Earl Brunner on thu 9 mar 06
Probably not as critical if you stick to cone 6, but if you decide to go
with cone 10, you really might want those options. If the difference in
price isn't a huge issue, go with the choice that gives you the most
options.
Earl Brunner
Las Vegas, NV
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Darrell Walker
Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 9:00 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Intro and kiln questions
Hi,
My daughter (10) and I have gotten into ceramics/pottery in a big way
over the last few months, Currently we are setting up a studio in
our garage, and have all the basics except the kiln. I'm going to
get a Skutt kiln, as they seem to have a good reputation, are what
the local ceramics shop carries, and are actually made locally (we
are in Vancouver, WA, just across the Columbia from Portland, OR).
My primary interest right now is bonsai pots. Because of this, I
need to use stoneware (to be frost-proof), so I will fire a lot at
cone 6, possibly cone 10. All of the kilns I'm looking at are rated
for cone 10, but Skutt offers two upgrades that sound like a good
idea for cone 10 use, and possibly for cone 6. The first is an
upgraded, type-s thermocouple, the other are APM elements.
Anyway, I'm looking for opinions on the value of upgrading these two
components, both if cone 6 is all I end up using, and if I end up
doing cone 10 work.
Thanks!
Darrell Walker
Vancouver, WA
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Darrell Walker on thu 9 mar 06
Hi,
My daughter (10) and I have gotten into ceramics/pottery in a big way
over the last few months, Currently we are setting up a studio in
our garage, and have all the basics except the kiln. I'm going to
get a Skutt kiln, as they seem to have a good reputation, are what
the local ceramics shop carries, and are actually made locally (we
are in Vancouver, WA, just across the Columbia from Portland, OR).
My primary interest right now is bonsai pots. Because of this, I
need to use stoneware (to be frost-proof), so I will fire a lot at
cone 6, possibly cone 10. All of the kilns I'm looking at are rated
for cone 10, but Skutt offers two upgrades that sound like a good
idea for cone 10 use, and possibly for cone 6. The first is an
upgraded, type-s thermocouple, the other are APM elements.
Anyway, I'm looking for opinions on the value of upgrading these two
components, both if cone 6 is all I end up using, and if I end up
doing cone 10 work.
Thanks!
Darrell Walker
Vancouver, WA
William & Susan Schran User on fri 10 mar 06
On 3/10/06 12:00 AM, "Darrell Walker" wrote:
> All of the kilns I'm looking at are rated
> for cone 10, but Skutt offers two upgrades that sound like a good
> idea for cone 10 use, and possibly for cone 6. The first is an
> upgraded, type-s thermocouple, the other are APM elements.
Going to ^10 - "s" type thermocouple will be more reliable and will last
much longer than a "k" type.
The APM elements will last longer if you are firing to ^10 often.
I would also suggest the kiln be built of 3" brick, and that you also get a
vent for the kiln - one where the motor is mounted away from the kiln.
Also get an electrician in, provide him the information from Skutt what the
electrical wiring requirements are for the kiln and find out what it will
involve hooking up the kiln.
-- William "Bill" Schran
Fredericksburg, Virginia
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
Darrell Walker on fri 10 mar 06
Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all the input! I should have mentioned that the model I'm
looking at comes standard with 3" brick, and I would upgrade that if
I go with a different model. I will of course purchase a vent. I'm
in good shape electrically, a few years ago we replaced our electric
range with gas, so I have an unused 60 amp breaker already in my
panel, so it will be a simple matter to run a short length of conduit
to the panel (the kiln will be within 5-10 ft of the panel).
Darrell Walker
Vancouver, WA
CHRISTIAN BONNER on fri 10 mar 06
I would say that both of the upgrades are worth it but also think about buying a kiln with 3" of insulation, most craft cone 10 electrics have 2 1/2". 3" will help with the electric cost no matter what temperature you decide to fire to.
Just a though,
Christian K. Bonner
From: Darrell Walker <darrellw@IPNS.COM>
Reply-To: Clayart <CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG>
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Intro and kiln questions
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2006 21:00:10 -0800
>Hi,
>
>My daughter (10) and I have gotten into ceramics/pottery in a big
>way
>over the last few months, Currently we are setting up a studio in
>our garage, and have all the basics except the kiln. I'm going to
>get a Skutt kiln, as they seem to have a good reputation, are what
>the local ceramics shop carries, and are actually made locally (we
>are in Vancouver, WA, just across the Columbia from Portland, OR).
>
>My primary interest right now is bonsai pots. Because of this,
I
>need to use stoneware (to be frost-proof), so I will fire a lot at
>cone 6, possibly cone 10. All of the kilns I'm looking at are rated
>for cone 10, but Skutt offers two upgrades that sound like a good
>idea for cone 10 use, and possibly for cone 6. The first is an
>upgraded, type-s thermocouple, the other are APM elements.
>
>Anyway, I'm looking for opinions on the value of upgrading these two
>components, both if cone 6 is all I end up using, and if I end up
>doing cone 10 work.
>
>Thanks!
>
>Darrell Walker
>Vancouver, WA
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your
>subscription
>settings from
http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
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Arnold Howard on mon 13 mar 06
The S-Type thermocouple lasts indefinitely
and is well worth the extra cost. When they
fail, it is ordinarily only because a shelf
bumped into the thermocouple during loading.
I'm not sure APM elements yield a lower cost
of element per firing. Though they last a lot
longer, they also cost more. Their main
advantage is that they save you the labor in
changing elements.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Darrell Walker"
Skutt offers two upgrades that sound like a
good
> idea for cone 10 use, and possibly for cone
> 6. The first is an
> upgraded, type-s thermocouple, the other
> are APM elements.
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