Mike-H Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 Can you post another picture that shows the ceramic strips better? Are the elements completely sealed off by them? Are you sure they're not just wedged into place? What do the connections look like inside the control box? What's the max temp rating of the kiln? It should say on the serial plate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 Did a little searching, and in their catalog the ceramic pieces are listed as 'Element Covers', so I'd think they would pull out somehow. I don't see how you could change the elements otherwise. Plus that transition slot between the two rows in each section indicates that the elements are installed from inside the kiln. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike-H Posted January 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 @Mike-H is there an access point inside the control box where the element can be slid in and around? It would be a nightmare to get the old one out but unless those holders can tilt out or be pulled out completely I just don't see how to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike-H Posted January 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike-H Posted January 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 The only access is as thick as the wire thickness, not the coil diameter. Italian magic, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 13 minutes ago, Mike-H said: The only access is as thick as the wire thickness, not the coil diameter. Italian magic, eh? They've got to pull out somehow. I even searched Google Italy and couldn't find any information on them. Maybe try a little more force? Maybe they tilt up or down and then pull out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 If they element is sitting in a U, then I would try tilting the top in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike-H Posted January 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 Ok, I will do! Thanks very much Nick, for all your advice. I’ll update this thread, once I succeed…hopefully! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 My guess would be the skins (the sheet metal coverings) come off, hopefully easily, allowing access? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike-H Posted January 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted January 10, 2023 Report Share Posted January 10, 2023 The covers have to come off. Its ( agota come off) as they say in Italian Rae Reich 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted January 14, 2023 Report Share Posted January 14, 2023 The channels or grooves for the elements may be cut deep enough or at least two corners or two channels which could allow you to press two gently inward allowing enough clearance to remove the the first cover. Once one is removed in a row, the rest should come out fairly easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike-H Posted January 14, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2023 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 neilestrick and Hulk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted January 14, 2023 Report Share Posted January 14, 2023 (edited) Euclids https://euclids.com/pages/kiln-elements likely can wind you elements and getting a small hook shaped pry bar (re purposed small screwdriver) in the corner between the covers could help you remove the covers without having to pry against the soft fire brick. All likely Brexit free. Edited January 14, 2023 by Bill Kielb Mike-H 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterH Posted January 16, 2023 Report Share Posted January 16, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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