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cutting kiln shelves

updated sun 4 apr 10

 

Jonathan Kaplan on tue 24 jun 97

We recently cut alot of our old shelves into small strips to use for
spacers between tile for a large project for a client. We cut various
cordierite compostions as well as silicon carbide.

We rented a tile cutting saw with a diamond blade. Comes with a pump and
resevoir as well as a track system with a moveable car/platform/trolley to
insure perfect straight cuts. The blade is continually lubricated/cooled by
a jet of water as the trolley moves under the blade.

We easily cut strips, squared off broken shelves, etc..etc. in about 3
hours. Total rental was about $35.00 and no blade charge. We rented this
from our local tool/equipment rental place.

Jonathan




Jonathan Kaplan, president jonathan@csn.net
Ceramic Design Group Ltd./Production Services
PO Box 775112
Steamboat Springs CO 80477

(970) 879-9139*voice and fax
http://www.craftweb.com/org/jkaplan/cdg.shtml
http://digitalfire.com/education/articles/kaplan1.htm

mel jacobson on wed 26 dec 01


i have found that any
monument company...(grave stones)
will have a water cutter.

it they are not really busy, they will cut a few
kiln shelves.

not hard, goes fast.

mel
bring trade bait.
some mugs etc.
works a charm.
From:
Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.
web site: http://www.pclink.com/melpots

Ditmar on thu 27 dec 01


For god sake , it isn't rocket science !!!!!

Use a masonry blade ( about $3 ) in a circular saw to score a line and =
snap.=20
If you really need to have someone else take responsibility..... all =
tile and contractors have wet diamond saws.

Ditmar

Donald Burroughs on thu 27 dec 01


As Mel said the key is wet saw. Less dust, safer for the lungs and the
internals in the long run. You might also try looking up any well
established bricklayer who will more than likely have a wet saw they use to
cut chimney firebrick with. I was lucky my next door neighbour is one such
person. Tell them what you do and they usually show a keen interest. I
offered a future piece(s) as compensation despite his good nature. Good
luck and Happy New Year to all on the list!

Donald Burroughs Visit The Vessel Online @
http://www.autobahn.mb.ca/~donaldo

Peter Coates on thu 12 jul 07


How do we cut silicon carbide shelves in half?

Thanks

Peter
Oklahoma City

Gene Arnold on fri 13 jul 07


I took mine to a company that cuts granite counter tops and they were able
to cut them for me. They cut 12 shelves (25 x 28) in half for me for 150.00,
which I thought was a good price.

I tried to cut some my self, with little luck. This is very hard stuff. At
150 bucks I just let them cut the shelves.


Gene & Latonna
mudduck@mudduckpottery.net
www.mudduckpottery.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Coates"
To:
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2007 12:58 AM
Subject: Cutting kiln shelves


> How do we cut silicon carbide shelves in half?
>
> Thanks
>
> Peter
> Oklahoma City
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>

Mike Gordon on fri 13 jul 07


Peter,
I mark a line with a magic marker and a carpenters square. Bought a
cement cutting blade at the hardware store, for my circular saw and
used a squirt bottle on stream to keep the area wet. You can use a
guide clamped on the shelf for a straight line or do it by eye.I
elevated the shelf with a couple of 2x4's since I did the cutting in
the bed of my truck. Good height for my back. Set the blade for about
1/8" cut at a time, go slow, wet often, wear safety glasses, &
mask.Mike Gordon
On Jul 12, 2007, at 9:58 PM, Peter Coates wrote:

> How do we cut silicon carbide shelves in half?
>
> Thanks
>
> Peter
> Oklahoma City
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> _______
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>

William & Susan Schran User on fri 13 jul 07


On 7/13/07 12:58 AM, "Peter Coates" wrote:

> How do we cut silicon carbide shelves in half?

Here's a thread on this from the archives found by a Google search with key
words: "cut silicon carbide kiln shelf":

http://www.potters.org/subject04167.htm


--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com

Paul Herman on fri 13 jul 07


Peter,

Use a wet diamond saw (masonry saw).

best,

Paul Herman

Great Basin Pottery
Doyle, California US
http://greatbasinpottery.com


On Jul 12, 2007, at 9:58 PM, Peter Coates wrote:

> How do we cut silicon carbide shelves in half?
>
> Thanks
>
> Peter
> Oklahoma City
>

Taylor Hendrix on tue 30 mar 10


Howdy clay buds,

I have a question for those of you still on the line. I'm needing to
cut down a shelf so it will fit into a small top hat raku kiln. I've
got a 4 inch grinder with a grinding disk and several cut off disks
for metal. What I want to know is what type of cutoff disk is going to
work for a typical kiln shelf.

Everyone at NCECA, enjoy yourselves and everyone else (those of us
working hard), keep up the good work.

Peace,

Taylor, in Rockport TX
wirerabbit1 on Skype (-0600 UTC)
http://wirerabbit.blogspot.com
http://wirerabbitpots.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirerabbit/

Loren JOnes on thu 1 apr 10


Taylor, you need to get cut offs for masonary. Metal blades will not work. =
=3D
If you are going to need to make a long cut=3DA0I suggest you look in your =
pa=3D
wn shops for a cheap- real cheap! skill saw and get masonary blades for tha=
=3D
t. It will make things much easier! Cheers, Loren=3D0Ahttp://www.lojoclaywo=
rk=3D
s.etsy.com=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A________________________________=3D0AFrom: Ta=
ylor Hendr=3D
ix =3D0ATo: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=3D0ASent: Tue, =
Marc=3D
h 30, 2010 9:04:02 PM=3D0ASubject: cutting kiln shelves=3D0A=3D0AHowdy clay=
buds,=3D
=3D0A=3D0AI have a question for those of you still on the line. I'm needing=
to=3D
=3D0Acut down a shelf so it will fit into a small top hat raku kiln. I've=
=3D0Ag=3D
ot a 4 inch grinder with a grinding disk and several cut off disks=3D0Afor =
me=3D
tal. What I want to know is what type of cutoff disk is going to=3D0Awork f=
or=3D
a typical kiln shelf.=3D0A=3D0AEveryone at NCECA, enjoy yourselves and eve=
ryon=3D
e else (those of us=3D0Aworking hard), keep up the good work.=3D0A=3D0APeac=
e,=3D0A=3D
=3D0ATaylor, in Rockport TX=3D0Awirerabbit1 on Skype (-0600 UTC)=3D0Ahttp:/=
/wirer=3D
abbit.blogspot.com=3D0Ahttp://wirerabbitpots.blogspot.com=3D0Ahttp://www.fl=
ickr=3D
.com/photos/wirerabbit/=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A

Vince Pitelka on thu 1 apr 10


Taylor Hendrix wrote:=3D20
"I have a question for those of you still on the line. I'm needing to
cut down a shelf so it will fit into a small top hat raku kiln. I've
got a 4 inch grinder with a grinding disk and several cut off disks
for metal. What I want to know is what type of cutoff disk is going to
work for a typical kiln shelf."

Taylor -=3D20
When you say "typical kiln shelf," I am assuming you mean a mullite, =3D
cordierite, or high-alumina shelf, and not a silicon carbide shelf. The =
=3D
latter are more of a challenge. But the others are fairly easily cut. =3D
I have had best luck with a good stout skill-saw (I use a Skil =3D
worm-drive) equipped with an 1/8"-thick masonry blade. You can get the =3D
masonry blades at any home-improvement center. A thin diamond blade =3D
works great too, and those are available for your angle grinder as well. =
=3D
In either case, soak the shelf in water and you will have a cooler cut =3D
and very little dust, but get the shelf completely dry before you fire.
- Vince

Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Tech University
vpitelka@dtccom.net; wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka

Taylor Hendrix on fri 2 apr 10


Thanks Loren, Vince, and James.

I had no problem (but mucho dust) using a masonry blade on my angle
grinder. The shelf cut like butter actually.

I knew just enough to make me worry, but not enough to set my mind at
ease. Damn books.

Be safe, Buckaroos,

Taylor, in Rockport TX
wirerabbit1 on Skype (-0600 UTC)
http://wirerabbit.blogspot.com
http://wirerabbitpots.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirerabbit/

David Woof on sat 3 apr 10


Hi Taylor=3D2C
Sounds like you only need to cut one shelf so go for the 4 1/2" masonry bla=
=3D
de in your angle grinder. However these cutting disks add up in cost so if=
=3D
you are cutting a number of shelves=3D2C using a dry cut diamond blade eit=
he=3D
r for the angle grinder or for a skill saw makes economic sense. The skil =
=3D
saw outfitted with a 6 1/2" or 7' blade will cut hard brick into soaps and =
=3D
posts and so pay for itself over time.
If you plan to work clay and build kilns etc over the long haul=3D2C a wet =
ti=3D
le saw with a 10" diamond blade will cut hard brick and and any other ceram=
=3D
ic and glass with ease. Silicon carbide shelves are really hard on the diam=
=3D
ond blade and munch thru masonry blades like they were biscuits and gravy.=
=3D
=3D20
=3D20
David Woof________________Weed Whacking waist high blooming mustard plants =
=3D
so I can keep an eye on my resident Rattlesnake who keeps my studio free of=
=3D
the pack rats that would steal=3D2C have stolen=3D2C my tools.___ Ah Arizo=
na!!=3D
! Ah the Rio Verde!!! And my friends the Wind Scorpions that move like li=
=3D
ttle armored Hummers eating every Walipai Tiger (Kissing Bug)and cock roach=
=3D
that dares to invade or reconnoitre my kingdom.
-----------------------------

Date: Thu=3D2C 1 Apr 2010 22:53:50 -0700
From: Loren JOnes
Subject: Re: cutting kiln shelves

Taylor=3D2C you need to get cut offs for masonary. Metal blades will not wo=
rk=3D
. =3D3D
If you are going to need to make a long cut=3D3DA0I suggest you look in you=
r =3D
pa=3D3D
wn shops for a cheap- real cheap! skill saw and get masonary blades for tha=
=3D
=3D3D
t. It will make things much easier! Cheers=3D2C Loren=3D3D0Ahttp://www.lojo=
clay=3D
work=3D3D
s.etsy.com=3D3D0A=3D3D0A=3D3D0A=3D3D0A________________________________=3D3D=
0AFrom: Ta=3D
ylor Hendr=3D3D
ix =3D3D0ATo: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=3D3D0ASent: T=
ue=3D
=3D2C Marc=3D3D
h 30=3D2C 2010 9:04:02 PM=3D3D0ASubject: cutting kiln shelves=3D3D0A=3D3D0A=
Howdy cl=3D
ay buds=3D2C=3D3D
=3D3D0A=3D3D0AI have a question for those of you still on the line. I'm nee=
ding=3D
to=3D3D
=3D3D0Acut down a shelf so it will fit into a small top hat raku kiln. I've=
=3D
=3D3D0Ag=3D3D
ot a 4 inch grinder with a grinding disk and several cut off disks=3D3D0Afo=
r =3D
me=3D3D
tal. What I want to know is what type of cutoff disk is going to=3D3D0Awork=
f=3D
or=3D3D
a typical kiln shelf.=3D3D0A=3D3D0AEveryone at NCECA=3D2C enjoy yourselves =
and ev=3D
eryon=3D3D
e else (those of us=3D3D0Aworking hard)=3D2C keep up the good work.=3D3D0A=
=3D3D0APe=3D
ace=3D2C=3D3D0A=3D3D
=3D3D0ATaylor=3D2C in Rockport TX=3D3D0Awirerabbit1 on Skype (-0600 UTC)=3D=
3D0Ahttp=3D
://wirer=3D3D
abbit.blogspot.com=3D3D0Ahttp://wirerabbitpots.blogspot.com=3D3D0Ahttp://ww=
w.fl=3D
ickr=3D3D
.com/photos/wirerabbit/=3D3D0A=3D3D0A=3D3D0A=3D3D0A
=3D20
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your =
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