Pres Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Fell off of a metal barn roof like that when I was 17. My granddad was building a Case tractor barn for a customer. They had left tools up at the peek the day before and told me to go up and get them the next morning as they would not be working-cold, and had rained overnight. Got nearly to the peak, and hit ice, went down the slope on my belly, flipped in mid air and landed flat on my back with a big kia. Wind knocked out me, laid out in a faint, could not get up for several minutes. Finally did, no damage, not even sore, but sure could have used a safety harness that day. Ever since then, I don't trust ladders or anything, rather have something solid to hold onto. Nowadays I won't go up on anything higher than two stories. I am enjoying all of the details of the kiln building, John. Your catenary arch supports-masonite over frame?. The step down area is the front of the kiln? Small loading opening, It is great to see the college crew having a good but serious time building this. I'll bet the firing parties will be awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzine Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Pres, they say the best way to land, is on your back. It spreads out the force, from the impact. That's why we spent a while, learning how to fall (breakfalls), in my college Judo class. You land on your back, with your chin tucked to you chest, and smack the ground with both arms. I'm not a big fan of heights either. Our first home was a single story ranch. I could jump off the top of that, without any problem. Our current house is a two story Craftsman style. I was on the roof yesterday sealing some spots. It's pretty high up. I don't use a harness, as the slope, where I'm working is slight. I do need to paint some of the exterior woodwork, and for the amount of time, I'll be up there, along with the places I'll have to be, I will be using a harness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Yeah, took some judo/karate when I was living at Hikam AFB in the late 50's. Best I came out with was how to fall. Sorry about the high jack here, John. Point being it is great to see the harnesses in use there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 I'm no expert John, but I don't think that thin rope, wrapped around the chimney will keep it together. I'd use mortar, or at very least, Elmer's glue. That is the latest ceramic fiber rope reinforced with carbon fibers and titanium needles. It is like ceramic duct-tape! best, ...............john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzine Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 best, ...............john Dang, you college boys get all the fancy materials! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Today we hit day 9 of the NHIA anagama construction with my kiln class. It was a short working day today because we had a major all-college meeting about the potential SNHU/NHIA merger back at the Manchester campus at 5 PM that most wanted to attend. More arch work done and I also picked up the stainless steel chimney top flashing unit. best, .................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drmyrtle Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 John, are most kilns built this way with the Masonite arch prop? I've never seen anything like that. Is the finale to burn out the arch prop before you fire for real? Thanks for posting the pics...it's almost like being there without doing the work . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 John, are most kilns built this way with the Masonite arch prop? I've never seen anything like that. Is the finale to burn out the arch prop before you fire for real? Thanks for posting the pics...it's almost like being there without doing the work . Every gas kiln I've built has used a form made of 2x4's and masonite for the arch. You shim the arch up an inch off the supports, then when you're done you pull the shims, the form drops down and you slide it out. I've also done where where the arch was made in 3 sections, so the middle could drop out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Yesterday was day 10 of the NHIA anagama construction with my kiln class. Got the top flashing unit in place, continued the chimney upward, and started on the second layer of insulation over the rear arch section. Looking at the first steps on the steelwork too. best, ....................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mug Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Almost like an Amish barn raising.... The Artsy Hippie hippster potter version Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Great still shots for a kiln building lecture, not that you haven't thought of that John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Pres, That is one reason that I document every kiln build that I do. Teaching images. I am shooting about 50 images a day. best, ......................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrgpots Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Is the first arch layer hard brick that is then followed by k26 IFB? If so, is this going to be a salt or soda kiln that requires the hard brick liner? I'm guessing a layer of refractory castable will finish off the outer layer. Do you have to insulate the fire box thrash way? Learning a lot from this. Thanks, Jed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Really nice to see it being built. Can you post over 500kb per post from being a moderator or is there another trick to that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Today we hit day 11 of the NHIA anagama construction with my kiln class. Into the "home stretch" for the 14 day class. Today we finished the cut key brick for the main inner hard firebrick arch, the backup insulating firebrick on the main back section of the kiln, took the chimney up to within about 1 1/2 feet of the total height, really started on the steelwork. best, ..................................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Is the first arch layer hard brick that is then followed by k26 IFB? If so, is this going to be a salt or soda kiln that requires the hard brick liner? I'm guessing a layer of refractory castable will finish off the outer layer. Do you have to insulate the fire box thrash way? Learning a lot from this. Thanks, Jed The inner layer is either dry pressed high duty hard firebrick or super duty dry pressed hard firebrick. The outer layer is 2300 IFB. This is a long duration firing wood fired kiln.... hence the hard liner. Target firing is Orton cone 14. Yes, it will then get a stucco coating over the IFB. best, .....................john PS: As a Mod I get more storage. But I am about to hit the end of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Hope storage, not moderation.. I cannot imagine the foreplanning and prep you have done to get this moving sooo smoothly. Amazing stuff. How long will it take to get to cone 14? how many stokers?/ Hope these students don't graduate soon so they get to use this beauty for a while. Is there a builder's rights clause for perpetual use of the kiln? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Sorry, I meant per individual post not in total. Each one only lets me upload a max of 500kb per post and I noticed you were over this. Maybe I should upload to the gallery and then link somehow, have to look into it. Don't mean to go too off topic. Cone 14 does sound like an amazing amount of work, I am sure you can make it there though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Babs, Storage, not moderation. Yes, the planning has taken an astronomical amount of time... no question about that. There have been many revisions of the kiln itself, let alone dealing with the many revised plans for the foundation and building and the detail drawings for stuff like the roof penetration point and the flashing, and such. CAD is handy.... but it is not all as fast as people think. The planned cycle is a four day firing for at least the first firing. About 1 1 /2 to 2 days to 14, and then hold for about 2 days. So that is 3 eight hour shifts per day, for 4 days, or 12 eight hour shifts....... needing 4 people on each shift "team". I am the current "kama moto" (Kiln Master) for this kiln....... so I will not only be there for a lot of the total hours of the firing....... but for the periods I am not there trying to get some sleep.... I will be "on call" like a doctor. I live only a 20 minute drive from the Sharon campus....... so that is easy to be there fast if needed. I will be in the "kiln master" role for the forseeable future. I will be keeping track of the use of the kiln, and of course I'll sneak in a few pieces in every firing . But you have to remember that I have a large wood kiln myself (slightly longer than this one) sitting in my back yard. So wood firing is not such a "novelty" option for me.... it is what I always do. But I think this kiln will be a "doozy" for results. We'll see. best, ......................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzine Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Four days of continuous, monitored firing John? Just hit the "Quick Fire" button on the controller, enter Cone 14, and hit start... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Wood firing....... the absolute MOST expensive way to fire. best, ...................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 The progress is super-the kiln shed to the foundation the stainless flashing and the kiln itself. I have no idea what these kids pay for this class but its a steal no matter the cost.This baby is really looking clean How often will this kiln get used? Great job.Thanks for keeping us in the loop. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Mark, Thanks for the kind words. The exact kiln useage is not yet fully determined. We are working on that stuff. Priority #1 is the degree programs needs, second is community education. For the degree folks, there will be a minimum of one firing per semester. There will eventually be access to the greater community via our Community Education program........ how that will work is not yet determined. Classes, workshops, visiting artist sessions..... not sure. The one thing that will not happen is any sort of "private kiln rental"; every kiln has a finite number of firing in it before it gets rebuilt (that # is assuming it is taken care of). Every firing is REALLY expensive in terms of depreciation. best, ......................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 Amazing commitment, how is the quantity of wood required calculated, I ask this as I have used a woodstove for the last 40 odd years and know that wood has quite different calorific value depending on the type. Hate to think of you getting a mid night call from site, Joh we need another truck load of wood to reach C14! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 Day 12 of the NHIA anagama construction with my kiln class came and went today....... with most of us working from 9 AM until about 8:30 PM (along with torrential rain for cleaning up at the end of the day). Today was the "magic moment" wh...en the three sections of main arch forms came out and we officially had an "inside". Front firebox step arches started, more steelwork done, smoke chamber interior wall started, rear wall started, a bit more chimney added above the roof line before the rain, and horizontal flue connection to chimney worked on. Busy and LONG day. That Magic Moment............... The NHIA Anagama Construction Team 2014 From the firebox end: From the chimney end: best, ......................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.