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sawdust temp?

updated fri 24 oct 97

 

NORNSWOOD on sun 19 oct 97

Can any tell me the temp. ranges one can expect in a sawdust firing?
Thanks, Jeannie

Vince Pitelka on mon 20 oct 97

At 02:04 PM 10/19/97 -0400, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Can any tell me the temp. ranges one can expect in a sawdust firing?
>Thanks, Jeannie

Jeannie -
I do not know the exact temperatures. And of course, temperature will
fluctuate widely as the sawdust smolders. But this is not really a firing,
but rather a smoking process. Temperatures reached are not enough for even
minimal sintering of the clay, and therefore work should be bisque-fired
first, if any degree of durability is expected. There are those who do work
which is sawdust fired without a previous bisque, but I believe it is unwise
to sell such work to the public unless you explain clearly that the work is
EXTREMELY fragile and cannot come in contact with water. And technically it
should not be referred to as fired clay.
- Vince

Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
Home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166

Vince Pitelka on tue 21 oct 97

At 02:04 PM 10/19/97 -0400, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Can any tell me the temp. ranges one can expect in a sawdust firing?
>Thanks, Jeannie

Yesterday I posted a message in response to Jeannie's question, and a friend
pointed out to me that she may not have been referring to the smouldering
sawdust-smoking process at all. That process is not a true firing, as
explained. But of course, sawdust can be used as a fuel for low-fire,
high-fire and raku kilns, and works extremely well, as long as the proper
design is used. Lowell Baker from University of Alabama, who posts
frequently on this list, is of course the guru of sawdust-powered kilns.

Sorry Jeannie if I misinterpreted your question.
- Vince

Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
Home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166