Should I Flip My Bottom?

[Pieter Mostert 72]

I bought a third-hand kiln recently, which has some substantial cracks in the floor, as well as the remains of a number of glaze runs. It's a Paragon TnF-82, so it should be possible to turn the bottom over. However it looks like some of the cracks may go all the way through, so I'm worried that it'll fall apart if I try to flip it over. I'm not in a position to replace the floor right now, so is it best to leave it as is?

In another thread, Mark C mentions that he puts his kilns on a thick piece of sheet metal to support them better. Would it be worth doing this for my kiln, given that it's only about 65cm in diameter? On the other hand, the support that came with the kiln looks like it could be a bit bigger.

[bciskepottery 963]

Just place a full shelf on top of 1/2" posts on the bottom and you're all set to go. No need to flip bottom.

[TJR 361]

I agree with bisk. You can even raise the shelf up on broken bits of kiln shelf. So long as you have a slight gap for air circulation.

there is a joke here about your bottom, but I am too polite to go there as I am Canadian.

TJR.

[oldlady 2,501]

if you can locate a piece of sheet metal, there is nothing wrong with putting it under the bottom.  the stands seem small to new people but they support the walls of the kiln.  do what bciske and tjr said to do.  that bottom is a perfect example of why kiln shelves  in the bottom are better than bare bottoms.

[Pieter Mostert 72]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm planning on installing a downdraft vent at some point (will probably have more questions) so will be using a shelf on short posts on the bottom anyway. I just wish the previous owner hadn't been such a fan of bare bottoms.

[Arnold Howard 68]

The stand should be large enough to support the walls. The TnF-82 comes with an 18" x 18" x 9" (45 cm x 45 cm x 22 cm) stand.

 

Yes, you can slide a piece of sheet metal between the kiln and stand. It is easy to do.

 

Sincerely,

 

Arnold Howard

Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA

ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com

[neilestrick 3,710]

Flipping the floor would probably just make it crack more. Flipping is only advantageous if there are chunks out of the floor that are preventing the bottom shelves from sitting level. Your floor looks like it's cracked all the way through, so you want to handle it as little as possible. A piece of sheet metal under it wouldn't hurt.