[Vertical stripes]

Thank you both for your advice. I appreciate it. For some reason I am having trouble responding to the posts. Hulk-- the tip about not letting it get too dry makes a lot of sense.y studio is like a sardine can with the sardines in it -- so no room for spraying. Thanks again 

[Vertical stripes]

Thank you Bill. I don't have any spray abilities.

[Vertical stripes]

I have a customer who wants two inch vertical stripes on the pot in black and grey. I am going to try painter's sharp edge tape. Anyone have any other suggestions? I am using a black celadon and Dimo's Dark Grey. Any suggestions would be most appreciated!!

[Propane hook up for Olympic 2831 kiln]

I just finished getting my propane tank hooked up. I have the older six burner model. I have to test the ring before putting it back under the kiln. I used a propane supply place. I have a high pressure hose that is supposed to deliver the right btus but I am skeptical. Let me know how yours goes. 

You know about putting the 12 inch shelf exactly 1.5 inches under the hole in the lid? For some reason that got omitted from subsequent manuals.  I found out about it from a lady who has fired this model kiln for 40 years. I have the original manual. 

[Mayco Indigo Rain]

If anyone uses Mayco Indigo Rain and has noticed how dry and rough it's become since they changed the talc-- and it won't melt with Splatterware anymore no matter how hot you get it--- the fix is adding 25 grams of gerstly borate to a full container of glaze. It restores the previous smooth surface and it melts with Splatterware again. 

[Propane hook up for Olympic 2831 kiln]

Ok, found a propane fittings site and ordered all that you listed. Will let you know how it goes!

[Propane hook up for Olympic 2831 kiln]

6 hours ago, Bill Kielb said:

Ok, so there are two pressures we need to address so let’s see if I can describe it so it makes sense.
The pressure needed at the burners has to be approximately 11 “ (INCHES, less than 1/2 psi). Regulators used for this purpose generally have a maximum inlet pressure of 10 psi and reduce it to 11” (Inches). Also the regulator must be capable of supplying  at least 290,000 btu, which means it will likely have a 3/4” diameter or larger outlet size at 11”” of pressure.

Capacity problem

1/2” diameter hose /pipe at 10 psi can easily carry 500,000 btu over many feet of distance

3/4” diameter pipe / hose at 11” of pressure is needed to carry 500,000 btu 10-20 feet

so the usual choice (most economical and lowest pressure for safety) is to hard pipe from the kiln with 3/4” pipe to where the gas bottle will be (within 20 ft of the kiln)  and install a two stage propane regulator at the propane tank.

If we do that we only need ordinary gas pipe from the kiln to the bottle, a two stage regulator (economical) and a flexible connection from the pipe to the second stage regulator (pigtail).

So a quick rough drawing

And some parts, economical regulator (horizontal mount)

 

A safe removable way to connect the regulator to the tank

 

leaving a low pressure short pigtail to connect from the piping to the regulator which need to match 3/4” pipe thread on one end and whatever our regulator outlet thread is, once we pick a regulator.

My problem was being unable to find a flexible hose with those diameters-- the pigtail you show is only 1/4 inch.  The only hose I have found that fits the kiln pipeand the tank is that Mr Heater hose.

[Propane hook up for Olympic 2831 kiln]

Thanks so very much Bill!

Marie

[Propane hook up for Olympic 2831 kiln]

In fact, it is a 15 gallon/ 100lb tank as required by the manual.  The kiln is supposed to have 290,000 BTU per hour. I am going to try to send pics. The connection on the firing ring 8s the same diameter as the one on the propane tank which is the same as a five pound tank.

 

[Propane hook up for Olympic 2831 kiln]

Hmmmm....the instructions in the manual seem so simple. Not!  The manual says to use a RV low pressure regulator and then just hook a 15 gallon tank up to the kiln. The problem is that the only propane hose that fits both the tank and the firing ring is a hose from Mr Heater that is one inch male on both ends.  All the low pressure regulators are set up to take either a quarter or three eights inch propane hose.....and so far, I have not found an adapter that will convert to attach said hose to the firing ring. It also seems that that size hose would not provide an adequate volume of gas.  I am hoping the Mr Heater hose has some kind of built in regulator.  Any information on how to hook up this ring would be most appreciated!   I currently have it out from under the kiln trying to make sure it works properly before putting the kiln back on top of it! 

 

Marie

[Direct wiring- pros and cons]

Thank you Neil.  

[Direct wiring- pros and cons]

Thank you Neil for your response. I am concerned about it possibly leading to a fire in the wall that the panel is mounted on. At least with a plug I can see if there's a problem. How likely is that to happen?

[Direct wiring- pros and cons]

Hi Neil,

I have an older 286 Seattle Pottery kiln that just did a fantastic job of melting the plug and receptacle. Seattle Pottery suggested direct wiring to the panel because of the size of the kiln. My concern is having to disconnect it to replace the elements probably this summer. It draws 48 amps. Is direct wiring safer for a kiln this size? My kilns have their own panel right next to them. 

Thanks!

Marie

[Bisquing plates]

The leaning them against a tall pot worked great! Thanks Min!

[Bisquing plates]

Sounds wonderful! I hope you have an uneventful move! I moved my studio into my garage last Fall. I saved the money I paid the movers not having to buy propane! I visited Mark in McKinleyville. I was looking at the area in case things here get just too crazy. I sure would like to live in that area by the ocean. 

[Bisquing plates]

Very interesting! Where are you moving if I can ask?

[Bisquing plates]

I went out and fiddled with them and put them,leaning against a tall pot. Well see how they do.

[Bisquing plates]

Thanks Min!

[Bisquing plates]

Thanks Bill but these shelves I am using stay hot far longer than the pots. I think it's also the diameter of the bisque kiln-- 18 inches. I have to do a ring at a time preheat because it will heat up too fast. It has 3 inch brick. I need to start using the big kiln more for Bisquing too. The shelves for it are very porous-- not dense like the ones for the small guy. They don't stay as hot.

I have a new shape for plates I am trying. Will see how this bisque goes. Also a new clay body for plates.

[Bisquing plates]

As always, thank you Min for your response. I would be afraid of the rims cracking if I did the vertical stacking.  I have a new design that may bisque better. I finally figured out that the shelves are heating up faster than the pots.  I make shallow bowls with a deep foot that kept cracking. I finally started firing them on inverted saucers and it stopped.  With plates, all I could do was invert them.  I take a ridiculous amount of time pre-heating both fires. So I know it's not that. So using firebruck as spacers? Do I have that right?

[Bisquing plates]

Suggestions on the best way to bisque plates?  I have been firing them upside down in one layer. It works but takes up a lot of room. 

[Underglaze Bleeding Wanted!]

Yes...add enough gerstley borate to a glaze and it will bleed.....and run....all over the place. 

[Underglaze Bleeding Wanted!]

I just had a cone 6 fire where I put Amaco undeglaze on the top of a glaze.....it did blend in better....it was on top of Amaco Snow Celadon. I tried the white on Amaco Mulberry celadon and it did not entirely melt.