mgtmeehan Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Hello, I need some help with an old Evenheat manually operated kiln. The lid band broke, and I bought a replacement. However, in trying to repair everything, including replacing the lid handles, prop support and hinges, the firebrick just powders up with attempts to screw the attachments back in place. I was thinking maybe I need a masonry bit, and also was wondering if I should reinforce the screw holes with kiln cement. I am not experienced in kiln repair, and don’t want to ruin the lid. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 you don't need a masonry bit for insulation bricks. The kiln cement or kiln patch is a better idea. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgtmeehan Posted June 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 thanks, Marcia! Do you suggest using the kiln cement right in the screw holes as the screws are placed? Or should I wait til the kiln cement has cured? The screws are to attach the handle and hinge parts that were removed from the original metal band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 you might consider using larger diameter screws as well as longer ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgtmeehan Posted June 7, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2018 Thank you, great idea. I am also thinking stainless steel screws... the old ones totally rusted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted June 7, 2018 Report Share Posted June 7, 2018 @mgtmeehan The screws do no hold into the bricks, they only hold into the metal. It doesn't matter if the bricks are powdering away when the screws go in, no need to use cement or anything like that. You're overthinking it. If they're not holding tight, then you're stripping out the screws by either pre-drilling the holes too big, or running them in too far. Do not use a drill to drive the screws or you'll strip them out, unless you have the drill clutch set very low. If you're using #6 screws, you should be using a 3/32" drill bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgtmeehan Posted June 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 Thank you Neil. I enlisted my son to do the work...lol... he told me that screwing into the firebrick was like screwing into day old snow...lol... it bites the top crust , but underneath it's all mush. Thanks for the clarification. Will let you all know how it turns out. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted June 13, 2018 Report Share Posted June 13, 2018 Asa Neil says the screws hold the metal to the metal and not to the brick. Yes the screws chew up the brick as they are a bit to long and thats just a side effect.They are really just holding the handlers to the metal band and the band to itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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