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Am I going to CRY????

Posted: Wed May 14, 2003 9:54 am
by bkfoltz
I have been doing some 2x2 and 3x3 tiles with the kids at the school where I do technology. We have a large programable skutt kiln. I have fired 3 batches. The tiles have been turning our great.

this is the schedule I have been using
600 1480 20
9999 970 20
120 850 0
200 700 0
off

Loaded the kiln yesterday at lunch. Turned it on, used the same program as before. Something went wrong. The kiln did not shut off. So the tiles have been at about 1300 since yesterday.

I was able to program it to heat just a little and then cool down using the same schedule at before.

AM I going to be crying and having kids cry when I open it?

What a way to start the morning.
KRIS

Posted: Wed May 14, 2003 10:11 am
by Bob
Hi Kris,

Don't reach for the kleenex yet. The relay switch might have seized and prevented the kiln from cooling. Holding it at 1300F for a long time won't distort the shape ... might have caused some devitrification.

Accidents are a part of the game. If it was easy everyone and their dog (especially the ones that can program kilns... oops) would be doing it. Make it a positive experience for the kids.... there might be some very interesting projects. Mistakes can be good.

Let us know how they came out.

Cheers,

Bob

Posted: Wed May 14, 2003 10:32 am
by bkfoltz
I just checked the kiln and it is cooling down. I did just overspray on them so I hope they look ok. I will let you know in the AM how they look.
KRIS

Posted: Wed May 14, 2003 12:34 pm
by Dani
And this is one of the best lessons in using controllers.... they may make your life easier, but you still have to be there to control them. They are not infallible and runaway kilns are not unheard of.... I don't run my kilns when I'm not around. It's good for the human in charge to check them every few hours.

Posted: Thu May 15, 2003 1:18 pm
by K Okahashi
I agree with Dani. I just don't trust leaving the kilns on when I'm not here. I've heard too many stories and ruined projects from folks who left their kilns alone- only to find out studios caught fire, projects destroyed. #-o I would not take the chance of possible fires let alone an important project...it's not worth it IMHO.