dalecochoy on fri 24 nov 06
I find myself needing to replace the elements in my 9 yr old Evenheat =
kiln. It is barely chugging along at cone 6 wayyyyy too long! I do all =
my bisque work in this kiln and sometimes fire it to cone 6 for some =
clays when I don't use the gas kiln.
Anyway, I got the elements from Euclid and went to start the job.
I found myself wondering: Do folks usually actually pull these elements =
out in one piece ( seems like would take forever) or do usually just cut =
them to pieces and pull the pieces out. Seems quicker that way with less =
potential damage to the wall channels?
I read through the archives on this subject but didn't really see =
anything that answers my question.
Length , it seems, could be measured pretty close witha string in the =
grove?
This will be my first element replacement BTW in case you didn't already =
figure that! :>)
Dale Cochoy
Wild Things Bonsai Studio
Hartville, Ohio Zone 5
Don Goodrich on sat 25 nov 06
Dale,
It's very rare for used elements to come out in one piece.
Firings make them brittle, so they won't tolerate much bending.
I've replaced my Evenheat's elements several times over the years,
and they almost always conveniently break at some of the corners.
If your elements haven't been prestretched to the correct
length by your supplier, you can save yourself some frustration
by stretching them to length before installation. The string idea
you mentioned works!
Don Goodrich
William & Susan Schran User on sat 25 nov 06
On 11/24/06 1:51 PM, "dalecochoy" wrote:
> I found myself wondering: Do folks usually actually pull these elements out in
> one piece ( seems like would take forever) or do usually just cut them to
> pieces and pull the pieces out. Seems quicker that way with less potential
> damage to the wall channels?
Yikes! DO NOT CUT THE ELEMENTS!
They must remain as one continuous length/loop to function.
>Length , it seems, could be measured pretty close with a string in the grove?
Yes, this is a good method to measure the length.
After measuring, lay the string on the floor and lay the element next to it.
If it doesn't match, if it needs stretching (only measure the coiled area,
don't include the pigtail/twisted part), have somebody hold one end, you
pull the other a bit beyond the string length, let coil spring back, check
length, repeat as needed.
Use element pins just in the corners.
Change one element at a time.
Make sure all connections are clean & tight.
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
William & Susan Schran User on sun 26 nov 06
On 11/25/06 9:56 AM, "William & Susan Schran User" wrote:
>> I found myself wondering: Do folks usually actually pull these elements out
>> in
>> one piece ( seems like would take forever) or do usually just cut them to
>> pieces and pull the pieces out. Seems quicker that way with less potential
>> damage to the wall channels?
>
> Yikes! DO NOT CUT THE ELEMENTS!
Boy, do I feel like an idiot!
After a private message and re-reading the original post, the question was
about pulling out the elements! DUH!
Ok, first, make certain all elements pins have been removed.
Using wire cutters, clip the element loose from the pigtail where it comes
through the interior wall. Pull the element along the groove, out from this
open area in the brick. You can cut the element at each corner and slide the
pieces around or pull them out at the corners. You'll want to ease them out
so as not to damage the brick.
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
Steve Slatin on sun 26 nov 06
Bill --
I believe what Dale was asking was do folks cut the OLD elements
or try to remove them all in one piece. My kiln has element guides
so it's not so significant, but I'd bet that with elements directly in
the brick, it'd involve less damage to cut them several times.
But I can't speak to this question, only once having removed
old elements from a non-guide kiln.
-- Steve Slatin
You wrote --
> I found myself wondering: Do folks usually actually pull these elements out in
> one piece ( seems like would take forever) or do usually just cut them to
> pieces and pull the pieces out. Seems quicker that way with less potential
> damage to the wall channels?
Yikes! DO NOT CUT THE ELEMENTS!
They must remain as one continuous length/loop to function.
Steve Slatin --
Well, he came home from the war
With a party in his head
And a modified Brougham DeVille
And a pair of legs that opened up
Like butterfly wings
And a mad dog that wouldn’t sit still
---------------------------------
Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited.
dalecochoy on sun 26 nov 06
----- Original Message -----
From: "William & Susan Schran User"
To:
Sent: Saturday, November 25, 2006 9:56 AM
Subject: Re: Element replacement queries
> On 11/24/06 1:51 PM, "dalecochoy" wrote:
>
>> I found myself wondering: Do folks usually actually pull these elements
>> out in
>> one piece ( seems like would take forever) or do usually just cut them to
>> pieces and pull the pieces out. Seems quicker that way with less
>> potential
>> damage to the wall channels?
>
> Yikes! DO NOT CUT THE ELEMENTS!
>
> They must remain as one continuous length/loop to function.
Uh, thanks for the warning Bill, but I WAS asking about the old elements
I'll be throwing away!
Dale
dalecochoy on sun 26 nov 06
Thanks Don,
I figured they might come apart some. GOOD!
Yes, was aware of prestretching to right length.
As soon as cooling load of bisque is out I'm all over it! Thanks.
About how long can I expect it to take for the 6 coils seeing that the kiln
is not stackable and I'll be hanging down in?
Dale Cochoy
Wild Things Bonsai Studio
Hartville, Ohio Zone 5
----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Goodrich"
To:
Sent: Saturday, November 25, 2006 11:28 AM
Subject: Re: Element replacement queries
> Dale,
> It's very rare for used elements to come out in one piece.
> Firings make them brittle, so they won't tolerate much bending.
> I've replaced my Evenheat's elements several times over the years,
> and they almost always conveniently break at some of the corners.
>
> If your elements haven't been prestretched to the correct
> length by your supplier, you can save yourself some frustration
> by stretching them to length before installation. The string idea
> you mentioned works!
>
> Don Goodrich
William & Susan Schran User on sun 26 nov 06
On 11/26/06 12:43 PM, "dalecochoy" wrote:
> About how long can I expect it to take for the 6 coils seeing that the kiln
> is not stackable and I'll be hanging down in?
Give your self a couple of hours for the first time.
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
Lori Pierce on mon 27 nov 06
Hi Don...tho I have 'read' you for Clayart years, we have never met. I have
just seen the Clayart Gallery and your fabulous bowl and wanted to say, WOW!
Thanks for the view of your work. I really liked it.
Several of the gallery pieces peaked my interest in Ravenscrag slip tho I
haven't found a supplier closer than Bailey in New York and thats a pricey haul
from Florida! Perhaps you know of a closer one. At cone 10 I think it would pay
for itself ( I am now tottering thru the golden years at cone six!)
Lori Pierce in Orange Park Florida.
Piercepottery@AOL.com
...trying to get my little Shimpo pug mill shipped down from Maine (stored in
lobstering brother's workshop) and wondering if I really have to break down
my Venco pugmill to pug white clay after brown..knowing darned well I do.) And
wishing I knew more about the new twin auger mixer-puggers or Peter Puggers
from experience. Again, thanks Don, Lori.
Arnold Howard on mon 27 nov 06
From: "dalecochoy"
I find myself needing to replace the elements in my 9 yr old
Evenheat kiln. It is barely chugging along at cone 6
-------------
The elements should be pushed to the back of the firebrick
corners. Otherwise they may eventually bulge out of the
grooves. Also, as you install the new elements, do not let
them touch the kiln-washed firebrick bottom. You can place
newspaper in the bottom to prevent kiln wash contamination.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
Don Goodrich on tue 28 nov 06
Hi Dale,
You've probably got the job done by now, it's been
so long since you initially wrote.
I'd agree that a couple of hours should be enough,
provided that you don't find many unexpectecd things that
need attention while you have the control box open.
Be sure to relax your hanging muscles from time to time!
Don
On Sun, 26 Nov 2006 12:43:02 -0500, dalecochoy
wrote:
>Thanks Don,
>I figured they might come apart some. GOOD!
>Yes, was aware of prestretching to right length.
>As soon as cooling load of bisque is out I'm all over it! Thanks.
>About how long can I expect it to take for the 6 coils seeing that the kiln
>is not stackable and I'll be hanging down in?
>Dale Cochoy
>Wild Things Bonsai Studio
>Hartville, Ohio Zone 5
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