[Clayart] old kilns a story

[Ginger Dunlap-Dietz]

Thanks Mel and Ron.

On Sat, Oct 15, 2022 at 3:19 PM <ronroy at ca.inter.net> wrote:

> And don't forget - a vent keeps everything oxidized in an electric
> kiln so your elements last longer and so do your lungs. If the vent
> you use draws air downwards it also helps your kiln fire more evenly.
>
> Depending on the number of firings in a year a vent will pay for
> itself. Think about it. All clay has carbon in it and it has to burn
> out. If there is enough oxygen (vents bring in fresh oxygen) present
> elements do better. They sure don't like reduction.
>
> RR
>
>
> Quoting mel jacobson <melpots at mail.com>:
>
> > there are many old kilns out there that can be used
> > for years to come. knowing basic specs like "phase" etc
> > are critical, and knowing the amperage. it all has to match.
> > distance as Bill has mentioned is critical. if you can, keep the
> > kiln near the breaker box.
> >
> > I do not patch in electrical systems for folks.  far to dangerous.
> > I do it for me, but not others.
> >
> > we got an old electric kiln a few years back for the farm. 40 amp, worked
> > fine with a dryer cord and plug. just a few feet from our garage breaker
> box.
> > it is a "blue diamond", from florida some place. runs with springs to
> auto
> > fire the kiln.  the springs are too tight and the kiln gets far too
> > hot, too fast.
> > I start the kiln, then turn it off, start again, then again. when it
> > hits 500 I
> > just let it go. we only bisque fire in it.
> >
> > I did not change coils, just cleaned it, polished all the
> > connections and let her
> > rip. the entire project of install and firing cost us nothing. about
> > 20 years ago
> > I bought of box of about 50 kiln coils.  all new. left over from a
> > college program.
> > 50 bucks donated to their clay fund.  in a pinch, any one of those
> > coils could be
> > added to this kiln. it will get hot, I just don't worry about the
> > specs.  one coil.
> > I bend coils using a bernzomatic gas torch. turn red, bend. a small
> > set of pliers
> > and away we go. polish all connections, make a tight connection.
> > works great.
> >
> > I even tie coils together when they break in the kiln.  all one has
> > to do is heat
> > the break to red hot, grab the ends and pull them out. sand paper
> > each end, or as I do,
> > use a tiny power grinder.  make them clean and bright...grab both
> > ends, heat to red
> > and twist the two wires together. and then push them into the
> > groove. (yes, use pliers, not
> > your fingers.)
> >
> > I did the twist together coils with an old L&L kiln I got at the
> > dump. After the twist
> > fix, I got 38 firings to bisque temp in that kiln. The control box
> > finally rotted out
> > and was falling off.  I sent a picture to Steve Lewicky the owner of
> > L&L and demanded
> > a new kiln as mine was falling apart. he sure laughed.  that kiln
> > was build by his
> > dad in 1968.
> >
> > the big issue is, if you only bisque fire in an electric kiln, take
> > your time and do it
> > right...it will last for years without new coils.  cone 9 in an
> > electric kiln will be
> > a quick murder of the kiln. WHY DO WE LOVE RON AND JOHN.?  CONE 6,
> > AMAZING POTS AND
> > GLAZES. think of the kilns they have saved.
> >
> > just remember what carol marions has taught us. down fire. it works
> > for you too. cone 6,
> > turn off kiln, then back on for two hours, let it cool, turn it back
> > on at 1700 for
> > for more hours. see what happens. of course she is a world class
> > expert in silica
> > and melt, but you can take her system and make it work for you. down
> > firing is not
> > expensive, one switch on, hold temp. or program it like bill schran
> > does for crystal
> > glazes. it works.  carol shows you the way...follow her, it is why
> > she does it for
> > clayart....shared knowledge.  she wants you to grow and learn. then
> > it becomes your own voice.
> >
> > I will give you any recipe I have...but you cannot have my pots
> > without using my clay and
> > my firing timing. that is the hard part.  anyone can copy a
> > recipe...but, can you make
> > great pots.???? clay body may be the most important part of making
> > "clay" objects fired
> > in a kiln.
> > mel
> >
> >
> > website: www.melpots.com
> > www.melpots.com/CLAYART.HTML
> >
> >
>
>
>
> Ron Roy
> ronroy at ca.inter.net
> Web page ronroy.net
>
>
>
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