Dick White Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 What do people find to be the going rate for a service call to replace the elements in a Skutt 1227 kiln (23" diam. 3 sections)? The Skutt website shows the elements themselves are $135 each, so 6 elements is over $800. What is reasonable for the labor part of it? Thanks dw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 I just plugged in my 1227 specs to Skutts web site and each element was $50 Labor cost is whatever I want to pay myself?Thats my own answer for my own kiln. I pasted the element page for my model below. looks like 300$ for the whole set of 6. $135 seems steep? Neil will answer this one for you as far as labor Parts Listing for KM-1227 240V/1PH Elements 4 1370 280,1227 CENTER ELEMENT/240 $50.00 2 1368 280,1227 TOP & BTM ELEM/240V $50.00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick White Posted August 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 You are right on the element price, $50 per. I misread the Skutt price list. It is $135 per for the APM elements. Standard elements are fine, so we are at $300 for parts. I don't have a sense of reasonable job time for a Skutt or current labor rates that leads to a job cost. Thanks dw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 Neil should be able to post this-lets see what he says. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 Dick, Check with Dale or Brian G. at Workhouse; they use Skutts there and may have a someone they use/recommend. Or be willing to do it for $$$. Also, Matt Frietas did the elements at CC and might be willing to do these for you -- he was doing some work on kilns for schools the last I heard. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 One last note if you are firing to cone 6 get those APM elemts which are 135$ each as they last a real long time at high temps. Since I only bisque a little in an electric I only use the cheaper ones. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 APM elements last longer, however it's an expensive replacement if one fries due to a glaze drip or such. I charge $75 per hour for repair work. A Skutt 1227 will take 1-1/2 to 2 hours to do a full element replacement. Definitely 2 hours if bricks are being replaced too, which usually there are a couple. Different brands require more or less time. Skutts take a while because of the need for element pins, so in addition to the time spent putting in pins, I also have to remove the lid and top ring in order to reach the bottom ring and see what's going on down there. Paragon replacements are usually quicker because they only require pins if an element is being difficult, but some Paragon models have pricey elements. I can do all 9 elements in my big L&L in less than 1-1/2 hours. Manual kilns or any kilns that don't have a hinged control box take longer as well. Lots of factors at work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clay lover Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 I was clueless and took the rings apart for my 1027, but got it done in one morning, with a call to the Highwater tech for assistance at one point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 Cost me £200 to replace the 10 elements in my kiln and about two hours to stretch them to size, install and connect all the wires up. First time I have ever done it but it was very easy. The hardest part was stretching the element to the right length as you have to stretch it further than your required length as it springs back. Most companies seem to pre stretch them anyway. The next hardest part was bending the pig tails into a nice circle so I could attach nuts and bolts. If you think the elements are going to go again in your time using it it would be worth replacing them yourself unless something dictates otherwise. Worth learning as it is an easy job and paying £40 an hour was out of my budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtRoads Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 I charge $75 per hour for repair work. My view on this is "how much can I produce in an hour"? And it's more than $75. This is a good value IMO. I just wish there was someone in my area that could do this. If you're work is at near a 100% sell through, hiring this type work makes cents. Plus it's more fun to be making things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 I charge $75 per hour for repair work. ...Plus it's more fun to be making things. Making kilns can be just as fun. All depends what you find enjoyable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biglou13 Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 If your changing elements.... Are you/ should you be changing relays? Then how long before wiring harness? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 If your changing elements.... Are you/ should you be changing relays? Then how long before wiring harness? Relays have a different life span than elements, and a different life span depending on which brand of kiln they're on. If they run hot they don't last as long. I'd just let them run until they fry, but if you've got the cash it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing to replace them every 2-3 element changes to prevent a misfire. The wiring harness should be changed if the wire insulation is starting to discolor or becomes dry and crunchy when you bend it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 where is an element harness located on my L&L? i replaced the elements less than 10 firings ago, was told to buy the relays in case, did not use them (can't remember why) but never heard of a wiring harness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 where is an element harness located on my L&L? i replaced the elements less than 10 firings ago, was told to buy the relays in case, did not use them (can't remember why) but never heard of a wiring harness. A wiring harness simply means all the wires inside the control box. If you buy a wiring harness you get all the wires, cut to length, with connectors on each end. All you have to do is unplug the old wires and plug in the new ones. It's probably a little cheaper to buy wire and connectors and make your own, but buying a harness is fast and not really very expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted September 4, 2014 Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 thanks, neil. this just finished firing took 10:44 to go to ^6 with the whole thing stuffed, 9 shelves if you count the top one which is a half shelf. used a 5 minute hold at top temp and a 20 minute preheat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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