I've got gas!

Middle Tennessee Natural Gas came, set the meter and hooked the piping. I decided to have them do the plumbing. They have the tools, the materials, etc. and it seemed to make them more comfortable. As the kiln operates at a pressure way above normal house pressure, they raised an eye brow or two when I started talking to them about the kiln. They did a good job and I have to admit I would have taken far, far longer to do it. I have even lit the burners - sweet.





Here are a few shots of the arch construction. I changed the design a bit. I had enough "extra" IFB to add a layer. So the make up is, hard brick arch, two layers of kaowool, a layer of IFB, another layer of kaowool, chicken wire and finally a covering of Insulating castable. Hopefully that will keep the heat in.











I cut the hole through the roof yesterday and flashed it. Today, it is time to stack chimney brick.

Fuzzy Bricks

When I went out to the kiln to work the other day, I found fuzzy bricks on the chimney!



I suspected that it had something to do with moisture and sodium silicate, but I called Jim and Pam down at Larkin to make sure - they said don't panic, just shave them and go on. They confirmed my suspicions. Now how do you shave a brick? Does Gillette have a special blade for that?

It may be Fall, but its Sprung!

The last couple of days have been long anticipated. The burner supports were fabricated by my friend Steve and I installed them. The burners are waiting now for Middle Tennessee Natural Gas to come set the meter and pipe them. The engineer called to size the meter, so I know I am in the queue.



After all the worrying, fussing and general just plain thinking about it, it took less than two hours to set the support form, add the bricks and then remove the support.



So here is the arch in-place.



If I am not careful, I might actually have a kiln soon and get back to making pots instead of kilns.