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shortening a heating element coil

updated wed 16 nov 05

 

earlk on tue 15 nov 05


I purchased a new set of heating elements for my kiln.
They are about a foot too long. Other than by squeezing
the coils together with needle nose pliars does anybody
have any other suggestions on how to shorten them?

Yes,I know, don't cut them as that would change their
electrical properties.

Thanks...
earlk...
bothell, wa, usa

Louis Katz on tue 15 nov 05


Having the coils a bit long helps them stay in the grooves as you pin
them. If you can get them in they will probably stay put when you heat
them up, If they are too long use smooth edged pliers so you don't
scratch the elements and compress them on one side and then the other
side of the coil so they stay straight. I used to have a set of sort of
duck billed smooth parallel jawed piers I used for this. The
disappeared a few years ago. They were cool as they compressed booth
sides of the coil at the same time. I try to get elements from the
manufacturer as these usually fit well.

Louis
Real World
going to check a kiln
http://www.louiskatz.net

Arnold Howard on tue 15 nov 05


From: "earlk"
>I purchased a new set of heating elements for my kiln.
> They are about a foot too long. Other than by squeezing
> the coils together with needle nose pliars does anybody
> have any other suggestions on how to shorten them?

If the elements were stretched to the correct length at the factory, then
you might have the wrong elements. The correct elements should not be a foot
too long. It is possible that your elements have the correct ohms but are
stretched for a kiln with 2 1/2"-thick walls and your kiln has 3"-thick
walls.

The elements should be pressed all the way to the back of each corner.
Otherwise they will be too long.

To shorten the elements, do not squeeze the coils in only a short section of
element. Otherwise one section of kiln will get too hot. Try to squeeze the
coils over a long length of element. The coils should not be squeezed
tightly enough to touch.

Sincerely,

Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com

William & Susan Schran User on tue 15 nov 05


On 11/15/05 3:04 AM, "earlk" wrote:

> I purchased a new set of heating elements for my kiln.
> They are about a foot too long. Other than by squeezing
> the coils together with needle nose pliars does anybody
> have any other suggestions on how to shorten them?

Are you certain you received the correct elements for your kiln?

Have you gotten replacement elements for this kiln from this supplier in the
past and they fit?

The elements should fit tight into the back of the element groove when
they're installed correctly, but and extra foot seems excessive.

Correct elements for a kiln depend on the number of windings per inch, so
squeezing them together defeats the manufacturers recommendations.

Check with your supplier to be certain you have the correct elements for
your kiln.


-- William "Bill" Schran
Fredericksburg, Virginia
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu