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kiln foundations -- for small kilns

updated fri 15 aug 08

 

Kathy Forer on thu 14 aug 08


On Apr 19, 2008, at 9:58 PM, Vince Pitelka wrote:

> So as you can see, there is almost no chance of a concrete explosion
> if the
> blocks are laid with the holes face-up, and there is a risk if they
> are laid
> on their sides. I know this is counter-intuitive, with those open
> passages
> beneath the kiln with the blocks laid on their sides, but when you
> really
> examine everything that is going on, laying the blocks with the
> holes face
> up makes a stronger, safer foundation.

Is this an issue with a smaller kiln under 3 cubic feet?

I didn't want to haul 8x8x16 cinder blocks (4x35 lbs = 140 lbs) and
got four 4x8x16 (about 4x17 = 68 lbs) hollow blocks instead.

They are hollow on the short side. Instead of a solid four inch depth,
it's 1.0625" solid wall + 1.5" hollow + 1.0625" solid wall. http://www.boralbestblock.com/resources/files/customImages/CMU/Standard/Standard_4x8x16/4X8X16%20REGULAR%20RS.jpg

It seems like it would be just fine to put the four blocks on their
solid faces, but now I'm wondering. I'm guessing total weight loaded
probably won't be more than 600 pounds.

Clayart leads me to question all sorts of things.


Kathy Forer

Steve Mills on thu 14 aug 08


Kathy,

With due respect to Vince, my experience and those of several fellow Potter=
s here in the (decidedly damp) UK are contrary to his views.=20
All the one-person kilns I have built (capacity=A0 7 to 14 Cu, Ft.) have be=
en built on foundations of hollow concrete blocks, similar to the blocks on=
your link, as well as much larger.=20
My good friend Joe Finch who builds bigger Kilns than I also uses concrete =
blocks both hollow and solid (depending on whether they're indoor or outdoo=
r Kilns), he lays a layer of 1inch ceramic fibre between blocks and bricks,=
that is all.=20
My current generation of kilns have the primary air entering through the fl=
oor of the kiln, between the foundation blocks and the brickwork, so what h=
as never been a problem is even less of one now.
George Bernard Shaw once said: "The Golden Rule is; there are NO golden rul=
es".

I rest my case M'lud!

Steve
Bath
UK

--- On Thu, 8/14/08, Kathy Forer wrote:
From: Kathy Forer
Subject: Re: kiln foundations -- for small kilns
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Date: Thursday, August 14, 2008, 8:35 AM



Is this an issue with a smaller kiln under 3 cubic feet?

I didn't want to haul 8x8x16 cinder blocks (4x35 lbs =3D 140 lbs) and
got four 4x8x16 (about 4x17 =3D 68 lbs) hollow blocks instead.

They are hollow on the short side. Instead of a solid four inch depth,
it's 1.0625" solid wall + 1.5" hollow + 1.0625" solid wall.
http://www.boralbestblock.com/resources/files/customImages/CMU/Standard/Sta=
ndard_4x8x16/4X8X16%20REGULAR%20RS.jpg

It seems like it would be just fine to put the four blocks on their
solid faces, but now I'm wondering. I'm guessing total weight loaded
probably won't be more than 600 pounds.

Clayart leads me to question all sorts of things.


Kathy Forer
=0A=0A=0A