Nan Waugh on mon 28 nov 05
Hi there--
OK, this is my first message here so any help at all is appreciated!
I bought my first kiln recently to do Italian majolica, I got an older Skutt
with a kiln-sitter. It came with the original manual about how to replace
all the bits when they are broken, but nothing as simple as how to time the
darn thing with cone firings.
There are the low-medium-high switches. I have tried to fire with a notable
lack of success as follows: 1 1/2 hrs. at low, 1 1/2s at medium, and then
turning all three switches to high. The kiln is shutting off after a total
run time of approx. three hrs and 15 minutes. I suspect this is too fast?!
I am using Italian Majolica colors and glaze. My test tiles have the
following issues:
--When using the recommended 08 Orton cones in the sitter: Glaze is
extremely "mottled" in texture. Some very large pinholes. Really doesn't
look like the glaze melted right.
--So I used a 06 cone in the sitter: VEERRRY tiny pinholes over the surface
of the tile, but glaze apprears much smoother. Tiny white specks are to be
found in areas with solid color coverage.
--I've tried kicking the kiln, too. That didn't seem to help either. And I
hurt my toe.
Just kidding, but if anyone can help me with something simple along the
lines of how to time the kiln with what temperature settings, or any info,
it would be so appreciated!! The last firing I did I left the kiln lid
cracked for the first hour, also.
Thanks much, especially if you waded through my whole e-mail!!
Sincerely,
Nan
Taylor from Rockport on mon 28 nov 05
Hey Nan:
DO NOT feel bad. So many numbers, with zeros, and switches with three
postions. Drove me crazy.
I bet Arnold will chime in here about firing schedules, but I can give you
an idea of how it will go. My kiln is a Paragon (the best in the world),
so I will esplain hows I doos it. I never start with all three switches
on, and I usually turn up with staggared settings. For example. I might
start with bottom element on med, middle element on low, and top element
off for the first hour. Next hour bottom on high, mid on med and top on
low. See how that goes? Now Paragon has a scheduled firing plan for my
kiln and I have found it to work fine for me.
To me an 08 firing would need to be longer than 3.5 hours. What did the
sitter cone look like? Mine is bent at 45deg angle at tripping. On my
last firing to 012, the shelf cones were all perfect and the sitter didn't
trip until I unloaded my second shelf and wiggled the kiln. Now THAT is
timing. (brag, brag, brag). I of course had a 'hotter' cone in the sitter
than on the shelf. You do that?
One more thing: does your sitter have a limit timer?
All one has to do is modify the published firing schedule to suite one's
needs. If you feel the pin holes could be cured by longer bisque, then
wait on the earlier turn ups, give things more time. If you think that
one of the rings reaches temp earlier than the others, you can fiddle with
turn down or nudge the other rings up earlier in the firing.
In truth, if you are adventerous, you could develope your own firing
schedule. I do that each time I forget a turn up! Good luck and good
potting.
Taylor, in Rockport TX
http://www.wirerabbit.blogspot.com
http://www.wirerabbitpots.blogspot.com
http://www.clayartmugshots.blogspot.com
On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 02:57:38 -0500, Nan Waugh wrote:
>Hi there--
>
>OK, this is my first message here so any help at all is appreciated!
>
>I bought my first kiln recently to do Italian majolica, I got an older
Skutt
>with a kiln-sitter. It came with the original manual about how to replace
>all the bits when they are broken, but nothing as simple as how to time
the
>darn thing with cone firings.
...
| |
|
