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Kiln Pointers
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How to Set a Multimeter |
CONTENTS How to Set a Multimeter Reader Response: Reusing Thinfire paper Recent Q&As: Removing shelf primer from molds; cutting glass circles A Paragon Story: The Icy Roads that Shut Down Dallas Memorable Quote News: Advanced Kiln Maintenance Seminar February 19 – 20, 2010 ----------- HOW TO SET A MULTIMETER The multimeter measures volts, ohms, and amps. The most confusing thing about the meter is setting it for each type of measurement. In addition to reading this pointer, also refer to your meter’s instruction sheet. You can often find it online. Voltmeter Select the voltage type on the meter. To measure the voltage of a battery, select DCV. To measure voltage in a building, select ACV. Your meter may have a voltage range setting. If so, select the range of volts that is the next higher range than you expect to measure. To measure 120 volts, set the meter to the next higher setting, such as 200 volts. Some meters automatically detect the type of voltage you are measuring and the voltage range. Make sure the probes are in the correct connectors on the meter. Ohmmeter Select ohms on your meter. Ohms is represented by the omega, or horseshoe, symbol. With the probes plugged into the correct terminals on the meter, place the ohms range switch in the lowest setting. Ammeter The volume of electricity that your kiln uses is measured in amps. To measure amps, you will need a multimeter that has an ammeter clamp on the end. Place the probes in the correct connectors on the meter. Then set the meter switch to Amps. Place the range switch to a higher range than the expected amps. ----------- READER RESPONSE The topic of the last Kiln Pointer was “Reusing Thinfire Paper.” Larry Cartales of Stained Glass Specialties of Oregon wrote, “I tried to reuse my Thinfire last night after reading your pointer. “I have been firing three or four Christmas Ornaments at a time in my SC-2 kiln. The pieces were cold, and they left the Thinfire intact as the previous writer indicated. I carefully placed the glass on the used Thinfire, and all looked well. But when the firing was complete, the old Thinfire had apparently left a film of dust particles that fused into the glass, leaving a haze of fine particles on the dull surface. I think I will continue to spring for the new Thinfire and get the best firing I can out of my great Paragon kilns!” Results may vary with brand and type of paper. Thanks, Larry, for your kind note. –Arnold ----------- RECENT Q&As Q. How do you get kiln shelf primer off of molds? I've scrubbed and scraped, but it's still there. A. You don't have to get it all off. If it won't come off by scrubbing, it won't flake off during firing, either. Don’t worry about the remaining residue as long as the mold surface is smooth enough to add a fresh coat. Q. How does one cut glass circles and curves? A. Do not press too hard with the glass cutter. This is a common error. Use a high quality reservoir cutter such as a Toyo. After cutting a circle, make cut lines that radiate out from the circle to the edges of the glass. Then break off the excess pieces that surround the circle. Use them in another project. To cut curved lines, you will need running pliers. Center the glass score line in the pliers and squeeze the plier handles. ----------- A PARAGON STORY: THE ICY ROADS THAT SHUT DOWN DALLAS Recent weather reminds me of the year an ice storm shut down the city of Dallas. People stayed home from work. Frances Darby, the founder of Paragon, and Earline Covington, the sales manager, solved the problem by spending the night at the Paragon kiln factory. They slept on tables in the office. At that time I drove a VW van. I left my Dallas apartment at 4:00 a.m. to avoid the traffic. Only a rare 18-wheeler passed me. The tires of my van crunched; the shadows from the headlights accentuated the strange patterns in the ice. I drove into the almost deserted factory parking lot two hours early and waited patiently, glad to have missed the traffic. ----------- MEMORABLE QUOTE “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” --Robert F. Kennedy ----------- NEWS: ADVANCED KILN MAINTENANCE SEMINAR We are holding an Advanced Kiln Maintenance Seminar February 19 - 20, 2010 at the Paragon factory in Mesquite, Texas. The seminar will cover kiln design, extensive trouble shooting, three-phase power, and much more. Participants should complete the basic repair seminar or have experience repairing kilns before attending the advanced seminar. You do not need to bring tools. The seminar fee is $105.00. Meals, Airport Pickup, Hotels As a seminar student, you are a VIP guest at Paragon. We furnish breakfast and lunches on both days and dinner the first evening. The seminar is an exciting way to meet new friends. If you arrive before 4:00 p.m. the day before the seminar, we will pick you up at Love Field or D/FW International Airport. Please call ahead with flight number, arrival time, airport, gate number, and cell phone number. We will pick up students from the following hotels at 7:30 - 7:45 a.m. each seminar morning and return them at the end of the first day: Hampton Inn 800-426-7866 Holiday Inn Express 972-288-9900 After the seminar, a shuttle will leave Paragon at around 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. to take students back to the airports. For more information and to register, please call 800-876-4328 or 1-972-288-7557 and ask for customer service. You can also send inquiries to ttrice@paragonweb.com . The fee is refundable if you cannot attend. Please inform us of cancellations at least a week in advance. This seminar is on a first come, first serve basis. The only way to reserve your space in the class is full payment and registration ahead of time. ----------- The above quote about daring to fail greatly applies to kilns. Some of the best pieces are experimental. Even an imperfection can enhance a piece of ware. Thank you, With best wishes, Arnold Howard Paragon Industries, L.P. – Better Designed Kilns 2011 South Town East Blvd., Mesquite, Texas 75149-1122 Voice: 972-288-7557 & 800-876-4328 / Fax: 972-222-0646 / ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com PRIVACY NOTICE: Under no circumstance do we share or sell your email address. Copyright 2010, by Paragon Industries, L.P. |
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“Custom and standard Kilns and Industrial Furnaces for ceramics, pottery, heat treating, enameling, |
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