Post #531817 by BeezleBug on Sun, May 23, 2010 10:30 AM

Update on the Volcano Sipper...

Plus, I thought I'd go all mad scientist and build my own low-fire kiln. Here's the start...

I tracked down some old plans for a kiln built out of a steel oil drum, so I thought I'd try a cut-down trashcan. I'm using 2300 degree refractory brick. The base bricks (out of sight) are set on their side and are cut and cemented into a hex shape. For now, the side bricks are placed loosely as I plan out the resistance wire grooves. Once the walls are grooved, cemented, and braced, all the empty voids between the brick and the can will be filled with vermiculite. There will also be a lift-off lid made of bolted-together bricks. The control box is half a paint can that is hinged so I can get to the wiring. The resistance wire will be sent through the can via ceramic-insulated pass-through bolts. The 20 amp switch is using high-temp appliance wire. There will be a peep hole and a tiny shelf on the opposite side for peeking at self-supporting pyrometric cones. I have the whole thing set on a wooden base that I can caster around the garage.

The kiln firing space is 7x9x9". It'll produce roughly 1700 watts at 14 amps using 144 inches of coiled AWG 11 Kanthal wire. Since I work at cone 06 for everything, I figure it should be sufficient. (Turns out algebra is useful for some things!) If you want a good book on kiln math, track down "Electric Kiln Construction for Potters" by Robert Fournier.

http://www.BeezleBugBit.com

[ Edited by: BeezleBug 2010-05-23 15:09 ]