Anyone building their own kilns?
I am trying to get started doing some glass and pottery crafting. I am
having to do it on my own and with the aid of some books. I live 150 mi from the nearest school with any similar art programs and probably couldn't afford the tuition if it was next store, we're barely affording keeping the daughter in. I was interested in a large Bell style kiln but there's no way in hell I can afford to buy one, unless maybe someone knows of a benefactor with deep pockets who would take pity on 50 something, gimpy old man (chuckle). Has anyone built their own and how hard is it? I have ordered a book by Halem, there is supposed to be some good information in it. I need my kiln to be wheelchair friendly and was wanting to have two rolling tables (also wheelchair accessible) so I could be loading / unloading one while the other was firing. I was thinking about a convertible kiln, ie; a 3' x 6' x 2' but I had the idea to maybe section it so I could isolate half of it for smaller firings. and also lower it down a little farther if I don't need the depth/height. I was given an 18" old (50's maybe) ceramic kiln that I would like to use for some glass and pottery as well. It just basically a 3 position switch which controls the 2 elements. I can't find any info on it. but I was wondering what was available as far as kiln programmers are available. I have 3 old dos and win98 machines and was wondering if anyone ever tried to use a PC as a kiln controller? ...... and what else would be needed. Are there any resources (websites, books, etc) that tackle this sort of thing? Thanks, Byrd |
Anyone building their own kilns?
"Byrd" wrote in message ... I am trying to get started doing some glass and pottery crafting. I am having to do it on my own and with the aid of some books. I live 150 mi from the nearest school with any similar art programs and probably couldn't afford the tuition if it was next store, we're barely affording keeping the daughter in. I was interested in a large Bell style kiln but there's no way in hell I can afford to buy one, unless maybe someone knows of a benefactor with deep pockets who would take pity on 50 something, gimpy old man (chuckle). Has anyone built their own and how hard is it? I have ordered a book by Halem, there is supposed to be some good information in it. I need my kiln to be wheelchair friendly and was wanting to have two rolling tables (also wheelchair accessible) so I could be loading / unloading one while the other was firing. I was thinking about a convertible kiln, ie; a 3' x 6' x 2' but I had the idea to maybe section it so I could isolate half of it for smaller firings. and also lower it down a little farther if I don't need the depth/height. I was given an 18" old (50's maybe) ceramic kiln that I would like to use for some glass and pottery as well. It just basically a 3 position switch which controls the 2 elements. I can't find any info on it. but I was wondering what was available as far as kiln programmers are available. I have 3 old dos and win98 machines and was wondering if anyone ever tried to use a PC as a kiln controller? ...... and what else would be needed. Are there any resources (websites, books, etc) that tackle this sort of thing? Thanks, Byrd Hey, Byrd... Might I suggest you surf on over to www.warmglass.com and register there for the forums? There is a pretty active newbies forum there and more than 6,000 members. You might find someone who lives nearby you and could tutor you. Unless you have an insane desire to reinvent the wheel, you'll probably spend as much money and a lot more time in building a kiln as you would to buy a new one. You can buy controllers (or build your own) to run the kiln you have now. What brand is it and what are the power requirements and size (inside)? While on the warmglass site, order the book by Brad Walker and (if you are $$ able), order the book by Richard LaLonde. Those two books should get you started. The LaLonde book has some drawings and plans for some big kilns that you might adapt. |
Anyone building their own kilns?
Byrd wrote:
I am trying to get started doing some glass and pottery crafting. I am having to do it on my own and with the aid of some books. I live 150 mi from the nearest school with any similar art programs and probably couldn't afford the tuition if it was next store, we're barely affording keeping the daughter in. I was interested in a large Bell style kiln but there's no way in hell I can afford to buy one, unless maybe someone knows of a benefactor with deep pockets who would take pity on 50 something, gimpy old man (chuckle). Has anyone built their own and how hard is it? I have ordered a book by Halem, there is supposed to be some good information in it. I need my kiln to be wheelchair friendly and was wanting to have two rolling tables (also wheelchair accessible) so I could be loading / unloading one while the other was firing. I was thinking about a convertible kiln, ie; a 3' x 6' x 2' but I had the idea to maybe section it so I could isolate half of it for smaller firings. and also lower it down a little farther if I don't need the depth/height. I was given an 18" old (50's maybe) ceramic kiln that I would like to use for some glass and pottery as well. It just basically a 3 position switch which controls the 2 elements. I can't find any info on it. but I was wondering what was available as far as kiln programmers are available. I have 3 old dos and win98 machines and was wondering if anyone ever tried to use a PC as a kiln controller? ...... and what else would be needed. Are there any resources (websites, books, etc) that tackle this sort of thing? Thanks, Byrd A PC is not reliable for controlling a kiln. An industrial grade temperature controller with ramp/soak functions is what you need. Add a solid state relay, a thermocouple, a mechanical contactor, and some wire and you have a good controller. $300. I built my own 3'x5'x1' bell kiln for $2200 including the controller. http://tinyurl.com/29bdav The best website for glass kiln working is www.warmglass.com Good luck, Jack http://www.glasterpiece.com |
Anyone building their own kilns?
On Apr 26, 5:29 pm, nJb wrote:
Byrd wrote: I am trying to get started doing some glass and pottery crafting. I am having to do it on my own and with the aid of some books. I live 150 mi from the nearest school with any similar art programs and probably couldn't afford the tuition if it was next store, we're barely affording keeping the daughter in. I was interested in a large Bell style kiln but there's no way in hell I can afford to buy one, unless maybe someone knows of a benefactor with deep pockets who would take pity on 50 something, gimpy old man (chuckle). Has anyone built their own and how hard is it? I have ordered a book by Halem, there is supposed to be some good information in it. I need my kiln to be wheelchair friendly and was wanting to have two rolling tables (also wheelchair accessible) so I could be loading / unloading one while the other was firing. I was thinking about a convertible kiln, ie; a 3' x 6' x 2' but I had the idea to maybe section it so I could isolate half of it for smaller firings. and also lower it down a little farther if I don't need the depth/height. I was given an 18" old (50's maybe) ceramic kiln that I would like to use for some glass and pottery as well. It just basically a 3 position switch which controls the 2 elements. I can't find any info on it. but I was wondering what was available as far as kiln programmers are available. I have 3 old dos and win98 machines and was wondering if anyone ever tried to use a PC as a kiln controller? ...... and what else would be needed. Are there any resources (websites, books, etc) that tackle this sort of thing? Thanks, Byrd A PC is not reliable for controlling a kiln. An industrial grade temperature controller with ramp/soak functions is what you need. Add a solid state relay, a thermocouple, a mechanical contactor, and some wire and you have a good controller. $300. I built my own 3'x5'x1' bell kiln for $2200 including the controller. http://tinyurl.com/29bdav The best website for glass kiln working iswww.warmglass.com nJB, what you really mean is that a computer is incomplete. It's perfectly suitable for controlling temperature change over time. You just need the ancillary hardware you mention and some software. Which is exactly what you get when you buy an off the shelf kiln computer. Jack, I built my own electric kiln. Very different from what you're interested in, but doubtless you'll still find some usefull information. I diarized the entire project he http://www.m2crafts.ca/kiln.html As for controlling it. I power pairs of serial wired elements with infinite switches similar to electric range switches. The switches have stops at seven intervals. I wrote myself a very simple computer program that allows me to enter the current temperature of the kiln and plots the change against a desired curve. It allows me to know how/when to change the power to the elements. Since I'm unwilling to leave the kiln alone for an entire firing I don't see the point in having the computer do more than that. Best regards, Mark. |
Anyone building their own kilns?
Well, Mark, while I understand your desire to keep an eye on the kiln, if
you are doing anything moderately thick, it must be really boring and interupting to your life to change the settings for annealling, that is where most of the automation efforts in kiln or annealler activity have gone, especially since, once you get over about 3/4 inch annealing takes more than overnight. Mike -- Mike Firth Furnace Glassblowing Website http://users.ticnet.com/mikefirth/ "m" wrote in message ps.com... On Apr 26, 5:29 pm, nJb wrote: Byrd wrote: I am trying to get started doing some glass and pottery crafting. I am having to do it on my own and with the aid of some books. I live 150 mi from the nearest school with any similar art programs and probably couldn't afford the tuition if it was next store, we're barely affording keeping the daughter in. I was interested in a large Bell style kiln but there's no way in hell I can afford to buy one, unless maybe someone knows of a benefactor with deep pockets who would take pity on 50 something, gimpy old man (chuckle). Has anyone built their own and how hard is it? I have ordered a book by Halem, there is supposed to be some good information in it. I need my kiln to be wheelchair friendly and was wanting to have two rolling tables (also wheelchair accessible) so I could be loading / unloading one while the other was firing. I was thinking about a convertible kiln, ie; a 3' x 6' x 2' but I had the idea to maybe section it so I could isolate half of it for smaller firings. and also lower it down a little farther if I don't need the depth/height. I was given an 18" old (50's maybe) ceramic kiln that I would like to use for some glass and pottery as well. It just basically a 3 position switch which controls the 2 elements. I can't find any info on it. but I was wondering what was available as far as kiln programmers are available. I have 3 old dos and win98 machines and was wondering if anyone ever tried to use a PC as a kiln controller? ...... and what else would be needed. Are there any resources (websites, books, etc) that tackle this sort of thing? Thanks, Byrd A PC is not reliable for controlling a kiln. An industrial grade temperature controller with ramp/soak functions is what you need. Add a solid state relay, a thermocouple, a mechanical contactor, and some wire and you have a good controller. $300. I built my own 3'x5'x1' bell kiln for $2200 including the controller. http://tinyurl.com/29bdav The best website for glass kiln working iswww.warmglass.com nJB, what you really mean is that a computer is incomplete. It's perfectly suitable for controlling temperature change over time. You just need the ancillary hardware you mention and some software. Which is exactly what you get when you buy an off the shelf kiln computer. Jack, I built my own electric kiln. Very different from what you're interested in, but doubtless you'll still find some usefull information. I diarized the entire project he http://www.m2crafts.ca/kiln.html As for controlling it. I power pairs of serial wired elements with infinite switches similar to electric range switches. The switches have stops at seven intervals. I wrote myself a very simple computer program that allows me to enter the current temperature of the kiln and plots the change against a desired curve. It allows me to know how/when to change the power to the elements. Since I'm unwilling to leave the kiln alone for an entire firing I don't see the point in having the computer do more than that. Best regards, Mark. |
Anyone building their own kilns?
I can't say strongly enough what great fun that was seeing your site of
building the kiln! Wonderful job... I'm so envious of your talent. Donna "m" wrote in message ps.com... On Apr 26, 5:29 pm, nJb wrote: Byrd wrote: I am trying to get started doing some glass and pottery crafting. I am having to do it on my own and with the aid of some books. I live 150 mi from the nearest school with any similar art programs and probably couldn't afford the tuition if it was next store, we're barely affording keeping the daughter in. I was interested in a large Bell style kiln but there's no way in hell I can afford to buy one, unless maybe someone knows of a benefactor with deep pockets who would take pity on 50 something, gimpy old man (chuckle). Has anyone built their own and how hard is it? I have ordered a book by Halem, there is supposed to be some good information in it. I need my kiln to be wheelchair friendly and was wanting to have two rolling tables (also wheelchair accessible) so I could be loading / unloading one while the other was firing. I was thinking about a convertible kiln, ie; a 3' x 6' x 2' but I had the idea to maybe section it so I could isolate half of it for smaller firings. and also lower it down a little farther if I don't need the depth/height. I was given an 18" old (50's maybe) ceramic kiln that I would like to use for some glass and pottery as well. It just basically a 3 position switch which controls the 2 elements. I can't find any info on it. but I was wondering what was available as far as kiln programmers are available. I have 3 old dos and win98 machines and was wondering if anyone ever tried to use a PC as a kiln controller? ...... and what else would be needed. Are there any resources (websites, books, etc) that tackle this sort of thing? Thanks, Byrd A PC is not reliable for controlling a kiln. An industrial grade temperature controller with ramp/soak functions is what you need. Add a solid state relay, a thermocouple, a mechanical contactor, and some wire and you have a good controller. $300. I built my own 3'x5'x1' bell kiln for $2200 including the controller. http://tinyurl.com/29bdav The best website for glass kiln working iswww.warmglass.com nJB, what you really mean is that a computer is incomplete. It's perfectly suitable for controlling temperature change over time. You just need the ancillary hardware you mention and some software. Which is exactly what you get when you buy an off the shelf kiln computer. Jack, I built my own electric kiln. Very different from what you're interested in, but doubtless you'll still find some usefull information. I diarized the entire project he http://www.m2crafts.ca/kiln.html As for controlling it. I power pairs of serial wired elements with infinite switches similar to electric range switches. The switches have stops at seven intervals. I wrote myself a very simple computer program that allows me to enter the current temperature of the kiln and plots the change against a desired curve. It allows me to know how/when to change the power to the elements. Since I'm unwilling to leave the kiln alone for an entire firing I don't see the point in having the computer do more than that. Best regards, Mark. |
Anyone building their own kilns?
m wrote:
nJB, what you really mean is that a computer is incomplete. It's perfectly suitable for controlling temperature change over time. You just need the ancillary hardware you mention and some software. Which is exactly what you get when you buy an off the shelf kiln computer. No, that's not at all what I mean. A controller is much more reliable than a computer. Ever had your computer freeze up? Imagine that when you have a 300lb bar top annealing. You can get a program to have your computer give the program to the controller and then just monitor the results. If the computer freezes, the controller still does it's job. Jack, I built my own electric kiln. Very different from what you're interested in, but doubtless you'll still find some usefull information. I diarized the entire project he http://www.m2crafts.ca/kiln.html As for controlling it. I power pairs of serial wired elements with infinite switches similar to electric range switches. The switches have stops at seven intervals. I wrote myself a very simple computer program that allows me to enter the current temperature of the kiln and plots the change against a desired curve. It allows me to know how/when to change the power to the elements. Since I'm unwilling to leave the kiln alone for an entire firing I don't see the point in having the computer do more than that. That will work for smaller items. It also provides a good education for how glass behaves at certain temps. Jack Best regards, Mark. |
Anyone building their own kilns?
|
Anyone building their own kilns?
Rob Morley wrote:
In article , nJb says... m wrote: nJB, what you really mean is that a computer is incomplete. It's perfectly suitable for controlling temperature change over time. You just need the ancillary hardware you mention and some software. Which is exactly what you get when you buy an off the shelf kiln computer. No, that's not at all what I mean. A controller is much more reliable than a computer. Ever had your computer freeze up? Imagine that when you have a 300lb bar top annealing. You can get a program to have your computer give the program to the controller and then just monitor the results. If the computer freezes, the controller still does it's job. If the computer freezes you're running Microsoft Windows[1] - stop it. :-) [1] or the computer's too close to the kiln - move it somewhere cool. Do whatever you like. My firings are much to valuable to even consider using a PC to control the kiln. Jack |
Anyone building their own kilns?
In , on Thu, 10 May 2007 16:45:44
-0600, nJb wrote: Rob Morley wrote: If the computer freezes you're running Microsoft Windows[1] - stop it. :-) [1] or the computer's too close to the kiln - move it somewhere cool. Do whatever you like. My firings are much to valuable to even consider using a PC to control the kiln. I've had PCs running hundreds of days without a reboot. Of course, by PC, I mean an x86 machine, not the common misuse of the term meaning a machine running some flavor of Windows. My computers are far more reliable than my present electric company. We've had at least a half dozen power outages since January already, ranging from half-second blips to 23 hours... Computers: Not a single reboot that wasn't a planned upgrade, or due to one of the aforementioned blips (only 2 machines are on UPS) - the other is at the mercy of the power company. |
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