Showing posts with label kiln. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kiln. Show all posts

Friday, February 18, 2011

Studio Rental Space - BrickPitt Ceramic Studio

Studio Rental Space - BrickPitt Ceramic Studio

Heather Connolly in her studio.

http://www.brickpittceramicstudio.com


Heather has established a clay studio in the Penn Hills section of Pittsburgh and is offering rental space to potters, along with classes and open studio time.

To discuss rental, contact Heather at:
brickpittstudio@gmail.com
 or call
412-727-1329

 Studio is located at
102 Purity Road. Pittsburgh, Pa. 15235

Heather has a group of potter's wheels, kiln, shelving, ect.

 

BrickPitt Ceramic Studio is outfitted with two large work tables, a large wedging table and glaze table as well as built-in shelving for ample storage space and 24 hour access for renters.

Future plans include acquiring a slab roller, extruder, spray booth and additional electric kiln.



Additional information is at the website:
http://www.brickpittceramicstudio.com 

If you are a potter in the area, make yourself known to her.

Welcome and good luck.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

For sale - recrystallized silicon carbide shelves

Jerry Wagner has for sale 150 recrystallized silicon carbide shelves that measure 19" x 22" x 5/8" thick and weigh approximately 6 lbs. each.  Jerry is asking $150.00 each.  

These are brand new shelves and are excellent for reduction firing.  One note of caution:  In cooling, starting at 500 degrees Centigrade, they need a cooling rate of 25 degrees per half hour to prevent cracking.

You can contact Jerry on his cell at 724 317-9105.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Wood firing at Clarion University.

Wood firing at Clarion University.

 The site and kiln.

The wood kiln (anagama style http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anagama_kiln) was built on the side of a hill located on the far side of Clarion campus beyond the football field.  The clay program is run by "Greeny" Greenberg and the kiln was designed and built by his predecessor, Jim Brashear. 
 
The kiln is fired at least four times per year or more, depending on Greeny's desire and the availability of interested participants.  I attended the firing that was done late summer and the participants were a collection of a few students, former students, and other potters in the area.  

Most of the pictures were taken by Mark Anderton with some by myself and Lisa Sittig.  Greeny's name is spelled correctly (his official signature on campus documents).  Ignore the misspelling by Mark on some of the photographs.  Mouse-over the photos and click to enlarge for better detail.  Also, if you are interested in participating in a future wood firing, drop Greeny a line to express your interest:  
greenber@clarion.edu



 Greeny and Dr. Karen M. Whitney, the president of Clarion University.  I'll let you figure out who is who. 

 Inspecting the entry fee for the firing.


"Coca-Cola!! Sorry, you failed.  Go home."





 As most of you know, one of the first steps is wadding each piece so it does not stick to the shelves or to other pieces.  Wadding is usually fire clay mixed with sawdust and held in place by glue.




 More wadding and more socializing.

 Potters sometimes have to improvise.


 Chopping wood.  Greeny asked me to help him find an inexpensive, mechanical wood splitter.  Some of his log splitters have aged and they complain too much.  Much of the wood is gathered from trees that have fallen or taken down on campus.

 That is a small door opening to climb through if you ask me.  On the other hand, it does not take long to brick it up.


Ready to load.

Kiln loading.

More loading.

 Loading finally done!

 Hot coals being prepared for the start of the firing.

 Last minute modifications.
  
 The firing.


More firing.



And more - it gets intense at times.



One log at a time.


Stirring things up.


The blaze.


The flames.


The stack.
Stack, at night.


Night firing 1.


Night fire 2.


Night fire 3.


Night fire 4.

The kiln dog.  Someone got confused and wrote "We need a kiln god", but god came out dog.  Maybe he works better than a clay kiln god.  Anyway, he is Greeny's and he is part of every firing.  He keeps the pests away and nips complainers in the butt.


It takes a whole village to fire this wood kiln.


Workers resting.


"You said, what! I have to go check the cones again?"




The results #1.


The results #2.


Results #3.  


The results #4.


The results #5.  Suspect this was Greeny's.


The results #6.


Essential kiln unloading tool.


The cone packs.  As with many wood kiln firings the temperature and the results vary from firing to firing.  This one turned out well.  Kiln reached Cone 14 at the back and that is where the porcelain was stacked.


Greeny's tired and it's time to go home.
Good job girls and guys!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Kiln building resources



I thought some of you kiln builders might be able to use this.  Mark Peters of Pine Root Pottery in NC scanned an old AP Greene book with relevant information about kiln building, calculating arches, ect.  They are provided as pdf files.

http://www.pinerootpottery.com/kiln_building_resources.htm

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Orton Programmable Kiln Controller through Vulcan Kilns



Many of us have kilns that currently do not possess a programmable controller.  The kilns are perfectly good but lacking in this feature.  I have two 10 cu ft Cone 10 Crusaders and a 7 cu ft cone 10 Crusader all without programmable controllers.  Vulcan Kilns in Ohio can provide you with a controller at a reasonable cost that does not involve major rewiring of your kiln.

Vulcan kilns is offering  Orton's latest model Autofire3000 kiln controller wall box at an approximate $200 savings off list.  Assembled by Vulcan Kilns and sold directly without retailer markup you will not find a better price anywhere.  This standalone “plug and play” controller is a great addition to any electric kiln.  This single zone controller allows the user to program and save 9 separate firing schedules with 10 or more user defined heating and cooling rates, target temperatures and hold times.  Whether the application is ceramic or pottery firings, glass fusing, enameling, or heat treating the Autofire3000 will provide consistent quality firings.

    The wall mount enclosure is designed to mount near the kiln.  It comes with a variety of power cords and receptacles.  The components, plug and receptacle are assembled to your kiln’s requirements so it can usually be used on a single kiln only and not moved from one kiln to another.

 Listed price is for up to a 30 Amp kiln.
  
Up to 30 amps the controller is priced at $449.

*  30+ amps up to 60 Amps is an additional $30.00
*  Up to 100 Amps direct wire is an additional $100 from the listed price.

 You choose the receptacle to fit your kiln from the graphic in the ad on the eBay site(see link below).    Additional plugs such as twist lock are available but will be an additional $30.00  

This controller offers the user the choice of user programs (you enter custom programs) or conefire method option.    Maximum program time is 99 hours, however additional firing time can be added "on the fly" for those needing this application.

Features include: set point control, skip segment, delay start, threshold alarm, temp units(Celsius, Fahrenheit), kiln test, add time, power failure recovery, indicating power LEDs, cone or thermocouple offsets, edit active firing schedules, and adjustable preheat and hold times.

    The Autofire3000 comes complete and fully assembled with 6 feet of power cord,  type K thermocouple with 8ft of wire from to controller to the thermocouple, operation manual and 2 year manufacturer controller warranty.

 Shipping costs are calculated, please use the shipping calculator.  Ships via UPS ground to the USA.  Typical costs are $20-$25.  These are in-stock partially assembled and are finished to your specifications this takes 3 days to 1 week.  Transit time for UPS ground is 1-6 days in the USA depending on location.  Additional handling time may apply for special orders.   


I have talked to Jeff, and he seems very knowledgeable and helpful.  I am saving my pennies for one or two of these.  Buying through Vulcan will save you approximately $200 or more vs other places.  Additional information on the controller from Orton's site:
http://www.ortonceramic.com/controllers/standalone3000.shtml 

You can contact them direct at Vulcan Kilns, 7623 Clyo Road, Centerville, OH 45459  Attn:  Jeffrey Williams, President.  Phone:  937 433-1833 or email: vulcankilns@sbcglobal.net

Terry

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Wood firing at Clarion Univ. starting August 20.

Another Up Date.  
I am driving up Friday morning from Pgh. returning in the evening.  Purpose is to document the kiln, loading ect.  Not putting work in the kiln.  So if anyone wants a ride, let me know.  You can take work along as long as you clear it with Greeny.  Leaving Pgh. around 7:30-8:00 AM.  Terry 


Up Date! 


Summer firing is on!
Fri Aug. 20 - Sun Aug. 22.
Have a dozen + participants.
Loading begins 10:00am Fri.
Call or  txt me with your e.t.a. to confirm.
(greeny)  814 715-4552

There will be a wood firing of the kiln at Clarion with loading starting on Friday, August 20 and finishing that evening.  Greeny informs me that there is space available and potters who will like to participate should call him at 814 715-4552.  You should call ahead to time to determine that there is space available and to work out the details with Greeny.  The kiln is located at the back end of the parking lot for Clarion U's stadium off of Route 322.  Greeny's email is ggreenberg@clarion.edu .