Two sectional piece

Making two sectional long neck vase and pitcher. I threw the bottom part last week, and dried very slowly over the weekend. The bottom part is about 15″ high. I threw a chuck, and dried quickly with the heat gun, and trimmed the bottom. Then I threw a cylinder, about 10″ high. I placed th trimmed bottom part on the Griffin Grip and placed the cylinder on it, and threw it. I usually place a paper towel inside the pot to collect the throwing water, to be safe side as the bottom part is already trimmed (some part maybe is thin). They are about 24″ high now. It will shrink to 21″ or so after the glaze firing.

Electric kiln 4

Bisque firing was completed. So problem was related to the thermocouple.

I hurt my hip, and pay a visit to my chiropractor today. Take easy for next couple days.

Electric kiln 3

I tested elements of the electric kiln last week. I set the kiln to "the fast glaze", and turned on for 30 minutes with the lid open. All elements are lit, so the elements are fine.  I checked the thermocouple, and replaced one in the middle with one in the top, and placed a new thermocouple on the top.  I will bisque tomorrow to see how it works.



I had the glaze fire on Friday, and opened the kiln today.  All looked good, except one piece.  I am very happy.  When I draw the sample at the end of firing, the clay got lots of carbon (gray),  reduced too much. I had some pieces at the front of the kiln had crawling started slightly.  I will place three test pieces at the next firing, and draw them at the different stage of the firing to see when it collecting the carbon.

Skype and..

My sister set up the computer for my parents in Tokyo, and started using the Skype since January. We managed to teach her to use the Skype, but that all, and since my sister has gone home.

I was amazed how technology has progressed. I tried the video conference with them 10-15 years ago, when Apple clone was in the market. It worked, but really the video was  like thumbnail pictures with underwater sounds.  So, we gave up the idea.  Now it is actually the color  video both ways. Amazing. I have not seen my mother close to five years.

Now, we are pleased with the Skype, but my parents do not understand the computer at all.  Message from the google desktop just freaks her up and makes her think it's broken.  I googled "remote access", and found software called "Teamviewer".  It is free for personal use. It took us 2 hours to install the program over the Skype.  It was very difficult to explain where to scroll, and which to click.....  Good thing is we managed to install the Teamviewer and I can maintain her computer in Tokyo from NY.  I can see her computer screen on my monitor, and actually control hers like my computer.  I reinstalled the Google Desktop, and made some changes.

Electric kiln -2

Something was still wrong with the electric kiln. I completed the bisque, but the controller was acting up again, and wound up to fire with one segment.  Further test is needed, once the kiln is unloaded. To be continued.

Electric kiln- L&L JD230

With the help of the L&L technician over the phone, he concluded that my L&L JD230 kiln is fine after the following tests, and the problem was due to the shelf touching the pyrometer.  I will retry the bisque tomorrow.

Here is two tests to check the elements and the replays on the kiln.

First, the elements.  Unplug the cord connecting to the red box from the elements. Check the ohms by inserting the probes of the digital multimeter into each hole of the flat part of the plug tightly.  Mine read around 17 ohm, for each plug.  If element is broken, it does not register the resistance. I bought this kiln with the heavy duty elements option in 2001, and used for bisque cone 07 only.  I bisque roughly 40-50 times a year. So, this have been 400 bisque firing done.  According to the technician, my element will be for good for long time.



Second, relays. Turn on the power, and set the kiln to "fast glaze"mode, and turn on.  Unplug the same plug, and insert the plug into the socket this time, and read the voltage.  I read 235V.  This shows the relay is working fine.  My friend told me that I can get the relays at the Grainger at reasonable price.



There is very good instruction/ trouble shoot articles available at the L&L website.

Three in row

I fired the kiln  on Friday. Another good one. The following picture proves the reason why I was seeking the good firing. They are from three firings. Last year, I was losing 6 to 10 pieces per kiln.  Do the mass. I gained almost 30 pieces.  My friend potter in Japan told me long time ago that the yield should be 95 % to be the production potter. It is very hard figure, but this has been my goal, anyway.



One problem is solved, then another pops up.  My electric kiln showed "ERRD" sign today, and could not complete the bisque firing.  I need to wait the kiln cool-off to see the element problem or something else.  I talked with L&L technician, and he told me he thinks either the element or the relay. This kiln has been problem free for almost ten years.  I replaced the thermocouples two year ago.   I have no complain, and bought the elements last year expecting to fail.

Peregrine falcon

I read an interesting article about the falcons in Rochester on Sunday.  Mariah, a star of the web-cam, placed in the mannmade nesting box at the Kodak tower several years ago, lost the Territorial battle with new comer, Bonnie and Clyde.

Today, I looked up at roof top of the studio, there  is a falcon standing the edge of the roof.  I saw the falcon -like bird chasing the dove the other day.  We have lots of doves on the roof of the building as plenty of grain dropped from the freight cars at the yard.



Pots are all waxed, but I am waiting the snow storm (wind) to settle down a bit.  We had more than foot of heavy back-breaking snow over the weekend. I threw berry bowls instead of glazing today.