Diana Ferreira Posted November 26, 2011 Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 I have a huge order (300 bowls and about a 120 plates) that my client is jumping up and down about. I moved studio the beginning of this month, and it set me back almost a week production time. So I have been working 7 days a week for the last 4 weeks to play catch up. On top of that the client changed the urgency of what needs to be completed first, etc. So last week they told me they need the 300 bowls this week. And I knew it was not going to happen. I had all of the one shape casted, but had a shortage of the other shape, and no time to cast more molds myself. But worst was the fact that I am the proud owner of a tiny little upright, and can fit about 30 of the larger shape in it at a time. AND to add to my woes, the factory where I rent space, is having kiln issues themselves. It is the crazy season, and they have orders to go out. Their one trolley kiln (there is 2 of them) have been misbehaving since a meltdown a couple of months ago. The kiln builders just cannot repair it. (We detect temp variances in the kiln.) We have pulled both bisque and vitrified work out of the same trolley. I got permission to use the kiln after it was rewired and some electrical work done to it on Thursday and Friday. Today I went in, we had set the kiln to start ramping up 3 hours before I was expected at the factory. And when I tested the kiln with another thermometer, I yet again discovered a 50 - 60C difference! At 350C I switched the kiln off. My work is too temperature sensitive due to the colour change of my clay body to take a chance with this. Anyway, here is images of the packed trolley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marko Posted November 26, 2011 Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 Wow, and I thought I had kiln problems. I wish you luck. I know how it feels. I had a similar problem, a melt down, but on a small scale. But I did get my project done in time, whew! Maybe you could check with a local college. If your an alumnus they can probably help. Just an idea. Best of luck.;)You have beautiful works of art. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckeye Posted November 26, 2011 Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 Sorry to hear your having problems, hope it all gets better soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana Ferreira Posted November 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2011 Thanks Marko and Buck. On Monday we get an retired kiln builder in to come and sort out the kiln (hopefully) for the last time. I do not have a studio assistant, and neither the money to risk the chance to fire it as it is. I was prepared to sit with the kiln for 13 hours on Saturday during the ramping phases, but not with these temperature differences! The owner of the kiln had set it to about 4 or 5 ramping stages as I have huge plates that need slow and controlled firing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnold Howard Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Today I went in, we had set the kiln to start ramping up 3 hours before I was expected at the factory. And when I tested the kiln with another thermometer, I yet again discovered a 50 - 60C difference! At 350C I switched the kiln off. My work is too temperature sensitive due to the colour change of my clay body to take a chance with this. Is that an electric kiln that is firing unevenly, or does the digital controller temperature seem to be 50 - 60C off compared to the external pyrometer? Sincerely, Arnold Howard Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana Ferreira Posted November 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 It is an electrical kiln, Arnold. We removed the pyrometer (of the controller, and inserted the external one into it's hole, and still found a difference on temperature. they came today, and removed all the elements, took measurements of the kiln and took it to the retired guy (he was unable to get to us). He reworked the specs for the kiln, and they will come back tomorrow to re-wire the kiln. In the mean time the owner of the studio told me I could use their other trolley kiln. It took me about 4 hours to shift the work and shelves! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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