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Bill Kielb

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  1. We closed today!

    We have keys and remotes; tomorrow we'll start moving things from storage.

    The garage space has one big "two car" door and a one car door.
    The one car space will become ...Studio!
    My plans include putting up a wall to close off the one car space, with a person door near the back - door with a big window in it, to catch some of the light from that North facing window.
    We'll run wiring in the new wall, separate the overhead lighting from the rest of the garage, and add several flat mount LED lights up there.
    The heat pump thing will go on that far wall somewhere, the kiln in the corner by the rollup door.

    It's a nice space. The window isn't as big as the prior Studio's, but it will bring it a lot of light, being Westerly.
    The space is a bit bigger.

    newstudio.jpg.965fb96ad9919ff3132f9f27441cd40a.jpg

    The roll about shelving we negotiated for from the sellers.
    I'll very likely use a few of them on the Studio side; they are adjustable and very stout.

  2. We came across a brand new Skutt KS 1027 3 phase. My husband is converting it to single phase.  It will be used in basement but I do not want to leave doors open when firing. 
    My question, since I have an electrical savvy husband. Can he DIY a venting system from standard vent materials? Has anyone done this?  He thinks he has most the materials needed but doesn't know about the size hole etc. 

    We have a pipe vent going outside the house now, in basement. (old down draft stove vent before remodel) He planned to  use it. He also pulled a great exhaust fan from a remodel job he finished. He planned to install exhaust fan overhead of kiln to assist w/fumes/heat.  Cement block walls around kiln. 
    He could probably figure it out but I thought I would ask if someone has done this before. 
    TIA

    1. Bill Kielb

      Bill Kielb

      Yes, many have done it. The secret (if there is any) is they really only withdraw a very tiny amount of kiln air (which is all that is needed) which is mixed mostly with room air so the fan and piping can never overheat. The hole drilled into the kiln is on the order of one or two 1/4” holes, so fairly small and can be plugged up easily with  ordinary kiln patch if you ever have a reason.

      Here is an old video of me doing it and comparing the result with a manufactured system. https://youtu.be/etpa2Pc9Hug. Please note we added a vent above the kiln just to eliminate wax smell which downdrafts don’t capture. This allowed us to use a fan that cools itself. If you use a similar fan, or really any fan for that matter, you will need to make sure it has enough room air to keep itself cool. No more than approx. 110 degrees

      My guess - he will find it easy.

      If you desire to remove the heat produced by the kiln as well, he will need to design on the order of 400-600 cfm with a hood above to remove most of it. At that point you will likely need to ensure you have sufficient makeup air from outdoors as well.

       

    2. (See 2 other replies to this status update)

  3. Bill I would like to know your plans or have you make a gas kiln recorder like the one you mentioned on You Tube with the gas firing schedule.  Is there any way to do that?

    1. Bill Kielb

      Bill Kielb

      I have made several and depending upon the familiarity of the end user have created several for studios that plan to teach or schools. Our policy has been to provide assistance in the build and the software already written  with minor customization as long as it advances the ceramic arts. In other words, no charge license for single use forever, open architecture so the end user can learn to modify on their own if they wish.

      How comfortable are you with the build part?

    2. (See 1 other reply to this status update)

  4. I passed on the info you gave to me. It looks like it might be too big for the maintenance guy to handle. I think its GOOD BYE to the whisper wheel. Now its down to 3 wheels for 6 people. The hand builders group are getting bigger in numbers. I certainly do appreciate the help you gave. Good health & good luck to you!

    1. Bill Kielb

      Bill Kielb

      You can just order a new board. With a little plugging and unplugging I think they can have a decent wheel. Maybe 300 - 400 bucks I believe if he goes on their website they have some generic troubleshooting tips using the On board LED lights which usually leads to replacing the board. Just plug and play stuff from there.

      Just looked, here is the link to the troubleshooting manual

      https://www1.ceramics.nidec-shimpo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Shimpo-RK-Whisper-Troubleshooting.pdf

      Best of luck!

  5. Hi Donna!

    May I suggest you post your question to the "Studio Operations and Making Work" forum?

    http://community.ceramicartsdaily.org/forum/22-studio-operations-and-making-work/

    A couple thoughts

      Did you have cones at same level as the thermocouple? Expect there to be warmer and cooler places...

      Do you have an idea how fast the temp was rising the last hour or so? Note that the cones bend at lower temps when it's taking longer to get hotter - shoot for 2237F for cone 5.5 when the rate is 270F/hour

     

    conechart.JPG

    1. Bill Kielb

      Bill Kielb

      The v6CF defaults to about 120 degrees per hour in the last 250 degrees of firing in cone fire mode. so their built  in cone table will say 2232 I believe. I just replied with a post detailing some simple questions and we can send her the basic V6Cf technical setup. It’s pretty easy and since she is close likely will help correct the situation.

      she will need to get familiar with fast glaze, slow glaze, etc..... as well 

    2. (See 2 other replies to this status update)

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