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Flip A Kiln?


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Good day,

 

I am new here and i am about to buy my first second hand kiln.

Now i was wondering as i need width instead of hight can i flip an electric kiln 90 degrees?

 

Before i start building my own i was thinking just buy a second hand cheapo as a donor

And if its possible why not flip it,...that would save a build.... :)

 

Greetings from Holland where it is storming outside right now,....

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The folks here probably need more info on the kiln itself- is it a sectional or 1 piece etc. pictures would really be best..

 

The first thing that comes to my mind is weight , the floor of a kiln usually sits on top of a stand, the stand helps support the floor and  also the walls of the kiln... you are going to be stressing the walls of the kiln which are by design, not really made to hold weight.. imho I don't think I would do it,, that's just me though.. There are others here with more knowledge than I have on kilns, they will chime in soon...

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Electric kilns are generally divided into vertical sections to manage the evenness of the heat. The element arrangement and thermocouple position would be an issue for sure. Look into glass fusing kilns which are available in very wide, top loader arrangements. They're not as common as the barrels, but you should be able to find one through your equivalent of craigslist.

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I would say "No". As Crustly mentioned, the kilns are designed to stand upright. There isn't a lot holding the sections together, othero than the weight of the section, gravity, and friction. Alos, if it is a hexagonal type, there would be a lot of stress oni the interior corners, from the weight of itself,

 

So I agree with Colby, find one designed to fire in such a way. You could build your own, as you mentioned, but it would probably be cheaper, and less of a headache, to find a used.

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I, too would say no. They are not designed for that position with the element where they are. On the other hand, I have seen a skeleton of an octagon kiln set on side and set up for gas.

Think about the shape. You would be better to get a larger kiln. If the large piece fits in sideways at the widest part, you only get one in there. If you had a wader kiln, you could fill it all the way up, Two firings of large platters. should cover the cost of the kiln...maybe a large used one..

 

Welcome to our forum.

One thing to always remember when buying a kiln. Buy what will fit your needs.

 

Marcia

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Does this space need special computing in heat design...or can

It use a donor?

 

3x20 amps max with growth to 3x24 amps max

 

A coffin kiln would be my dream....but a fusing kiln is way to

Expensive couse these are rare.

 

Ihave knowledge in heat and electrics and welding......donor and refurbish spring to mind

 

Keep up great thoughts!

 

Grtzz from Holland where storm sets in and i could not place one solar panel today....once work...for now.

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  • 5 months later...

hello i have the same question about flipping a kiln and understand the points that are being made on account that we dont know what kind of kiln or shape it would be

i bought a paragon firefly from craigslist perfect condition paragon also has a kiln called the caldera this kiln is to the same speck as the firefly but the caldera has a floor and top that is detachable the  floor and top on both models are the same besides being able to take one apart i want to purchase a bead collar  the firefly is only a toploader so i would remove my top use my top lid as my floor  place the bead collar over that then flip over the whole kiln  i am also thinking about the elements they sell ceramic spacers i want to wedge between the brick in all corners just to ensure the element wont be able to escape its channel  im just trying to cover the worst case points please give me any other feed back you can think of pos or neg

 

 

firefly

http://www.paragonweb.com/files/kilns/Firefly_ClosedW1.jpg

 

caldera

http://www.paragonweb.com/files/kilns/Caldera-Sept-2011W11.jpg

 

collar

http://www.paragonweb.com/files/kilns/CalderaE_May2010_W1.jpg

 

                                         pretty much what i want to do

 

                               http://www.creativeglassshop.co.uk/userfiles/productlargeimages/product_4177.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Yes, call Paragon, but they will most likely say no, you shouldn't do it. Any time you start adding blank rings onto kilns you dramatically reduce the top temperature that the kiln can reach. Flipping the kiln will also make the elements want to fall out. You shouldn't use ceramic spacers to hold them in place, because they will create hot spots and ruin the elements.

 

Another another note, punctuation would make your post much easier to read!

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