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castable

updated wed 11 jun 08

 

mel jacobson on sat 22 apr 00

i think the word `cheap` in front of the information wanted
puts people off.

what you want is a castable that will last, be the right
stuff for the job.

we purchased a.p. greene castable for the train kiln.
kurt mixed it to exact proportions/added metal pins.
he did a great job, and very hard work.

i would not want to put a 'cheap' castable on any kiln.

i know, i know, money is hard to come by for many.
but, cheap crap to make a kiln, makes a cheap crap kiln.
and cheap crap kilns fall down and kill you.

mel/mn
minnetonka, minnesota, u.s.a
http://www.pclink.com/melpots (website)

Stephani Stephenson on sun 13 aug 00


I'm building a small caternary soda/salt kiln, base about 4" X 4".
Remember Mel talking about steel pins put into the castable, for large
cast slabs. Would like more specific info on what these pins are and
where to get them. Also how many to put into the mix. Also would they
be helpful / necessary in a kiln this size?
Stephani Stephenson
Leucadia CA

Alchemie Ceramic Studio
or

http://home.earthlink.net/~mudmistress/

Clay Coordinator on mon 24 sep 01


Elizabeth,

You can either make you own, or buy Pacocast from Wilco in Asheville. =
(You
may be closer to RHI Industries who sells Mizzou castable. )

Larkin 1-800-898-4532, also sells Mizzou for $15.00 a 55 lb. bag and I =
think Pacocast
is $19.00 for 85 lbs.

Thanks,

John Britt
Penland Clay

L. P. Skeen on mon 24 sep 01


Hey, how much area does a bag o' this stuff cover?
How well does it insulate? Does it compare more to soft or hard brick?

L
----- Original Message -----
From: Clay Coordinator
To:
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2001 3:18 PM
Subject: Re: castable


Elizabeth,

You can either make you own, or buy Pacocast from Wilco in Asheville. (You
may be closer to RHI Industries who sells Mizzou castable. )

Larkin 1-800-898-4532, also sells Mizzou for $15.00 a 55 lb. bag and I think
Pacocast
is $19.00 for 85 lbs.

Thanks,

John Britt
Penland Clay

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mel jacobson on fri 8 jul 05


it is very easy to use.

as you look at the picture please note the
blast of castable in mid air...slamming into the kiln.

we mix it in a cement mixer...not too damp...sorta
like cement. then we throw it as hard as we can on the
dampened kiln structure.
we used the mix with thousands of stainless steel pins.
we used very heavy gloves to handle it...throw them away
when done. full of pins.

after that first layer...about 4 inches thic, we covered
it with a big tarp...let it set overnight.
then sprayed the entire kiln with a mist of water.
then added the second layer.
threw it on with force...then used a trowel.

everyone got in on the act...at least 6 people
moved the mix around...worked on the shape.
then donovan shoooed them away...he finished
it himself.
pouting potters.
mel
from mel/minnetonka.mn.usa
website: http://www.pclink.com/melpots

Edouard Bastarache Inc. on fri 8 jul 05


Mel,

I used the same "stainless steel pins" trick to make casted
high alumina shelves. They had to be very thick ,and heavy tho.

"we used the mix with thousands of stainless steel pins.
we used very heavy gloves to handle it...throw them away
when done. full of pins."



Later,


"Ils sont fous ces quebecois"
"They are insane these quebekers"
"Están locos estos quebequeses"
Edouard Bastarache
Irreductible Quebecois
Indomitable Quebeker
Sorel-Tracy
Quebec
edouardb@sorel-tracy.qc.ca
www.sorel-tracy.qc.ca/~edouardb/Welcome.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30058682@N00/
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/smart2000/index.htm
http://www.digitalfire.com/education/toxicity/

Mike Gordon on sat 9 jul 05


Mel wrote,
we used the mix with thousands of stainless steel pins.
Mel,
Could you tell me a bit more about the pins? Where did you buy them
and are they used similar to fiberglass in clay? Thanks Mike Gordon

Lee Love on tue 10 jun 08


Hank, what do you suggest as a castable refractory for soda?

--
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