starting up a studio

Wheehoo! My kiln (Olympic 2327 w/controller) and wheel (shimpo VL whisper) were delivered yesterday and I'm spending my economic stimulus check (and quite a bit more, I suspect) at the local ceramic supply store later this week. My brother and father are going to wire for the kiln next week and set up some plumbing. I've had some classes but really am a beginner, so everything will be very much trial and error for me. Any suggestions? Tips? Words of caution? (other than chucking it and taking up knitting)

Beck

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beck
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Exhaust fan for kiln.

-- Boris

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Boris Mohar

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beck

The fan serves more than just venting the noxious gases though this in itself is important - a closed system can shorten the life of your elements. I would say do a search on clayart for how to make your own venting but I can't get it to work. You can still get a search with the archives at potters.org though - here is an example and speaks to your question.

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are so many odds and ends that would be useful for you to know. For example if you fire your bisque with the shelves upside down from what you use for your glaze firing you will have less warpage over time. Just don't ever switch sides for your glaze firings (always use the kiln washed side up in the glaze firing) or the kiln wash might drop off onto your pots and ruin the glaze. Use a large bucket of water to clean up with so you don't get junk down your drain. You can get free large buckets at a deli, supermarket, bakery, etc. Just ask and be persistent. Play with your scrap pieces of clay to make stamps. Read and search the archives of clayart. Any question you can think of has been asked many times before. You just have to find the right keyword for your search. There are some very good sites out there that have information.
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and
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are must have sites if you get into glazing.

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be afraid to ask here or at clayart. We have all been where you are at one time. Its a grand ride. Enjoy! Donna

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D Kat

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