HELP with new-to-me kiln

[nouvellecoeur]

okay, this kiln was used for jewelry, i got it for free so i can't complain, but i'd love some suggestions to improve on it.
the dial-thing (don't know the lingo, sorry) and the thermometer dodad don't work, so i know i have to buy something, suggestions on where and what to get would be helpful
and the inside is gross. it has melted wax in it from casting, and it smells odd when it's on. My dad just replaced the cord on it, and all the elements seem to be working fine...


sorry about the bad photos. my camera HATES me!
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[nouvellecoeur]

:-( nobody will help meeee? i know, i'm sure it's HORRIBLE, but it's what i've got to work with...

[Three Muses Glass]

It doesn't look all that bad really. I don't know how to fix it but I'd start by cleaning up as much of the bottom as you can and fire it empty and at a pretty high temp, maybe 1500-1600 to get what's left to turn to ash. And then I'd clean up the ash and do it again after it cooled. You don't want any of that contaminating your beads. I think Smutboy ( a member here) sells pyrometers and even digital controllers.
I don't think I'd lay beads right on the bottom of it either. Maybe a small mullite shelf or some blanket. Really though, it's cute!
I bet you get some real answers tomorrow.:smile:

[nouvellecoeur]

can i use ceramic tiles? as long as it's not glazed? i think it's called bisque fired?

hehe, my kiln is cute :-) i'm amused.

[Three Muses Glass]

I think so. About the tiles I mean. Never used them myself. If you'd rather use blanket and don't have any, shoot me a PM with the size. Doesn't look like you'd need much cuz it's so cuuuuute! LOL!
Oh, I found the guy. smutboy420 is the member name. A plug and play digital for 200 shipped. Not too bad! (not babysitting a kiln - priceless:lol: )I thought he sold pyrometers too but I must have imagined it.

[nouvellecoeur]

ou!! no babysitting for me! thanks! :-)
i haven't measured my oh so cute kiln yet... got it a while ago but haven't gotten around to messing with it. haha. i will do that tomorrow, but i have 2 or 3 ceramic stores around me, and lots of free clay at school... so i think i'm set.

[misfit]

I'm trying to remember the name of the pottery place in Rochester... They can set you up with new pyrometer ect. and no bisque tile will not work so well.... but you can buy some kiln shelving from them too. its tom or nicks, on dewy ave in Rochester. their number is 254-0640 I believe. They are very reliable are reworking kilns and have exsperiance with glass kilns ect. ;)

A

[GLASSFREEK]

can i use ceramic tiles? as long as it's not glazed? i think it's called bisque fired?

hehe, my kiln is cute :-) i'm amused.

you can but a kiln shelf would be better.the coil looks fumed and very brittle dont touch them, but if it works leave it alone.I have a new infinite switch and analog pyrometer with a thurmocouple you can have for 50 bucks but I need to know the voltage 110 or 220.

Mike

[nouvellecoeur]

Thanks Misfit, i think i'll give them a call this week.

Glassfreek- Thanks for the offer, but if the ceramic place can't help me i think i'm going to buy a digital controler.. i figure if i can get a free kiln, buying the controler isn't too bad. :-)

[Dale M.]

Several things to consider and to recap what others have said. The infinite switch (controller) may not be functional, but it is replaceable with a industry "generic" infinite switch...

The thermocouple for the pyrometer may be broken, but it is replaceable, its a "common" kiln item, you just need to know type (J-K-etc.,) ... There should be some find print inside meter face (something like "1vm=10deg") this gives "scale" of meter and will be clue to what type thermocouple it requires...

Ultimately the most rewarding and least complicated fix would be standalone digital controller($200-$400 from various sources) . If infinite switch is defective you will probably have to bypass it or replace it with simple off/on switch when kiln is used with standalone controller...

Dale

[nouvellecoeur]

i'm thinking about buying the 30 segment ramp-soak controller on this website > http://hotasstools.com/digikiln.htm

does this look good? i'm just starting to get into boro, so i figured it would be worth it... but i know nothing about kilns and controlers... let alone how to work them. haha.

[smutboy420]

If you want to be able to have it ramp and soak at difrent temps then The 30 segment controller is a good choice. But if you only need it to hold at one set tempature then the single setpoint controller is all you really need.

That kiln looks to be in ok shape for a freebe. and in great shape for its age. To clean out the old casting wax. left over from the lost wax casting process. Run it up to 1450F for and hour or 2 and it will all be gone. Including the ash. (it will stink like burning plastic while its burning out.) and it might even catch on fire inside so be carfull opening it up while its cleaning its self. Sometimes the wax likes to smolder then when you open up the door it can burst in to flames from the air hitting it. So try to keep the door on it closed while its burning out the wax. Any flames inside will not hurt it.

The bottom does look like it could use a new shelf or a unglazed tile as someone had said. The wax likes to eat bricks. If you sweep that thing out make sure to do it out side and PLEASE WERE a dust mask. More then likely thats made with good old fashion asbestos refactory. But even if not any refactory is not good to breath.
A new coat of high heat 1250 degree paint would make that thing look pretty good to. You can find that in the hardware store for painting bar-b-q's and wood stoves.

But anyway that looks like a nice score. :-)

http://home.nycap.rr.com/hotasstools/pics/add-baner.gif (http://www.hotasstools.com)

[nouvellecoeur]

Thanks for the help! My dad is looking at the computer programable one.. i don't think i really need it, and i can't afford it, but hey if he's willing to help :-)

As soon as i have somehting that can TELL me the temperature inside i will try getting the wax out. that will hopefully be within the month. :-)

Thanks again smutboy, you'll probably be hearing from me soon! :-D

[Hayley]

Hey Ana,

Just one thought from me (others cover everything else!) . . . be careful when you put your beads in while garage annealing. Do NOT touch the coil elements on the side with you mandrel!!

[smutboy420]

Yea Don't touch the live elements with bare metal.

Thanks for the help! My dad is looking at the computer programable one.. I don't think i really need it, and i can't afford it, but hey if he's willing to help
It is a nice controller But not nessisary If you don't do a lot of changing of your profiles. Great for fuseing and stuff like that but. If you plan mostly on beads and stuff then it can be a lil bit over kill.

As soon as i have somehting that can TELL me the temperature inside i will try getting the wax out. that will hopefully be within the month.

If your dad is the handy type of dad He very well may be able to check out the thermcouple and the pyrometer gauge. And might be able to get that working. Chances are its a loose conection on the wires. on the back of the gauge. Fix is to reconnect them. Or #2 a corroded tip on the thermocouple. For a quick fix the very tip of it can be cut off and the ends of the 2 wires that make the thermocouple can be twisted back together. And you can melt the very tip in to a tiny ball if you have a O2/gas torch. <--very likely Because the wax fumes like to corrode the tips off.

Or #3 the gauge its self is rusted up in side. then its pretty much shot. If you can take the gauge out and shake it and the needled don't swing around then its the gauge funked up. Also likely being its pretty old (It looks twice as old as me.) and lost wax fumes like to eat stuff up. and cause things to rust. its posable. esp if its sat unused for any time. But if it ain't stuck. Its #1 or #2