Galaxy
2007-08-27, 8:16pm
:shtf: ok so i decided to build my own annealer, its a lot of work and it kind atakes a while but, its way cheaper than buying a new one epecially since i salvaged a bunch of bricks from an old ceramic kiln \\:D/.
the inside dementions are L= 21.5 x w=18 x h=15 inches i determinded this using an equasion in a kiln building book and ill have to look that up but basically it had to be less that 5600 cu in for 20 amps. i also took into account the size of fore brick ( and its cost ) and tried to only have to cut half bricks.
first i bout some 3/4 inch angle iron and my buddy greg helped me weld up the frame
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/6782/p8263207sp6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
i used about a 18 - 16 guage metal for the side with the punty door in it so it would support the weight of the door opening and closing all the time, i will probably use some "flashing" from the hardware store to fill in the sides and keep the fiber blanket from getting every where
then i got a box of ceramic fiber blanket, i used insowol brand density #8
i lined the outside and the bottom with 2 inches of this stuff. note; the ceramic fiber is very nasty make sure you wear full length shirt and pants a hat and some gloves and a respirator is not a bad idea, or at least a dust mask.
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/152/p8263209xd2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
then i put in the bricks ( i also wear a resperactor when handling bricks because they are loaded with silica dust)
i cut a hole for the side door/punty door
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/1231/p8263210ix7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
im going to have the door and hinges and door handles welded on soon
then i will get a castable refractory mix and pour a bunch on the lid because the lid is just 4 inches of ceramic fiber ( no bricks) and i will need it to stay in place. after that i will probably figure out where to put the elements and cut grooves in the brick and order those from Joppa http://www.joppaglass.com/elements/mainelpg.html
then it will pretty much be done.... i hope so at least :?
i will have a much bigger and better kiln that the one im using now, which is falling apart
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/1272/p8263217ri3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
i also made a temperature controller for this new kiln but i use it on my old one for now its probably the best 175 - 200 $ i have ever spent in my life. if anyone would like a tutorial on how to make one im sure i can whip one up.
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3287/p8263212cr8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
the inside dementions are L= 21.5 x w=18 x h=15 inches i determinded this using an equasion in a kiln building book and ill have to look that up but basically it had to be less that 5600 cu in for 20 amps. i also took into account the size of fore brick ( and its cost ) and tried to only have to cut half bricks.
first i bout some 3/4 inch angle iron and my buddy greg helped me weld up the frame
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/6782/p8263207sp6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
i used about a 18 - 16 guage metal for the side with the punty door in it so it would support the weight of the door opening and closing all the time, i will probably use some "flashing" from the hardware store to fill in the sides and keep the fiber blanket from getting every where
then i got a box of ceramic fiber blanket, i used insowol brand density #8
i lined the outside and the bottom with 2 inches of this stuff. note; the ceramic fiber is very nasty make sure you wear full length shirt and pants a hat and some gloves and a respirator is not a bad idea, or at least a dust mask.
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/152/p8263209xd2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
then i put in the bricks ( i also wear a resperactor when handling bricks because they are loaded with silica dust)
i cut a hole for the side door/punty door
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/1231/p8263210ix7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
im going to have the door and hinges and door handles welded on soon
then i will get a castable refractory mix and pour a bunch on the lid because the lid is just 4 inches of ceramic fiber ( no bricks) and i will need it to stay in place. after that i will probably figure out where to put the elements and cut grooves in the brick and order those from Joppa http://www.joppaglass.com/elements/mainelpg.html
then it will pretty much be done.... i hope so at least :?
i will have a much bigger and better kiln that the one im using now, which is falling apart
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/1272/p8263217ri3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
i also made a temperature controller for this new kiln but i use it on my old one for now its probably the best 175 - 200 $ i have ever spent in my life. if anyone would like a tutorial on how to make one im sure i can whip one up.
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3287/p8263212cr8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)