My "New Kiln"

This is my "new kiln". After accompany me for 12 years, I recently have fixed my kiln. The ceramic fiber was already damaged, so the heat in the chamber was not effective anymore. Usually for one LPG (50 kilos) could be 4 times to fire high firing but recently become 3 times only. The sheet of steel was already rustic and make a hole especially on the roof of kiln. 

With that situation, I decide to fix my kiln. To make efficient firing I add one layer of ceramic fiber which before only 4 layers. The installing of ceramic fiber also changed to square which before it was an arch, so the capacity of wares in chamber increase. I wish the kiln less fuel and more effective either in firing or capacity of pieces.

The kiln use downdraft method and have 4 burners, two in the front (the door) and the rest in behind (the fire is made face to face). According to my experiences, the burner in that position (not from bottom) the most hot fire is in the bottom shelve, contrary with the bottom one. The kiln used 2 burners before, I experiment add two to wish the heat evenly and more efficient fuel. 

Panorama

Sunset ohh Sunset

"Dog" Project

Reproduction the mold

2. Masking with separator

1. Let one part released (two parts left)

3. Round parts left by barrier

4. Ready to pour plaster slip

5. One part complete (new one)

6. Open 2nd part (old one) ready for new one 

7. Three parts completely

To reproduce the molds is more easier than make it from beginning. Firstly join each part of mold, but let one part released (fig.1). If there is no sphere on the model, you can add clay on the top (fig.2). After pour for one part go for second part and so on until third part.

Every finished with each part mold, you must wash the surfaces by wet sponge and clean the remains or remove something untidy. After all parts mold completely use sand paper to make smoother and wash again until have clean surfaces (to remove separator). If there is still remains left e.g. separator, it will be stick between clay body and the mold. Or if inner shape of mold has potentially stuck, the ware will be deformed or damage when opened, so you must remove some parts neatly.    

Make a Model: Clay to Plaster

There is one of way for making plaster model from clay model. Sometimes we will have difficulties technically to modelling the plaster model. We can not easily cutting or adding for the shape if compared with clay.

In this way you firstly must making the model from clay. The plaster cover don't too thick approximately 2 cm. To add the plaster slip to clay model like a sculptor way little by little. Next step you mark the plaster surface by knife and saw it until 2 millimeter depth not through. If cut through there is no bonding if paired back.  

When you will release plaster model from the mold, it doesn't matter the mold become broken or damage. You first must save the model. To make easier you must divide each part of model correctly, furthermore for making casting mold. Wrong in dividing, definitely will have difficulties in releasing model from the mold (model stuck in mold). In this situation potentially what you have done will be unsuccessful. Sometimes you must start from beginning again. 

1. Ready to pour plaster

2. Cut by knife just for mark, not through

3. Use saw but not through

4. Use hammer to hit knife grib to make 2 pieces 

5. Two pieces

6. If paired back will have exactly joined

8. Pour the plaster slip

7. Masking with separator

9. After opened and have sand paper

10. The results

Chasper

My New Products