annalisa on fri 8 sep 06
Hello,
I have a March of 1980 Ceramics Monthly article "A Gas Kiln for the =
Urban Potter" written by California electrical engineer and ceramist Bob =
Bixler The article provides a materials list and instruction on =
building a 20 1/2 cubic foot updraft ceramic fired kiln that Bixler =
fired on his Natural Gas at house pressure. The Bixler kiln is on =
casters (wheels) and is therfore portable) and the article says he'd =
wheel the kiln out into his driveway in order to fire it. The article =
says the kiln fires to cone 12 and that Bixler disconnects it from the =
gas and wheels the kiln into his garage for storage when it isn't being =
fired. The article indicates that the kiln was efficient and fires =
fast. It says the wall design of the fiber allows a maximum interior =
temperature of 2400F and 250F exterior temperature with a wall of 1/2", =
6lb per sq foot 2600F H-felt, backed up with 2 inches of 6lb 2300F LoCon =
felt and 2 1/2 inches of 1900F Keen Mono Block. =20
I've been looking for a combustion kiln (affordable) kiln that I'd want =
to use to fire at least once monthly for bisque and for ^10 reduction. =
Presently, I'm starting an individual private studio in a rural location =
with appropriate zoning where I can pursue my hobby. (Do not have the =
budget for shipping and purchase of a prebuilt-commercially made gas =
kiln). =20
=20
Since 1996 when I took my first wheel throwing class and fell in love =
with throwing pots, I've taken numerous workshops and adult classes. At =
a nearby art center where they offer adult classes, I had the choice of =
firing to ^6 elec oxidation or ^10 reduction in a natural gas kiln and I =
always chose ^10 reduction for my pots. Although I've definitely loved =
taking classes there over the years, I've reached the point where I feel =
like I really do need my own kiln and my own private workspace where I =
can accomodate my schedule and am free to try glazes and colors not =
available in a classroom situation.=20
The appeal of this particular kiln in the old Ceramics Montlhy article =
(to me) is it seems to provide:=20
1)a nice sized kiln with decent stacking space that can be moved easily =
(large enough for an individual functional potter; but not so large that =
it takes months to fill or days to fire).
2) doesn't require a permanent installation of a kiln shed because you =
can disconnect it from the fuel source and wheel it into your garage or =
shed when it has cooled down and isn't being fired
3) Is commercial looking - isn't a brick and mortar structure on top of =
concrete blocks that neigbors might consider unattractive, the Bixler =
kiln doesn't require a chimney at all.
4) doesn't require bricks (except for the insulated firebrick floor) and =
doesn't require a concrete foundation to be poured (not a permanent =
installation)
5)this kiln could easily be moved to another studio for relocation =
(Because the completed kiln is portable, it seems desirable to me in the =
event I need to relocate).
6)My father can economically weld the frame for me (he was a builder, is =
a retired mason, and he's taken welding courses). He's been looking at =
my copy of Olsen's kiln book and I showed him the Bixler article and a =
recent CM article: Sept 1997, "Building a Budget Conscious Fiber Kiln" =
pgs 104-106 by Roger Honey. My father offered to do the welding and =
construct the frame for me and then we could put this thing in the back =
of a pick up truck and move it for assembly to my location. =20
7)this kiln doesn't use expensive electricity. Where I'm located, the =
commercial electric rates are very costly and propane is still an =
affordable choice (provided that the kiln is efficient).=20
8)I want to have the freedom to experiment with glazes (in the community =
art center where I used to take classes, adult students were not =
allowed in the glaze room due to liability and insurance issues). In my =
own private working space, I'm free to experiment glazes and I'm looking =
forward to running my own glaze tests, using glaze software, mixing up =
some of the recipes I've collected over the years, and developing a =
larger pallette of colors than what was previously available to me in a =
classroom setting. =20
I've have secured a location for a workshop which is rural and has =
appropriate zoning. I checked out local codes and regulations for this =
site and found out that a gas kiln is permissable. The site is rural =
(without Natural gas lines) and I want to fire with LP gas and be able =
to do that individually within a firing period that doesn't exceed 8-12 =
hours. =20
My questions are: Does anyone on the Clayart list have direct =
experience in building, using or firing the Bixler fiber kiln design? =
Have any clayart members built this paticular kiln and have you found it =
suitable, safe, and durable for routinely firing ^10 Reduction? Are =
there any drawbacks with this type of kiln? Did it last for many years? =
Is this a good starter kiln for a person who doesn't want to fire with =
electric oxidation? The 1980CM article says it cost Bixler $600 to =
build this kiln; does anyone know what this kiln modified for propane =
firing would cost to build nowadays?
Prior to posting to clayart, I did an internet search and couldn't find =
a website for Bob Bixler and don't know if he still makes pottery or =
kilns (might be retired?). I also searched the clayart archives and =
found where a couple of Clayart members mentioned this exact same kiln =
related to zoning and AGA certification issues. The zoning issue doesn't =
apply for my situation.=20
Also, if there are any northeastern PA potters or upstate NY area =
potterns within reasonable driving distance from Broome County NY who =
fire ware with fiber kilns and who wouldn't showing me your fiber kiln =
or offering kiln suggestions to another potter, I'd appreciate =
suggestions or sharing. =20
Thanks to anyone with constructive suggestions. =20
Sincerely,
Annalisa
Larry Nakanishi on sat 9 sep 06
annalisa wrote: Hello,
I have a March of 1980 Ceramics Monthly article "A Gas Kiln for the Urban Potter" written by California electrical engineer and ceramist Bob Bixler The article provides a materials list and instruction on building a 20 1/2 cubic foot updraft ceramic fired kiln that Bixler fired on his Natural Gas at house pressure.
Hello Annalisa,
I purchased Mr. Bixler's kiln and would be happy to provide more information if you would like to contact me directly.
Larry Nakanishi
Fremont, CA
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