mel jacobson on wed 11 oct 06
firing off resists will always create
bad fumes.
it just goes without saying...venting is
critical with all kiln systems.
remember, resist is the first thing that burns off.
very low temp, sort of under 500F.
so. you get smell, and smoke and then it goes
away...but, the other stuff that comes from the
clay and glaze may not be so obvious, but
just as dangerous.
VENT. it will make your life easier, and you will
live longer.
my kiln room is next to my studio, unheated,
with power vent, air exchange system
and 5 fans. gas kiln and a big electric/bisque only.
there is a sealed door between my kiln room and
studio.
i like it that way...and when i check kilns, it is just
in and out...i don't hang out in that room.
i am more and more advocating using a small
warm up burner in gas kilns...sort of a big
pilot light. after several friends have had
near death experiences with blow'd up advancers
i keep telling myself...`your little pre/heat burner
has maybe saved your bacon on several occasions.`
it goes back to the simple system of always loading
kilns on a pre/arranged time schedule.
load kiln at 4 p.m.
get things all arranged for tomorrow...no scheduled
events.
turn on small burner about 7 p.m.
let it burn all night..with baso/valve safety system
in place.
up early/5 a.m. kiln is at 650F. all wax has burned off.
room atmosphere is clear.
power vent at super low.
light kiln, power at 3/4. let her rip.
pots are hot, kiln and shelves are ready for max heat.
fire your kiln. vent system turned up, as kiln heats.
and, if things go well, you are done in the afternoon.
rest of the day free.
i refuse to fire kilns into the late night. it is so dangerous.
you fall asleep at a table...wake up three hours later.
kiln firing ruined. also. never drink alcohol around a kiln
firing. it is the worst thing you can do...impair your reason.
i know, that is just common sense...but i have seen far too
many drunk potters....and a little dope, think they have
reason. and of course they do not.
firing takes clear headed, planned activity, without interference.
now, that makes sense. firing a big gas or fuel kiln is like going
to war, it is not a beer party.
(always consider: how many dollars worth of pots are in that
kiln and how much time did it take to get ready?
$2,000-6,000. do you screw around with that much
money, ever?) some say...`it is my soul`...well, to me, it
is the gas bill, the dentist, health insurance...soul comes later.
mel
`my pots are the juxtaposition of time and space, revolving
in the filament universe of ancient history. based on the fluid use
of earthen chemistry within my soul and self.` or,
they are just pretty pots to eat food from, and give to others
as gifts, and, i like making stuff.
from: mel/minnetonka.mn.usa
website: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
Clayart page link: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
Marcia Selsor on wed 11 oct 06
That is true , Mel. But I was thinking more of the fumes while the
resist liquid is wet and you are painting with it.
On Oct 11, 2006, at 8:17 AM, mel jacobson wrote:
> firing off resists will always create
> bad fumes.
>
> it just goes without saying...venting is
> critical with all kiln systems.
Marcia Selsor
http://marciaselsor.com
| |
|
