[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

Going to switch it out to a 30 right now, and if i get the 818, i’ll Switch it to a 40.  Thanks guys, so much!

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

Yikes, Neil.  didn’t realize I could have too large of a breaker.  even though it’s not within code, can I have a serious issue if I use the 50amp?  

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

Good advice, Bill.  I had them install 6-gauge wiring with the 50 amp breaker.    So the issue should only be the receptacle.   Hoping I can do an easy switch out myself when the time comes.

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

Big, big question, before I forget:

The Skutt 181 has a NEMA 14-30 plug and I have a 14-30  receptacle.  
I’m looking to eventually upgrade to a new KM-818 kiln, which has a NEMA 6-50 plug.  Can I safely use an adapter to allow me to plug in a 6-50 plug to a 14-30 receptacle?

It’s a 50 amp breaker, if that makes a difference.  
 

 

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

Thanks again to everyone for all of their help.  Great advice from all.

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

THanks, Mark and Steven.  You’re both using great logic here, for sure.  I’m super impatient, so I want my kiln to cool faster!  Lol.    If I get the standard Skutt 818, that fires to ^10 but is 2.5”.   So i’ll Just use it to fire to ^6, 99% of the time.  

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

I love this forum.  Thanks so much, guys.  I had no idea that doing ^10 porcelain needed to be done in a reduction atmosphere.  I currently use ^6 Coleman porcelain and love it, but I was looking to have the capacity to do ^10.  Maybe one day i’ll Get a nice ^10 gas.

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

1 minute ago, Stephen said:

Mark I think she means if she orders a new Skutt cone 10 for mid fire electric at cone 6. If I'm right then 2.5 brick is fine.

Actually, Mark is correct.  I wanted to be able to fire ^10 porcelain, but was hoping 2.5 would be enough.    

Thanks to both for the info!

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

SUCH good advice from both Neil and Steven.  Thank you.  I love the idea of firing to ^5 and then a hold (?).    And another great idea to get ^10 elements.  I haven’t wired it yet, so i’m Quite flexible with the breaker/ amperage.   I’m still not convinced that I just don’t pull the trigger on a new Skutt 818-3.    I stumbled upon a set of valuable flatware at a thrift store.  If I can sell it, I’ll get more than enough to buy that new kiln.  ! !   Then I would just keep the 181 for raku.  

Thanks to everyone for their help! 

And can someone tell me if I *Have* to have 3” bricks in a ^10 kiln?    Or can I get away with the 2.5” brick?

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

Thanks so much, Arnold.  I have to be honest, I saw a Paragon Dragon on Craigslist for $1000 and I almost went for it.  But a 75 amp breaker with 4 gauge wire.... gasp!  It’s too much for what I need.  But what a kiln. 

And for anyone who may come across this post in the future, here is a great, great video I found that teaches you all about maintaining your kiln, along with how electricity works lol.  I needed to learn both of those things.
 

Thanks again.  

 

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

4 minutes ago, liambesaw said:

That's one element

lol figures.  Still, $125 isn’t terrible.   Thanks

 

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

And does this pack contain enough element to do all three sections or just one section?  I can’t tell.  It says one in the ad, but i’m Not sure if they consider that one entire unit or not.  Thanks

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

Thanks, Liam.  I’m planning on changing out the elements...would I have any issue firing to ^6 if I change them out?  Doens’t seem like too huge of a job and seems pretty affordable..


Thanks, Chilly.  Yessss, too bad some of them are just straight-up bisque paints.  A couple of them are ^05 and the Safari brand is ^5.  So i’ll Probably just stick with those and see what happens.  Too bad.  Do you think a ceramic studio (you know the kind) would want them?

 

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

I picked up the kiln and all of the ‘paints’ today.  Kiln is so little!  I love it.  Perfect size for me.  I’ll have to pick up some kiln furniture.  But honestly not much would fit in there.  Here is a pic of the label, as well as a pic of the plug and the outlet that it was attached to.  Oh and a pic of about 1/18th of all of the underglazes. There has to be hundreds of them.  If they are dried out, can I just use them as watercolors?  They seem to all fire to ^5 at least, but I’ll be firing to ^6.  Hope that doesn’t make too much of a difference.

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

Woot woot!  Thanks, Neil.  You are a huge asset!  Thank you.  :). I’ll post more photos tomorrow.

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

So, let me consolidate all my questions into one post (for now lol) :

If glazes are super old, are they garbage?
Worst case, if there is a weird plug, I can have an electrician come in and install the proper receptacle/breaker?
Does it disassemble for transport in a somewhat simple fashion?
Can I convert this kiln to a digital  / electric controller?

Thanks to everyone in advance for their knowledge.

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

Thanks, Neil. I’ve been firing at a community kiln so I have noooo idea about any of this.   Worst case, I can just pay an electrician to come in and set up a receptacle/breaker for me, yes?

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

Actually, I’m assuming it’s a Skutt?  I didn’t notice the other manual.  Hmm.  Well, I guess I’ll find out tomorrow!  What are the issues s that you are seeing with it?  Brick issues?   

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

Also, is there anything special I would need to know about wiring?  I have a fear that it’s not a standard 220v plug... :/.  And if the glazes are old, are they garbage?

[Skutt model 181 kiln?]

Hi everyone - 

I live on Long Island.  Kilns and equipment rarely come up for sale here for some reason. 

I stumbled across a Skutt 181 kiln, circa 1976, on a yard sale listing on FB.  (She’s having a yard sale and the kiln was listed with tons of other non-pottery stuff.).   I inquired and she said that I could have the kiln for $100 which also includes “boxes of paints or glazes” and tools.  I told her I would take it.   I figured that even if the kiln was not usable, I could convert it to a gas one?    Or Raku?  Is that accurate?   Did I get a good deal or did I screw myself?  I figured for $100, it was worth a gamble.  I haven’t seen it yet.  I go to pay for it tomorrow.