Saturday, August 28, 2010

Udall's baby






Now that I have some bricks...and the actual kiln not being a dream any more..I sent the word out to a few friends about what I wanted in a kiln... and they pointed me towards these plans. This is just the type of kiln I want to build. It's realistic, compact, and the turn around for firing will be perfect for me to load and fire. This is a dandy of a little kiln by Peg Udall in Jack Troy's book, Wood-fired Stoneware and Porcelain. I was thinking "the bigger the better" and I began to have dreams and wishes about tying in an Anagama before the arch...then realized I should just get this thing up and get firing. I've helped construct a couple of kilns but this will be my first which I'm in charge of. Later this week I have to transport another couple of loads to the site... Then it's time to clean them all and get them ready. Anybody have a lot of concrete they dont want? So far I've only put in labor and not spent a dime..I'd like to see just how much of this whole thing my friends and I can scrounge...

6 comments:

  1. wow...so who's hitting up this page so much? 66 views yesterday?

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  2. I have some questions about this kiln. What are the dimensions of your flue openings and what is the height of your bag wall? Thanks for any input

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  3. One of the positives of Covid is no Art fairs, so Lots of us have had to learn how to make a living without traveling.So I now have spare time. I haven't fired a wood kiln since college 45 years ago. Some friends have talked about digging some of the clay from the hills around here to make planters and what/nots. The answer to the question would you take up pottery as a hobby if you ever retired? Yea sounds like fun. I copied your plans. Steve Ayers ayerspottery.com

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  4. How does the kiln fire (assuming this is what you built)?

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  5. Our version fires well. Usually ^10 in 24-30 hrs. However, we need to use Douglas fir (abundant here in the northwest) which is a high heat wood. Difficult to find formula for flue/firebox ratio, I feel our flue opening is too big.

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    Replies
    1. do you find that ash build-up and therefore classic wood fire effects are less with this kiln given it fires in 24-30 hours? Would firing longer create more ash build up or does the design resist that?

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