Denice

I have fired many large pots and sculptures that filled the kiln. Taking the kiln apart and candling over night is the way to go, I also use a shelf to build and fire it on, I pick one that is not in the greatest shape. I am getting ready to work on new sculpture, I have already figured out a way to make it in two pieces so I don't have to take my new kiln apart. It only has 16 firings on it and it is bigger around than my old skutt but shorter. The rings are harder to manage, I am not ready to bump, scuff and chip the edges yet. Denice

They will be fragile flower pots that can't hold up to freezing weather. Denice

I have one purchased set of half shelves, eventually your full shelves break in half. I use them as half shelves, I always end with steadier stack when I use full shelves. Two half shelves cost more than one full shelf. Denice

I add some ball clay to my 5 gal bucket of reclaim when I add more waste clay, just a handful and mix it in. I like to work with a clay that has more body to it so I can hand build with the recycled clay. I also use it for the original piece when I make a mold, you have to toss the original piece and first mold pull. Denice

Kelly thank you for the informative reply, it gives me a little more hope that it will work. Me and my arthritis are to old to make another set. I could buy a set but I like unusual daily utensils in my life. Denice

Maybe you could contact the clay company and see if they have a technician that can help you with choosing a clay. I have had problems with Laguna's Buff clay cracking in slab type sculptures and B Mix has always cracked for me. I would be interested in finding out what the clay is that the clay company recommends. Denice

I hadn't thought about the plates retaining moisture, I could put a salad plate in the oven and let it heat for a while before I test fire it. I don't need to refire the whole set just the plates. I probably should start using my china dishes, I no longer have a family to cook a holiday dinner for. They also don't sell well at estates sales, younger people aren't interested in formal occasions. I have extra sets of stainless silverware that I might as well start using everyday. I have been trying to talk my husband into putting in a pool table and getting rid of the unused dining room furniture. Denice

You might also include your firing schedule, moisture in your piece is usually the cause of pots exploding or firing to fast. Denice

I have been thinking about refiring some dishes I made 20 years ago. We use them for our daily dishware, the glaze is a dark cobalt blue developed by Tony Hansen. It is a glaze that is suppose to be durable on dish ware. I guess 20 years is to long to expect it to hold up, the surface of the plates look like a wedgewood blue now from utensils scraping against it. I still have some of the glaze, I guess I will just have to test fire and see what works the best Denice

I bought a used Brent wheel that had a sticky foot pedal, everyone here of the forum told me it probably needed adjusting. I found a video on-line that showed how to fix it. It was adjusted totally wrong, I followed the instruction and put it back together. It ran like a new wheel. Denice

A roof top satelite dish make a good drape mold for a birdbath. Denice

I bought a L&L from Neil a couple of years ago, I also purchase the longer lasting elements. Few months before that I purchased a Paragon Caldera test kiln, both kilns have thicker bricks and the same Barlett controller. The paragon doesn't have the element holders, it is a very small test kiln. The thicker bricks gives a more accurate results. Denice

I don't remember his horns but I do remember hit work. Fantastic!

Finding a used or free slab roller is like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. You might try some pastry rolling pins for some of your stronger artists, this is something you might be able to get donated. A slab roller also takes some strength to use, I used a pastry rolling pin and boards of different dimensions until I could save up enough money for a slab roller. Are there any clay equipment manufactures in your area that would be will to donate. Denice

I would set up my studio for electric and gas. You can get some work done in the studio and fire it in your electric kiln, while you build the gas kiln. You wouldn't need to buy a high dollar computerized kiln a used smaller manual kiln would be suitable until the gas kiln was finished. It is handy to have a kiln that you can fill up quickly, I am in the city limits and fire electric I have a test kiln, a small kiln and a larger L&L. There is always someone wanting a gift or urn made in a hurry. The small kiln is my go to kiln on rush jobs, it isn't computerized like the others but fires great. You could also do bisque firings in it for the gas kiln. Denice