Kiln repair

The kiln was starting to look a bit sorry for itself after a lot of use so my husband Ian has been helping me to give it a little TLC. This is first batch out of the newly refurbished kiln and I’m very happy with them.

First pots from the newly repaired kiln

First pots from the newly repaired kiln

The back wall of the kiln was getting very cracked. My mate Nigel had some left over fibreboard from repairing his kiln which he kindly gave me, so all we had to do was cut it to size and wire it into place. Not as easy as we’d hoped but it fired a treat and I no longer have such extreme hot and cool spots, and the crystal formation is now much more intense in the glazes too.

New back wall

New back wall

The door hadn’t been opening very smoothly for a while either and eventually the bottom hinge sheared off leaving the door hanging at a very strange angle. Rather than spending hard earned cash Ian decided a trip down the scrapyard was called for.

Ian searching scrapyard for hinges

Searching for hinges. No joy, so looking for the perfect bits of metal to make some from instead.

Still searching for hinges

Still searching for hinges

Ian could do with a workbench, instead he made these kneeling on the slabs with a hacksaw, lump hammer and a drill.

New hinges mackled together

New hinges mackled together

 

Shiny new hinges!

Shiny new hinges!

 

Hurrah!

Hurrah!

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