That kind of pottery day

The day started out in a forthright manner--looking forward to trimming and footing about 40 pots, unloading a glaze kiln... I'd noticed that the kiln was taking longer and longer to fire, so I checked the elements and one was burned out. I usually use this as the time to replace them all, so I took them all out and removed the side panels to connect the new ones. I noticed a switch had a wiggily terminal--sign of impending doom for it, and then noticed one of the main wires coming in to the kiln was corroded, meaning a similar fate soon for it. "For once," I thought, "I've caught it before it burns itself out." So I went to the local hardware store to get a replacement range plug, which works for kilns as well. The first sign of trouble was that they were out of the 6 foot long ones, only had 4 foot long ones. I wasn't sure if that was long enough, so I arranged to take one home and try it (I live a block from the hardware, where I'm well known). It looked like it would be tight, but would reach, so I bought it and cut off the plug, since I always hard wire them into the junction box. At this point I realized I'd bought a replacement dryer plug, which is too light duty for an electric kiln. So I went back and bought a range plug. After assembling all other pieces, I put the kiln together and was ready to hook up the cord to the junction box. I'd forgotten how it takes about

6 inches off each end inside the box to make the connections, so it was too short. I finished the pots from yesterday to calm down... Since the local hardware didn't have the longer cord, I drove to the next town, where they did have one, and got it. Next to that hardware is a bakery, so I stopped in, thinking I'd get my family a treat for supper. There were lots of good looking chocolate items there, but my wife swore off chocolate, so I got a raspberry cake. After supper I cut into the cake, to find that the actual cake was chocolate, with just raspberry frosting... It was just that kind of day. So after supper, I go back to my debacle and put the new cord on. I get the kiln wired again, and gingerly put on the breaker to check for shorts, sparks, pops, and other nasty surprises. I got a new surprise--when the kilnsitter was powered up, but the kiln switches themselves were off, one of the elements still was humming away and even glowing red. It seemed to be on the switch I replaced, so I figured I got some of the wires mixed up. What's more, as I tried to turn the switch to see if it would go off, I heard a loud popping sound coming from the switch, meaning it just got fried. So I got inside again, replaced the switch, rechecked the wiring diagram, noticed a couple other wires that had gotten pulled loose in the process, and put it together again. This time it was a different element, on the same switch. I think I'll try again in a couple days... Did I mention it was raining all day? It didn't have anything to do with all these troubles, but it set the proper aura... Brad Sondahl
Reply to
Brad Sondahl
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Much sympathy goes your way. I had that kind of week but I think I would have rather had my week than your day. May the kiln gods look kindly on you soon. Donna

Reply to
dkat

Reply to
Hugh

Oh, yeah - the "one-step-forward-fourteen-steps-backward" thing. I think I was having some sympathy pains yesterday....

I agree with Hugh - Gone Fishin', Gone Golfin', or - whatever......

Good Fires! once you've got it licked.

Lori

Reply to
Lori

What a day!!!! Sometimes ya just wish ya hadn't bothered getting out of bed :o) Reckon you are in for some good luck now. A

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Xtra News

Dear Brad,

What a Bummer!

I'm certain you have the deepest sympathy of the whole group.

Take care.

Steve Bath UK

In article , Brad Sondahl writes

Reply to
Steve Mills

Reply to
Eddie Daughton

So after putting it mostly out of mind for two days, I go back and open the kiln up intent on finding where the current is coming from which is going to the element when it says "off." I used my trusty circuit tester, (which I mostly use to find out which part of a lamp cord should be the neutral). It turns out to be the switch. Since I'd already switched switches (twice, actually), I didn't really think it was the switch. Then the "Ahah" moment. Could the knob be on upside down? Turns out it was, so when it said off, it was really on medium, which for my kiln is one of the two elements burning full on. I'd never encountered this problem before, so until I tried it, I wasn't aware the knob could go two ways. My older kiln had a half moon shape for the stem of the switch to prevent this from happening. Anyway, it's firing, so thanks for the good wishes. Brad

Reply to
Brad Sondahl

Brad,

Congratulations on solving your kiln dilemma. As a retired kiln repairman, I watched your progress with great interest.

I used to get calls from desperate and frustrated potters at about the same stage as when you "spat the dummy", and I would be the one that had the "Ah ha!" moment. For the potter it was the "DOH!!!" moment.

I had a few jobs where the kiln just wouldn't go, and they had checked EVERYTHING ...... except whether the power was switched on. That was a real big "Ah ha" moment - or maybe "ooops!" moment. Still, I didn't mind - I still got paid to turn the switch on for them!!

Cheers

Dave

Reply to
Coggo

Lol makes me remember calling the repairman out to fix my washing machine. The spin just was not working properly. The first thing the repairman noticed was cat prints across the lid, then one right on the button that changed it from fast spin to slow spin. It was a DOH moment and cost $50. LOL

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Xtra News

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