S.LEACH POTTERY WORKSHOPS ~ Kiln reconstruction 2 !

[chuclebutt]

so, is the point of a chimney to let the gasses escape? I'm new to this concept and i don't really understand why it's there, because doesn't that mean that you are losing heat?!?!

[TorkahPC]

You do look like chuck norris.

[Harkruel]

LOL I cannot talk properly unless I talk with my arms? XD!!

[artbydycus]

Simon, I knoticed another change to your kiln whitch you didn't have last time. On the other side from the chimney you had some brick at the place wher the gases go under the shelf on their way out. Could you comment on that change? wcd

[sleachpots]

@artbydycus I had an arrangement that stopped the gas flame from going straight around the corner and out the chimney, a baffle or deflector bricks.. My current set up is similar although not finalised yet ~ these things one must be open to change as one goes along ...learning as one goes. SL

[meredithpottery]

So happy to hear you talking about wearing a mask. So important. Thanks for the reminder and do take care of yourself....

[artbydycus]

@meredithpottery

[potteryworks]

hello simon, i will be building one of these converted kills. my plan is to make it a downdraft also. what i am going to do is cut my hole in the bottom (floor) of the kiln and under the floor of the kiln and build a freestanding chimney on the outside ,but it won't touch the kiln on the outside. i got this idea from another potters kiln he had built the kiln on the floor of his studio and the chimney ran under the floor and out to an outside chimney....

[potteryworks]

hello simon, i will be building one of these converted kills. my plan is to make it a downdraft also. what i am going to do is cut my hole in the bottom (floor) of the kiln and under the floor of the kiln and build a freestanding chimney on the outside ,but it won't touch the kiln on the outside. i got this idea from another potters kiln he had built the kiln on the floor of his studio and the chimney ran under the floor and out to an outside chimney....

[GindaUP]

That's a neat idea for an internal chimney. Maybe sliding the lid a bit off center would expose the exit flue opening. I converted a kiln that size into a wood burning cross/down draft with a Pignose Bourry box and a hard brick chimney. Need an extra layer of brick on the outside to insulate better but I got to ^11-^9 in about 2 days, single fire, in S W Michigan in the winter. I could use one of these gas converts to do tests before firing the 65cu.ft. wood burner. Thanks & stay in there eh.

[TheDraindeimo]

Im kind of new to your videos, are you by chance a relative of Bernard Leach?

[sleachpots]

@TheDraindeimo.... yes , youngest grandson. :)  SL

[TheDraindeimo]

@sleachpots Amazing, its like being the grandson of superman i bet lol

[6jslade]

Simon I think the internal flue is just the ticket. As you said it will increase kiln efficiency and save the stainless sheathing. Would regular steel 1/8 or 1/4 inch (cut and welded to your specs) withstand the heat? I'm just trying to think of something to replace the space hogging firebrick...would decrease the thermal mass also.

I'm sure you'll arrive at an elegant solution, as usual. Thanks very much for posting.

[igehring]

I quite enjoyed watching your video Mr Simon. It is a very interesting subject. Nice chatting with the camera, haha

[longbeforedawn]

I had the same thought as you, when ok saw the external kiln - I think inside with the ha

[joealanouf]

simon. how are your pots selling on etys? doing well?

[sleachpots]

@joealanouf selling pretty well thanks .....I just need to get some more stoneware functional pots up there which i shall be doing when my kiln is up and running again ! KP ~ SL

[theillustriousjay]

Another disadvantage of taking the flue out through the top of the kiln is that to open the lid you will have the tedious task of dismantling the flue to the exterior each time, and with wear and tear it will never fit back together again quite so tightly. To stop the burning away of the stainless steel sheathing place some insulating fibre between the flue and the kiln. It probably only burnt away last time because the relatively flimsy flue collapsed? Necessity says invent a stronger flue?

[sleachpots]

@theillustriousjay thank you for your insights, appreciated ! SL

[theillustriousjay]

Indiana Jones? Chuck Norris?.... nah.... more like a Rembrandt who has given up painting and taken up pottery? An external chimney flue is probably the better idea since cutting a leak free hole in the top will not be easy? Why not invest in some cheap metallic flexible gas pipes which you could take out through the window and evacuate the poisonous fumes, saving a few years of your life? Also, the hot metal chimney would add to the warmth of the studio for free.

[morto360]

The microfone on this camera seem to record from behind it.. not infront!

Maybe its a simple setting somewhere in the menu.. since the sound is just perfect when you stand behind the camera.

[sleachpots]

@morto360 I know its a weird one isnt it ! maybe I should reverse the screen and shoot blind ! the mic though is on the front side or at least the holes are there ? No menu options here, its a cheap camera ! SL

[expatjon1]

we dry stacked our chimney with dig bricks then the lid pushed down on it and held it fine . als mack sure you cut the hole in the lid a brick size in and not on the metal edge . my converted kiln has a much bigger size chiminey and i was told by my uncle i can always cut it down later but you can run in to problems if the hole is not big enough . i think i sent you pictures in the past ! jon the expat in up state ny

[sleachpots]

@expatjon1 thanks Jon ! KP & stay warm !

[plainrsc]

I enjoy your videos

Could you fashion the inside chimney out of paper clay - bisque fire it in your raku kiln

Before placing of in your converted kiln

Would you consider cutting a hole in the top ring instead of the lid

Just throwing out ideas

Keep practicing

[sleachpots]

@plainrsc ...thanks giving me some ideas there with a thrown chimney !

[credenza1]

Thanks for sharing your thinking about the kiln.

[supermaucat]

Simon, how will you cut a hole for the top for the chimney flue? Will it destroy the whole cover if it breaks during cutting?

I'd go for the external chimney and I'd build it out of those chimney metal pieces... take one metal tube and bend it into square shape and stick it in there and then with an elbow connector you can move the chimney away from the kiln and avoid further damage to the kiln (and chimney tubes are cheap to replace).

PS: I hope those bricks don't contain asbestos!

[expatjon1]

@supermaucat i cut a hole in the lid of my kiln and it works fine

[HollyFragrenades]

if i wanted to get started into pottery making what would be an easy beginning for some one thats good at art but never done anything like this. i draw anything tho :) thanks alot.

[sleachpots]

@HollyFragrenades Hi ...welcome to the world of clay ! get going on the wheel and play !  have fun ! that is good place to start. Better not invest in equipment at this stage but get along to a class somewhere and see if you enjoy it ~ you will i am sure. Good luck ! SL

[oddsource]

Great videos simon, hoping for new additions in 2011. I learn by viewing then practicing. The books are not realy doing much for me Im a visual and hands on person.

[sleachpots]

@oddsource Thanks ! keep practicing ! SL