Jump to content

Babs

Members
  • Posts

    4,569
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Babs

  1. You can get small digital pyrometers, hand held devices, not very expensive in the scheme of things.

    I would install a timer set at about 1/2 hr post target cone drop. This is a backup, essentialimo, inxase the sitter bar doesn't drop for some reason.  Long time potters, eg @Pres can guage the temp according to colour if kiln interior but until colour shows you're in the dark. :-))

  2. Search Joseph Fireborn on these forums , Gallery and elsewhere, he posted some great pots using an electric kiln as have many, many  others. I suggest getting to know a potter who uses gas and spend time in their studio.

    John Britt has extensive material online showing and teaching the effects possible in an electric kiln at C6

    Still missing my gas kiln here after many years though....

  3. On 4/20/2024 at 1:28 AM, High Bridge Pottery said:

    It's my zero3 fritware clay, kiln is just a 40 litre rust bucket.

     

     

    I would go with the cone program as it may dynamically alter the firing depending on how it keeps up with the rate of climb. Do skutt controllers do that? 

    Ah I remember you posting abiut that process.

  4. Not knowing the clay you use, or the kiln, here's my bisque in °C.

    And, Callie the expert, so listen to her.

    If bisqueware dry and of good thickness i.e not thick sculpted pieces

    50°C / hr to 100°C

    100°C/hr to 600°C

    150°C/hr to 1000°C 

    Soak for 10 minutes.

    Target is C06. 

    I pack bottom shelf with taller stuff, rest of kiln is tumble packed. Soak at end for me is to allow kiln temp to even out and tumble stacked ware to get to the cone target. 

    Seems brutal but works

  5. 23 minutes ago, Beccap said:

    I started making a new glaze using a Stephen Murfitt satin matt base recipe that contains 3% zinc oxide. I understand zinc oxide is not the problem but that it may contain traces of lead? But not in levels I should be concerned about? That’s at least the conclusion I’ve come to but please correct me. 
     

    The glaze makes a lovely deep green, but it contains 1% chrome, 2% cobalt, 1% RIO and now I’m worried that it is not food safe? I haven’t experienced any leaching. 
     

    I’ve read the type of chrome potters use is not toxic and should be ok? But in the presence of zinc is it still ok? And also is 2% cobalt safe?

     

    feeling lost and very confused …..

    Covalt oxide or cobalt csrbonate?

    Photo of glaze and recipe will help folk answer.

    I would not use chrome on inside of functional ware. Lots of folk use liner glazes because of ingredients.

    Havent heard of folk worrying about Zinc Oxide.

    Wearing gloves and proper mask would protect you when mixing glazes and applying glazes.

  6. 7 hours ago, Mollymoo said:

    When should I switch the toggle to Soak?

    Point 2 and 4 in the red font manual above tells you that. 

    2 says to put the toggle either way but point 4 states make sure it is on cut off or it will soak, maintain target temp for ever! 

    Reads like you can put it to soak at end  when you are there to witness close to end of firing.

    Don't trust the cut off .

     

  7. 24 minutes ago, Min said:

    Approx 6.5% at cone 06. I would do a test firing to cone 03 and include some test tiles. Just like the kiln firing it’s going to take some testing to see how the glazing. I’m not a big fan of underfiring clay bodies. I couldn’t find any data on absorption figures for anything other than 06, would be something I would test. 

    Ok, if clay is rated to cone02, then a subsequent glaze and fire to C06 to suit the glazes could mean a difficult beast to get a layer of glaze to adhere to?

    Don't know the glazes or the clay or tge method of glazes so assumption on my part, sorry.

  8. Not knowing kiln you , and being a find out scenario, put it on cut off pos0ition

    . This,I think, would mean the kiln shuts off on reaching set temp.  You MAY be able to switch to soak at that time because if no timer to set length of soak,you'd have to be there to shut off kiln at the time you want to soak for. Hope that is logical?

    Still look for a manual, must be around, post some images in this forum, folk have lots of info.

    I am only giving you the " usual" procedures. Kiln experts will give you exact for your kiln and the way it should ve linked to your electri uty supply for a kiln that size.

  9. Have you fired a kiln before? Is it connected yet?

    If so you need to look at the firing ramps suggested in this forum or in books/ online. Get a book to use as a firing log booki'd put shelves etc in.

    Turn kiln on

    Set temp to ,say 1000°C  or equivalent F.

    Set energy regulator, say,  20%

    Put toggle on cut off

    Note after 1hr the temp, (has your kiln got  a pyrometer?) NOTE ON LOG BOOK

    You're aimIng for about 100deg C till about 600drgC

    Adjust the energy level to medium and so on till reach top temp noting temp reached every hour.

    Gives you a guide. May need to invest in a seperate cut off timer if one not installed and set that to about 1/2 hr after expected length of firing...

    Anyone aroubd who is a potter, dad's friends?

  10. 2 hours ago, LeeU said:

    Thanks Min & Babs--I'll lightly dampen, use the wash,  wipe it back (yes/Amaco) & do a thin clear over it.  It's a catchall tray for a friend's BD.

    Dampen every surface, lessen risk of cracking.

    Read of sone one who dunks pot in bucket of water then puts in damp box with wet sponge in tgere too for a couple of days.... not tried by me but tempted when my wheel work gets a bit dry to turn, usually I turn to chattering

  11. Lovely!

    Scared for you because your piece looks totally dry. Any wash may induce crackinģ imo.

    If could be dampened gently, then a wash application and careful  wipe off raised areas would be the way I'd go. 

    3parts mang dioxide to 1 part black copper oxide could give a bronze effect at that cone, just saying.

    Because no glaze , the iron or mn. Will not " dilute" in colour

    Not a food container or server

  12. 3 hours ago, Chiv said:

    Thanks @Babs! Assume this is to have a slow start/ avoid shock/sudden high temp - is this right?
    Will def. give a go :)

    Couple of areas where clay can be sensitive to fast heating, also slow at start, or even candling if you not sure of moisture content  and clay thickness. Some folk hold somewhere around 700-800 °C to drive off xhemically bound water but if you havent had to up until now, I wouldn't start.

    Let's know how you go,centainly save on energy and time.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.