SO I got to crash last night about 8:30 or so. Just got up here about 3:40. Turned up the kiln.
I'm sort of doing this one blind folded. apparently someone decided they needed my pyrometer more than I do so that is gone(I know, that's the only part I cheat on!).
And further, some real sheet for brains put a PSI gague on the secondary burner control, so that don't work for volume of gas going through. I have no problem guaging temps by color, but where there is yet to get a glow in the kiln, it does make it difficult to figure my temp rise, hence another reason I let it soak for about 20 hours way low.
Another nice thing about the pyrometer is that when I throw it into reduction, I can monitor things and be sure that I'm not actually losing temp as reduction oft times will do that.
In the past though, I carved notches in the valve. Right now I'm just a hair over the second notch. If memory serves me I should reach bisque(close to 2100) by about6:30 AM. Probably run it through 2200-2250 in a very slight reduction. about 2275, begin reduction, soak there for a couple hours than bring it up to maturity(2384F) whit a heavy reduction and lots of Ftlbs of gas. Probably max out at 5.2 lbs. That ought to do the trick<GG>
I'm going to keep notes on things here too.
Right now the flue is still about 1/2 open and I'm in a oxidation atmosphere.
Still a bit tired to start rolling out slabs for a new prtoject. Kinda difficult to give it my all when I have to play dad during times. How can I explain to Mrs. Wonderful that this too is my child and if I neglect it, well, it will become a complete failure.
Some people do not understand how an artist tends to adopt what they are working on as if it is their off spring. In a metaphorical sense, it definitely is my child.
Gonna go warm myself up by the kiln. Heat in the studio is barely 50. Turned some heat on, but seems counter productive as it will begin to get toasty by the kiln in an hour or so. |
