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Pottery and Ceramics ToolsKiln Firing GaugeHow to use one.A kiln firing gauge is used to make sure that your kiln sitter is working properly. If it isn't the kiln will not shut off at end of firing cycle and damage the kiln and its load or worst yet start a fire. |
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It is a simple little disc made of metal that is slipped over the sensing rod of the kiln sitter to center it. Kiln Firing GaugeIf your kiln is digital, you probably don't have to worry about this procedure. Digital kilns rarely include a kiln sitter.Many people have never seen a firing gauge, because it is often thrown away, but the gauge is important. If you don’t have one and your kiln has a kiln sitter, you should order a firing gauge. The cost is about $4.75 plus shipping, and your ceramic supplier may have them in stock. A firing gauge usually comes with every new kiln equipped with a kiln sitter. Donot firethe kiln with the gauge on the cone supports, because the gauge would prevent the kiln sitter from shutting off.Use the gauge to adjust the actuating rod after every 20 or so firings. Place the gauge on the cone supports, sliding the actuating rod through the center hole in the gauge.  With the firing gauge in place, swing the weight up against the guide plate. Pull the claw forward, leaving a slight play in the swivel pivot assembly and check for a 1/16th of a inch clearance between the inside tip of the claw and the face of the trigger as shown below. The set screw on top of the claw may be loosened if an adjustment of the claw position is needed. Make sure to tighten the set screw tightly when you are done.  When the weight swings forward, the trigger should just clear the tip of the claw as shown on the left. The set screw in front of the weight can be loosened to raise or lower the trigger which is shown on the right. The set screw must be firmly tightened or the force of repeated falling of the weight may cause the trigger to creep out of adjustment.   Always make sure that your kiln is level, if it isn't it could cause your weight to not fall when it is released and your kiln would not shut off and could cause a fire or major damage to the kiln itself.The firing gauge should be removed now, but kept for future adjustments. The sensing rod is now free to move vertically in the center within the tube cavity without touching the sides at any point as shown in figure 5 an 6.   The sensing rod can be centered by loosening the two guide plate screws in front of the kiln sitter and moving the guide plate right or left as needed and as shown in figure 7. Make sure that the guide plate screws are firmly tightened. When you have made these adjustments, you are ready to test fire your kiln. TEST FIREFiring tests are made with the kiln empty.Two small size cones which melt at a relatively low temperature are provided with the kiln sitter for test firing. If you have gotten a used kiln you can get cones for this purpose from a pottery or ceramic dealer.REMOVE FIRING GAUGEAPPLY KILN WASHMix a high fire kiln wash with water to a creamy solution and apply athincoat to the cone supports and the sensing rod where they will come in contact with the cone. A nail polish bottle and brush is ideal for this. Do not apply kiln wash to the cone or to the end of the porcelain tube. Allow wash to dry thoroughly.Do not let the kiln wash accumulate.Always remove the old kiln wash before adding new.RAISE WEIGHT UP AGAINST GUIDE PLATE
INSERT A FINGER INTO THE HOLE IN THE WEIGHT AND PUSH FIRMLY IN ON THE PLUNGER UNTIL IT LOCKS. FIRE THE KILN BY USING THE REGULAR KILN SWITCHES |
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All About Clay The best way of starting out is to take a few lessons. You will probably waste quite a bit in materials when you first get started. Figuring out how to truly make handmade pottery correctly and shape into what you want it to be can be quite an ordeal. The different tools that a normal shop will have can be fun to try. You will soon see which ones you like to use the most and then when you are ready you will know which ones to buy. With the help of the internet, you can now purchase most if not all of your ceramic and pottery tools and supplies online. We are located far from any well supplied dealers and yet working with reliable ceramic and pottery suppliers online has allowed us to recieve most of our orders within a timely manner. When you get all set up, just enjoy the hobby and have fun at it. Some people get pretty serious and start selling their creations at craft fairs and small stores, but others just like to create items for themselves, relatives, and friends. Whichever kind of handmade pottery you desire to endeavor, enjoy the hobby and have fun doing it.
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