belt both.
I will let you know tomorrow if the shelves explode tonight ( or
the kiln self destructs).
--
From Fred Paget,
Marin County,
California, USA
fredrick@well.com
claybair on fri 22 jul 05
Fred,
How and how long will you dry out the shelves before using them?
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
Tucson, AZ
http://claybair.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Fredrick Paget
snip>
You must drill with plenty if water or the diamonds will come off of
the drill and its life will be very short. I put the shelves one at a
time underwater in a shallow pan so the drill was actually under
water. Put a piece of wood under the shelf so you don't drill into
the pan.
This is best done in a drill press as there is no pilot drill in the
diamond core drill. Some carbide core drills or hole saws, as they
are called, have a pilot drill which is needed if you use a hand
drill. You will have to drill the pilot hole with a carbide drill
before you use the hole saw.
Working in water like this be sure your drill is double insulated or
grounded.
--
From Fred Paget,
Mill Valley, CA, USA
fredrick@well.com
Charter Member Potters Council
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.9.3/56 - Release Date: 7/22/2005
Fredrick Paget on sat 23 jul 05
> >Fred,
>>How and how long will you dry out the shelves before using them?
>>
>>Gayle Bair
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Fredrick Paget
>>.......snip>
>You must drill with plenty if water
>........
> I left them outside in the sun for a day. ..... Wet kiln
>furniture is a no-no.
> .......
> I will let you know tomorrow if the shelves explode tonight ( or
>the kiln self destructs).
>--
>
No problemo.
>
--
From Fred Paget,
Mill Valley, CA, USA
fredrick@well.com
Charter Member Potters Council
| |
|
