CarolineL

Thank you Bill. What might be worth trying is 1/4 foam around the wood, then a tight plastic then newspaper before draping the clay over this form. It’s time to experiment! Maybe like you said remake the form with the top being a bit smaller than the bottom so it can slide up and off. This is tricky business!!

Thank you, everyone! This is all so very helpful and I appreciate this forum so much. I will look at all of these links and learn!! Here is a picture of the clay on my wooden mold, and it keeps cracking, even though I’m keeping it wet with a wet sheet and plastic over that to dry it slowly.

Here is a picture of the clay on my wooden mold, and it keeps cracking, even though I’m keeping it wet with a wet sheet and plastic over that to dry it slowly.

Hello, I have a similar problem. I built a wood mold or frame and have the clay on top of it and it’s cracking even though keeping it wet. Is there something that can be put between the wooden mold and the clay like bubble wrap so it addresses the shrinkage problem?

Update: Fred Olsen came over and reworked the entire gas line setup properly. It was NOT set up right and could have blown up. It works beautifully now and we are having fun firing cone 6. Thank you all so much!

Thank you everyone! What a great resource you all are! So much important input. Neil, we learned what the air flap is. Would not have known about this so thank you. A great plumber came today (Dennis does everything) and he knew just what to do in every direction :-) Will block the wind with plywood for this Saturday bisque firing but plan a metal gate with acrylic for a permanent blocker. Progress in all directions! Still to see about getting to 2250 with a glaze firing. Will post once more when it’s all dialed in. What a great group you are, so much knowledge and quick response. THANK YOU

Thank you guys so much for the smart feedback. The kiln shelves to block the wind is a brilliant idea as they are heavy. We were using some 20 x 20 tiles propped up everywhere. My main concern is that the propane is safely set up. Oldlady, Wow I’m so sorry to hear about your friend and you’re right the “contractor” that did the propane he was not happy with his life he grumble the entire time. I have a call into the local gas company trying to get their top person out here and I’m just not getting responses. The page for setting up the propane pipes on the manual was pretty involved and it intimidated the plumber/contractor who set it up. I really wish I could’ve gotten an electric kiln with a Bartlett controller! We live in a mountain community and getting more electrical to the house was near impossible so we had to go gas. I share the kiln with my neighbors but they’re going to go away if I can’t get their pottery to be shiny! I will post back here and let you know how it goes. Thank you everyone so very much! I was just not getting answers this is a serious very serious thing having a big gas kiln.

This is a brand new kiln kit that was recently constructed with the help of a contractor. However, it is clear to us that we need to hire a plumber that is an expert with propane burners, and hopefully with kilns in general. We will also seek help with some sheet metal for wind protection. Thank you Neil!! Will let you know how it goes.

Neil, Thank you so much for your response. Propane gas. Yes there is a pressure gauge. Not sure about the air flaps. They were set by the plumber who had not previously worked on a kiln. By the way, what is an air flap? where do we find it?

Hi, we have an Olsen 16 gas kiln. How can we stop the wind from blowing out the burners (at the bottom). Also can’t seem to get it above 1850 and really want to get to 2200. Have bisque fired twice to 1850 was ok but the 3rd firing (glaze) was a disaster with the wind blowing out the burners and the glaze did not mature, the work coming out super dull. What can be done??