claydy Posted February 27, 2020 Report Share Posted February 27, 2020 Hi all! I have been firing some pipes that are irregularly shaped, and have been spending far too much money on kiln stilts. I came to the conclusion that building my own silts of sorts would be the best way to go. My plan is to create two "bookends" with holes and to string through the pipes between the two ends with high temp wire. I'm so confused as to what substrate I should be using to build the two ends out of. At first I thought just high fire clay, but I have friends telling me even these won't stand up to the test of time. Does anyone have any idea of what to use to build these pieces? What are typical kiln stilts made out of ? Thanks so much!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted February 27, 2020 Report Share Posted February 27, 2020 If you’re firing at earthenware temperatures, there’s no reason a high fire clay won’t work. I have some ornament stands made from cone 10 clay that I fire to cone 6 that I’ve been reusing for about 5 years now. I think your wires will wear out sooner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted February 27, 2020 Report Share Posted February 27, 2020 I think kiln furniture is typically mullite? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted February 27, 2020 Report Share Posted February 27, 2020 You could also get some soft brick and cut it to size with a hacksaw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted February 28, 2020 Report Share Posted February 28, 2020 @claydy, recipe for mullite setters below, if you don't want to use clay for making your own stilts you could use the mullite setter recipe. It would probably work for the bookends for a bead tree too. If you do make some of it up I can post the mixing directions if it helps. Other thing you can use for the bookends is square kiln posts with notches cut into the ends with a masonry blade. Mullite Setters ^6- 10 Talc 20 Tennessee Ball 25 100 mesh Mullite 55 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted February 28, 2020 Report Share Posted February 28, 2020 Raku clay, or any other really groggy clay, would probably work too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claydy Posted February 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2020 Thanks so much everyone!! You have all been amazingly helpful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted March 1, 2020 Report Share Posted March 1, 2020 I'v also strung wire between the castle-top shelf props. Sit another prop on top of the wire to hold it. Might not work for very heavy danglers. I also made supports from stoneware clay, like an upturned single leg table with supports. Can't find a photo, but something/nothing like this: It might not last forever, but it's worth a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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