 |
|
Kiln Pointers
|
|
|
The Electrical Shutoff Box for Large Kilns |
CONTENTS The Electrical Shutoff Box for Large Kilns Reader Response: The Paragon Cat Recent Q&As: Leaning into a kiln; the kiln collar defined A Kittrell/Riffkind Story: The Church with the Stained Glass Window Memorable Quote ----------- THE ELECTRICAL SHUTOFF BOX FOR LARGE KILNS Kilns should be disconnected from the power when not in use. The easiest way to do this is to install an electric shutoff box near the kiln. (The shutoff is not needed for the small 120 volt kilns.) The shutoff box disconnects the power without having to unplug the kiln or to flip a breaker at the breaker box. The shutoff box is a must for direct-wired kilns. The shutoff box (also called a disconnect box) mounts on the wall near the kiln. It is wired into the circuit. We recommend the type of disconnect box that has a handle on the outside. Merely pull down the handle to shut off the power. The box must be rated for outdoor use if you have it mounted outside, such as under a covered porch. Having an electric shutoff box near the kiln may also help you to obtain insurance coverage for your kiln. ----------- READER RESPONSE Last week I wrote about Phoenix, the Paragon cat. Terri Olson of Boise, Idaho wrote, “My heart just melted about the black kitten story in this Kiln Pointer. I had a beautiful black cat, too, for 17 years. His name was Charcoal and he was a sweetest little cat-friend anyone could ask for.” ----------- RECENT Q&As Q. How do you avoid damaging the top bricks when leaning down into a ceramic kiln to load it? A. Trace the top rim of your kiln onto newspaper or cardboard. Use this template to make a plywood loading support. The plywood should be about 2 feet long and fit over the top rim of your kiln's firing chamber. Lean over the plywood during loading and unloading. This will transfer your weight over a wide area and reduce brick damage. Q. What is a kiln collar? A. A collar is a removable kiln section. Most Paragon kilns of the 70s and 80s had an electric receptacle in the switch box. A collar, or separate kiln section, plugged into the receptacle. The collar was placed between the lid and main kiln body to enlarge the firing chamber. We discontinued the receptacle in the switch boxes in 1985, because so few people ever ordered the collars. It is easier to wait to fire a full kiln load than to remove or add a collar. We still have one kiln that uses removable collars--the S-99 with Kiln Sitter. Two collars plug into switch box receptacles in the bottom kiln section. ----------- A KITTRELL/RIFFKIND STORY: THE CHURCH WITH THE STAINED GLASS WINDOW David Kittrell of Kittrell/Riffkind Art Glass in Dallas, Texas wrote, “One Wednesday, Carol and I went down to a little country church near Waxahachie to fix a cracked piece in a leaded glass window. We drove up and went to work from the outside, not needing to go in yet. As I pulled out a 2" x 7" piece of stained glass, a little furry face popped up at me from the inside. “It turned out that the half-grown tabby from the house nearby got trapped in the church when everyone left on Sunday. Boy, was he glad to see us! Next thing I knew, he was sitting in my toolbox. Then I saw him on my truck dash. He was into everything we did. Finally, we had to shoo him home so we could pack the truck and get out kitten-free.” ----------- MEMORABLE QUOTE "I think everybody should study ants. They have an amazing four-part philosophy: Never give up, look ahead, stay positive, and do all you can." --Jim Rohn ----------- A few nights ago I watched "The Purple Plain," a movie starring a young Gregory Peck. Though set in brutal 1945 Burma, this is a beautiful love story. Speaking of movies, we are receiving videos for our kiln video contest. There is still plenty of time for you to enter. You can find the rules near the bottom of our home page. 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 / www.facebook.com/paragonkilns PRIVACY NOTICE: Under no circumstance do we share or sell your email address. Copyright 2010, by Paragon Industries, L.P. |
|
|
|
|
|
on:
|
“Custom and standard Kilns and Industrial Furnaces for ceramics, pottery, heat treating, enameling, |
||||