Mike-H

Thanks, but I have done so already. They have not seen one of these, nor ever supplied it. Mike

Hi Does anyone know about or have information on this Micro4 kiln controller please? It’s connected to a Kilns & Furnaces Firecraft kiln Type F/TL.74, here in the UK. Any advice or information gratefully received. Mike

Thanks for the great ideas….. hopefully at least one will work, for me. Cheers Mike

Hi Neil I think that almost all the wheels, I’ve been to, to repair, (approx 30) have the head stuck on! Luckily, they have all been, motor, belt drive, electrical, etc faults & removal of the head was not needed. But I just wondered if anybody had any advice or tips, so that I don’t crack the aluminium/alloy head! Cheers Mike

Hi Any ideas on how to remove a wheel head that is “stuck” in place, due to lack of maintenance? Also, how do others remove a breaking that is a very tight fit on the drive shaft? As always, any advice is greatly appreciated. Cheers, Mike

Thank you everyone for your input. I spoke, via Google translate, to the Italian company. He confirmed that they should just pull out … ”To replace the resistors, you must first remove the resistance cover rods, which have been inserted ‘locking’, to do so you can help with the tip of a screwdriver.” Unfortunately, due to the high cost (>€300!), increased by 20% import tax…thanks to Brexit (Don’t blame me, I didn’t vote for it!) and my time, the customer has decided it’s not worth spending this much on an old kiln. I must say that if you do need to contact HobbyCeram, do it in Italian & you will get a really good response. Again thanks for all your help. Mike

The customer has taken these photos…. So you might be onto something Neil. What little I could see, the coil diameter was quite small, so if I can remove these ceramic fittings, we might have some success! I think it’ll be more like surgery than engineering. (sorry, just noticed that that you got autocorrected to Nick, in previous messages!) Cheers

Ok, I will do! Thanks very much Nick, for all your advice. I’ll update this thread, once I succeed…hopefully! Mike

The only access is as thick as the wire thickness, not the coil diameter. Italian magic, eh?

Yes, the ends of the 4 element sections terminate through the firebricks & into in screw connectors behind the connection case. I too saw them in the 2021 catalogue at €4.50 each! Maybe I’m just being a bit too gentle with them? Also max temp is 1260°C.

Hi Nick I’m a repair engineer & I was called to this kiln today. I’ve attached 2 photos to show the covers. I think they are U-shaped & not sealed in, but they did not move when I tried to wiggle them out with a thin screwdriver. It was marking the fire bricks rather than moving out. All the corners were mitered (60degrees?) which stopped them moving out. Also from what little I could see, the element was sitting IN the U shape. But as they are so tight, one strip couldn’t come out with the next ones coming out at the same time … which looks impossible to me! HobbyCeram have not responded, so I don’t know if I can get replacement elements anyway. Regards Mike

Hi Does anybody have any experience of repairing these kilns? The company is in Milan, but not responding to emails & the UK subsidiary listed, has closed! I’m looking at ordering & fitting a replacement element set, but they are held in (possibly) ceramic u-shaped strips, which do not seem to want to move! Any advice gratefully received! Mike