Scout Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 I have a fairly new kiln. It is on legs so it is not on the floor. I keep a kiln shelf, raised about an inch off the bottom of the kiln. I removed that shelf to vacuum the kiln and noticed a crack all the way across the bottom. Am I in danger to set my shop on fire??? Scout Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Probably not. Hairline cracks are normal. The floor slab expands and contracts during firings and eventually small cracks appear. If it is a large crack that goes all the way through, then your kiln and stand are probably not sitting level or flat. If the floor slab can rock on the stand, or the whole stand rocks, then uneven pressure will flex the slab and crack it. If this is the case, you need to put shims under the legs of the stand to get it to sit flat without rocking. Use thin sheets of metal for shims, not wood or plastic. You can buy small sheets of aluminum at the hardware store that are easy to cut up with tin snips to the size needed. Unless there is light showing through the crack, there's little chance of causing a fire. If the crack is so large that light shows through, you probably need a new floor slab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Another idea which I have done to all my electrics is support the bottom better. Usually there is a smaller metal stand holding up the kiln which overhangs the leg supports everywhere. I added a 1/4 inch round plate steel or aluminum diamond plate either will work and that supports the edges where the weight is and the floor has less of a load on it. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 You can also set your kiln on a series of cinder blocks. Mucho support. I have seen this done in several studios. Not elegant, but it works. TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 You can also set your kiln on a series of cinder blocks. Mucho support. I have seen this done in several studios. Not elegant, but it works. TJR. The real problem is not the amount of support, it's even support. Think of it like kiln shelves. If they rock, they crack. I don't recommend cinder blocks because it is very difficult to level them so that the floor is supported evenly. Plus it will usually void your warranty if you do not use the stand that came with the kiln. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead Horse Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 You can also set your kiln on a series of cinder blocks. Mucho support. I have seen this done in several studios. Not elegant, but it works. TJR. I just set my soft brick kiln on concrete blocks. I set the first level as intended-- with the holes up and down. This makes leveling a lot easier, but it is crucial to take your time to insure that it is level. I put down a vapor barrier on top of the block (my kiln is outside) to prevent moisture wicking up in to the soft brick. I then laid block on their sides for complete support for the bottom of the kiln. I needed to raise my kiln, so I used full block--- they sell biscuits, which are concrete slabs ranging from 1'' to 4'' thick, which would work great instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 You can also set your kiln on a series of cinder blocks. Mucho support. I have seen this done in several studios. Not elegant, but it works. TJR. I just set my soft brick kiln on concrete blocks. I set the first level as intended-- with the holes up and down. This makes leveling a lot easier, but it is crucial to take your time to insure that it is level. I put down a vapor barrier on top of the block (my kiln is outside) to prevent moisture wicking up in to the soft brick. I then laid block on their sides for complete support for the bottom of the kiln. I needed to raise my kiln, so I used full block--- they sell biscuits, which are concrete slabs ranging from 1'' to 4'' thick, which would work great instead. Gas kiln? That is typically how gas kilns are done, however they are not generally mortared together like the floor of an electric kiln, so cracking is not an issue. The bricks can move independently as they expand and contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scout Posted May 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 Thanks you for the responses! I think my kiln is level and on the stand that was intended for it. I think I cracked it by moving it across the cement floor. I was just concerned about starting a fire. Thank you again. Is there an "introduce yourself" thread? I am new and still finding my way around. Scout Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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