Pfeiffer Fire Arts on sat 5 jul 08
One more point on this and related threads. How
does firing a
computer controlled kiln differ from having
someone else fire
the pot for you? I presume you could tell a tech
to fire a
given profile or take the default the shop or
computer maker
recommends. So only real potters use manual kilns,
anything
else is a sellout! Or is it a buy out? If I had
the money I
would sell out for a computer controlled gas kiln.
Any buyers?
Dan & Laurel in Elkmont Al
www.pfeifferFireArts.com
Kim Hohlmayer on sat 5 jul 08
Dear Mel, et alia,
I see now the error of my ways. Here is the archetype to which I shall aspire from this day forward. Note that I will use the pronoun "he" for clarity but not in a sexist context.
The ultimate potter should have several masters in both chemistry and ceramics from a number of prestigious universities. He should also have apprenticed with one or more famous potters.
This done he will go forth and build his own studio using only his bare hands and tools he himself has made. The potter chops, saws and planes each piece of wood. Then he joins them with hand-hewn pegs gnawed to a perfect fit by his strong jaws and fine, sharp teeth. Using his two bare hands he wrests the clay from the ground for both his kiln bricks and later his pottery. Having saved the grounds from his morning free-trade, organic coffee which he himself helped pick and process in Costa Rica he mixes this in to create these bricks. This person truly owns his studio and kiln while also opperating in a global economy/renewable resourse sort of way.
To insure the "ownness" of his work not only does he dig the clay but mines all the other ingredients for the body and glazes. This is time consuming and he is often arrested for tresspassing at mining sites. He knows though that an artist must suffer for his art.
Also, he must walk to all these places so as to reduce his carbon footprint.
Having mastered blacksmithing he makes all his own tools. He even makes his own found objects. This means that he must go out and lose them so he can then find them. This person understands dedication to his craft.
His penultimate achievement is brush making. He begins by flint knapping arrow heads for his home made bow and arrows. Next he hunts little bunny foo foos and bambies and shoots them dead. Much like my own Native American ancestors he will waste nothing. The fur becomes his famous brushes. The bones become tools. The hides he tans not only for chamois but also as the covering for his art show tent. I suppose that would be the Not-So-EZ-Up.
But I digress. His finest brushes come from skunk fur. The stench is abysmal yet no sacrifice is too great for his art. This amazing potter can also fire proficiently in any manner known throughout the history of human kind. For gas he digs his own oil/gas well. For traditional Southwest Native American firing he keeps a herd of buffalo and lets the chips fall where they may. He even builds his own solar collection system and wind turbine "farm" to run his electric kiln.
This man keeps up to date too with any and all ceramic info. He's memorized the clayart archives, reads every ceramic , craft and art trend magazine in its original language. He can even recite the melting point of every glaze forming combination fo minerals as stated in the ceramic industry reference series. His knowledge of the archaeological record is also flawless.
When this potter makes a pot it is his and his alone. Unfortunately Mr. Perfect has time to make just one pot per year. And as a true artist this pot is non-functional. Yes, all his work results in one good for nothing pot per year. But it is purely and truly his!
Okay, by now you are either laughing or so mad you will never read another post of mine again. And that's if this even makes it to the list.
My point is simply that ANY reasoning can be carried to extremes. I believe there are many paths leading to the same basic destination. --Kim H.
Richard Walker on sat 5 jul 08
Kim,
You should be hearing the thunder of applause from much of the clayart=20
community. If not, there must be a lot more egocentrism out there than=20
I would have ever guessed.
Dick
On Sat, Jul 5, 2008 at 8:08 AM, Kim Hohlmayer wrote:
> Dear Mel, et alia,
=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 I see now the error of my ways.=C2=A0 Here is the =
archetype to which I=20
shall aspire from this day forward.=C2=A0 Note that I will use the pronoun=
=20
"he" for clarity but not in a sexist context.
=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 The ultimate potter should have several masters in=
both chemistry=20
and ceramics from a number of prestigious universities.=C2=A0 He should als=
o=20
have apprenticed with one or more famous potters.
=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 This done he will go forth and build his own studi=
o using only his=20
bare hands and tools he himself has made.=C2=A0 The potter chops, saws and=
=20
planes each piece of wood.=C2=A0 Then he joins them with hand-hewn pegs=20
gnawed to a perfect fit by his strong jaws and fine, sharp teeth.=C2=A0 Usi=
ng=20
his two bare hands he wrests the clay from the ground for both his kiln=20
bricks and later his pottery.=C2=A0 Having saved the grounds from his morni=
ng=20
free-trade, organic coffee which he himself helped pick and process in=20
Costa Rica he mixes this in to create these bricks.=C2=A0 This person truly=
=20
owns his studio and kiln while also opperating in a global=20
economy/renewable resourse sort of way.
=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 To insure the "ownness" of his work not only does =
he dig the clay=20
but mines all the other ingredients for the body and glazes.=C2=A0 This is=
=20
time consuming and he is often arrested for tresspassing at mining=20
sites.=C2=A0 He knows though that an artist must suffer for his art.
=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 Also, he must walk to all these places so as to re=
duce his carbon=20
footprint.
=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 Having mastered blacksmithing he makes all his own=
tools.=C2=A0 He even=20
makes his own found objects.=C2=A0 This means that he must go out and lose=
=20
them so he can then find them.=C2=A0 This person understands dedication to=
=20
his craft.
=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 His penultimate achievement is brush making.=C2=A0=
He begins by flint=20
knapping arrow heads for his home made bow and arrows.=C2=A0 Next he hunts=
=20
little bunny foo foos and bambies and shoots them dead.=C2=A0 Much like my=
=20
own Native American ancestors he will waste nothing.=C2=A0 The fur becomes=
=20
his famous brushes.=C2=A0 The bones become tools.=C2=A0 The hides he tans n=
ot only=20
for chamois but also as the covering for his art show tent.=C2=A0 I suppose=
=20
that would be the Not-So-EZ-Up.
=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 But I digress.=C2=A0 His finest brushes come from =
skunk fur.=C2=A0 The stench=20
is abysmal yet no sacrifice is too great for his art.=C2=A0 This amazing=20
potter can also fire proficiently in any manner known throughout the=20
history of human kind.=C2=A0 For gas he digs his own oil/gas well.=C2=A0 Fo=
r=20
traditional Southwest Native American firing he keeps a herd of buffalo=20
and lets the chips fall where they may.=C2=A0 He even builds his own solar=
=20
collection system and wind turbine "farm" to run his electric kiln.
=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 This man keeps up to date too with any and all cer=
amic info.=C2=A0 He's=20
memorized the clayart archives, reads every ceramic , craft and art=20
trend magazine in its original language.=C2=A0 He can even recite the melti=
ng=20
point of every glaze forming combination fo minerals as stated in the=20
ceramic industry reference series.=C2=A0 His knowledge of the archaeologica=
l=20
record is also flawless.
=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 When this potter makes a pot it is his and his alo=
ne.=C2=A0=20
Unfortunately Mr. Perfect has time to make just one pot per year.=C2=A0 And=
=20
as a true artist=C2=A0 this pot is non-functional.=C2=A0 Yes, all his work =
results=20
in one good for nothing pot per year.=C2=A0 But it is purely and truly his!
=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 Okay, by now you are either laughing=C2=A0 or so m=
ad you will never read=20
another post of mine again.=C2=A0 And that's if this even makes it to the=
=20
list.
My point is simply that ANY reasoning can be carried to extremes.=C2=A0 I=
=20
believe there are many paths leading to the same basic destination.=C2=A0=
=20
--Kim H.
Kelly Savino on sun 6 jul 08
Pfeiffer Fire Arts wrote:
One more point on this and related threads. How
does firing a computer controlled kiln differ from having
someone else fire the pot for you? I presume you could tell a tech
to fire a given profile or take the default the shop or
computer maker recommends. So only real potters use manual kilns,
anything else is a sellout! Or is it a buy out? If I had
the money I would sell out for a computer controlled gas kiln.
Any buyers?
________________________________________________________________________
_______
OK, I'll bite.
One of my kilns is computer controlled. I bought it, got neighbors to
help me lift it off the truck, installed it, set up the vent system. I
chose the kiln furniture and, after several firings, learned how to
place stilts and shelves and stack to even out the temperature from top
to bottom. I mix and apply kiln wash, and replace elements when needed.
I figure out what different temps and ramps do with different glazes --
slow cooled mattes, the best kakis and flashy orange-reds, or an elusive
look I am pursuing by trying to replace albany slip, in falls creek
shino, with an earthenware I dig locally. A million ramp combinations to
try.
Every time I load the kiln I am doing a dance with space, size, heat/air
circulation, and getting the most out of my electric bill. Mug handles
interdigitate, short pieces nest under rims of larger, convex next to
concave. Kiln loading is like playing tetris. It's one of my favorite
steps in the process.
When I open the kiln I learn something from every load: how a glaze does
in the slow-cooling center, as opposed to the same glaze on an edge, in
the top, or the bottom. Why a pinhole here, but not there? Bisque
higher, lower next time? When things go wrong I scrape shelves w/ chisel
and eye protection.
So, yeah, it's different from handing it to the tech.
My intention is not to make one way sound somehow more valid than other
ways.... but the comparison seemed overly simplistic, because even
loading and unloading the most "automated" kiln offers a chance to learn
something.
Yours
Kelly in Ohio.. home from a holiday weekend with kids, parents and
grandma at the lake.. and a Saturday trip to the Hillsdale farmer's
market, where we went a little nuts at the poultry auction. I brought
home two charming banty hens... my dad bought a dozen quail to release
in his woods.. and my son had his first experience with the bidding
card, buying himself five saddleback pigeons and beginning a new hobby.
I wish I had a picture of him standing there with his bid in, all
excited, and the circle of farmers with arms crossed, half grinning,
unable to bring themselves to bid against the kid...
Karin Givon on sun 6 jul 08
Beautiful, Kim! Seems to me you could get a job as a satirist if you
want to abandon pottery! But please don't. IF that humor even
HALFWAY comes thru your pots, we'll all be richer for it. That was fun.
Karin
Lee Love on sun 6 jul 08
On Sat, Jul 5, 2008 at 11:02 PM, Pfeiffer Fire Arts
wrote:
> else is a sellout! Or is it a buy out? If I had
> the money I
> would sell out for a computer controlled gas kiln.
> Any buyers?
>
>
I am aiting for the computer controlled multi-chamber, wood fired
noborigama! :^)
Actually, I think a pellet fired, computer controlled wood kiln is fiesable.
--
Lee Love in Minneapolis
http://mashikopots.blogspot.com/
http://claycraft.blogspot.com/
"We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is
rounded with a sleep." --PROSPERO Tempest Shakespeare
Jeff Gieringer on sun 6 jul 08
The new Geil is on my Christmas list!! I really don't expect the wife to
bite though.
Jeff Gieringer
www.powdermillpottery.com
www.powdermillpottery.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/powdermillpottery
----- Original Message -----
From: "Pfeiffer Fire Arts"
To:
Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2008 12:02 AM
Subject: Re: A Final Word/With Tongue Firmly in Cheeck
> One more point on this and related threads. How
> does firing a
> computer controlled kiln differ from having
> someone else fire
> the pot for you? I presume you could tell a tech
> to fire a
> given profile or take the default the shop or
> computer maker
> recommends. So only real potters use manual kilns,
> anything
> else is a sellout! Or is it a buy out? If I had
> the money I
> would sell out for a computer controlled gas kiln.
> Any buyers?
>
>
> Dan & Laurel in Elkmont Al
> www.pfeifferFireArts.com
>
William & Susan Schran User on mon 7 jul 08
On 7/7/08 12:05 AM, "Kelly Savino" wrote:
> One more point on this and related threads. How
> does firing a computer controlled kiln differ from having
> someone else fire the pot for you? I presume you could tell a tech
> to fire a given profile or take the default the shop or
> computer maker recommends. So only real potters use manual kilns,
> anything else is a sellout! Or is it a buy out? If I had
> the money I would sell out for a computer controlled gas kiln.
> Any buyers?
Well, instead of going out to catch the kiln at a certain temperature, one
programs the heating & cooling ramps into the kiln - so you are firing the
kiln and you've planned the firing.
The programmable kiln is great for us firing crystalline glazes. I know, I
started doing crystalline firings on a manual kiln and actually resisted
getting a programmable one.
Geil Kiln is in the process of developing a programmable gas fired kiln.
They already have prototypes working now. For us crystal glaze nuts, it
would be wonderful to be able to program our heating ramps and holds in
oxidation (necessary for crystal glazes), then reduction during the cooling
cycle for reduction colors.
Bill
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
Hank Murrow on mon 7 jul 08
On Jul 7, 2008, at 4:29 PM, tony clennell wrote:
> Hank: I think I found your programmer. It's your ole buddy Joe Davis.
> He programmed the new Geil and now he is on holidays for 3 weeks. he
> is the only one in the building that knows how to fire the ruddy
> thing.
Hey Tony;
I need the guy who created the program for the Controller, not the
guy who programmed the kiln, though I dearly anticipate Joe's visit
later in the month.
> I hate the controller on my kiln and wish I could over ride it.
The only good controller is one which can be over-ridden.
> Where I live we often get momentary brown outs of electricity and
> if you
> ain't watching the friggin thing is off and your load can be ruined.
> Just before I left I was out mowing the lawn when we had a brown out-
> the kiln was at 2000f and when I discovered it on my hourly check it
> had dropped to 1500 and reoxidized all my carbon trap. Every pot went
> to the dump. I figure a loose of $4000.
That would really 'chap maah butt!'
> Beer weather here- Pinot in the fall.
Hah! Pinot weather here all the time, though just now an ice cube
might be indicated. opened a bottle of Brynn Mawr Reserve form 2005 a
week past...... Wow!
But Viognier from S. Oregon or E. Washington would be real nice too.
Cheers, Hank
Shula on mon 7 jul 08
I have been to several workshops at Geil. We used the automated everything kiln. It was great. When I win the lottery . . .
Shula
Desert Hot Springs, California, USA
Hank wrote:
>> I am still looking for an expert programmer who can design a
>> controller using an Oxyprobe to sample both temperature and
>> atmosphere and give commands to the kiln. A servo-controlled damper
>> is also necessary.
Bill wrote:
>And that is what this kiln does.
>It has both thermocouple and oxyprobe.
>The kiln is programmed for heating/cooling ramps and atmosphere.
>Gas pressure and damper are controlled by the program.
>
>Here's the link to the auto damper system:
>http://www.kilns.com/auto_damper.htm
>
Hank Murrow on mon 7 jul 08
On Jul 7, 2008, at 7:15 AM, William & Susan Schran User wrote:
>
> Geil Kiln is in the process of developing a programmable gas fired =20
> kiln.
> They already have prototypes working now. For us crystal glaze =20
> nuts, it
> would be wonderful to be able to program our heating ramps and =20
> holds in
> oxidation (necessary for crystal glazes), then reduction during the =20=
> cooling
> cycle for reduction colors.
Dear Bill;
The trick here is to realize that when the controller increases the =20
gas, it must also increase the air or damper so that the reduction =20
(or oxidation) remains constant. Simultaneous automatic control of =20
both functions(temperature & atmosphere) is a requirement not easily =20
met in a fuel kiln in my experience.
I am still looking for an expert programmer who can design a =20
controller using an Oxyprobe to sample both temperature and =20
atmosphere and give commands to the kiln. A servo-controlled damper =20
is also necessary. A graphic interface using a laptop would also be =20
wonderful. I would love to draw a firing curve on my Mac and program =20
the kiln to do that..... including reduction, neutral, and oxidation =20=
r=E9gimes.
Cheers, and find me that programmer!
Hank in Eugene(Track City)
William & Susan Schran User on mon 7 jul 08
On 7/7/08 3:27 PM, "Hank Murrow" wrote:
> The trick here is to realize that when the controller increases the
> gas, it must also increase the air or damper so that the reduction
> (or oxidation) remains constant. Simultaneous automatic control of
> both functions(temperature & atmosphere) is a requirement not easily
> met in a fuel kiln in my experience.
>=20
> I am still looking for an expert programmer who can design a
> controller using an Oxyprobe to sample both temperature and
> atmosphere and give commands to the kiln. A servo-controlled damper
> is also necessary. A graphic interface using a laptop would also be
> wonderful. I would love to draw a firing curve on my Mac and program
> the kiln to do that..... including reduction, neutral, and oxidation
> r=E9gimes.
>=20
> Cheers, and find me that programmer!
Hank,
And that is what this kiln does.
It has both thermocouple and oxyprobe.
The kiln is programmed for heating/cooling ramps and atmosphere.
Gas pressure and damper are controlled by the program.
Here's the link to the auto damper system:
http://www.kilns.com/auto_damper.htm
Alas, it's PC/Windows based.
I, like you, would much rather have it Mac based....
Bill
--=20
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
tony clennell on mon 7 jul 08
Hank: I think I found your programmer. It's your ole buddy Joe Davis.
He programmed the new Geil and now he is on holidays for 3 weeks. he
is the only one in the building that knows how to fire the ruddy
thing.
I hate the controller on my kiln and wish I could over ride it. Where
I live we often get momentary brown outs of electricity and if you
ain't watching the friggin thing is off and your load can be ruined.
Just before I left I was out mowing the lawn when we had a brown out-
the kiln was at 2000f and when I discovered it on my hourly check it
had dropped to 1500 and reoxidized all my carbon trap. Every pot went
to the dump. I figure a loose of $4000.
Beer weather here- Pinot in the fall.
Cheers,
Tony
On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 4:34 PM, William & Susan Schran User
wrote:
> On 7/7/08 3:27 PM, "Hank Murrow" wrote:
>
>> The trick here is to realize that when the controller increases the
>> gas, it must also increase the air or damper so that the reduction
>> (or oxidation) remains constant. Simultaneous automatic control of
>> both functions(temperature & atmosphere) is a requirement not easily
>> met in a fuel kiln in my experience.
>>
>> I am still looking for an expert programmer who can design a
>> controller using an Oxyprobe to sample both temperature and
>> atmosphere and give commands to the kiln. A servo-controlled damper
>> is also necessary. A graphic interface using a laptop would also be
>> wonderful. I would love to draw a firing curve on my Mac and program
>> the kiln to do that..... including reduction, neutral, and oxidation
>> r=E9gimes.
>>
>> Cheers, and find me that programmer!
>
> Hank,
>
> And that is what this kiln does.
> It has both thermocouple and oxyprobe.
> The kiln is programmed for heating/cooling ramps and atmosphere.
> Gas pressure and damper are controlled by the program.
>
> Here's the link to the auto damper system:
> http://www.kilns.com/auto_damper.htm
>
> Alas, it's PC/Windows based.
> I, like you, would much rather have it Mac based....
>
> Bill
>
> --
> William "Bill" Schran
> wschran@cox.net
> wschran@nvcc.edu
> http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
>
--=20
http://sourcherrypottery.com
http://smokieclennell.blogspot.com
Jim Kasper on tue 8 jul 08
Ceramic Arts Discussion ListMore requirements for an ideal controllor.
I would surely allow for an overide function.
Another option would be operating all actuators with DC and running the
system on Lead acid storage batteries, and using grid power to keep the
batteries charged.
Regards,
Jim
****************************************************************************
*****************
Tony says:
I hate the controller on my kiln and wish I could over ride it. Where
I live we often get momentary brown outs of electricity and if you
ain't watching the friggin thing is off and your load can be ruined.
Just before I left I was out mowing the lawn when we had a brown out-
the kiln was at 2000f and when I discovered it on my hourly check it
had dropped to 1500 and reoxidized all my carbon trap. Every pot went
to the dump. I figure a loose of $4000.
Beer weather here- Pinot in the fall.
Cheers,
Tony
Zafka Studios
Jensen Beach, FL
http://zafka.com
772-334-3070
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