Building the Arch Form

This Friday morning we had a visit from Anthony Wolking, Cincinnati potter and instructor  most recently at Xavier University. Anthony made several good suggestions, especially on firebox and chimney design.

This is the arch form for the #2 hard brick arch. I drew a baseline on a large piece of paper, measured the length of the firebox when facing the loading door. I then found the center of that line knowing that that would be the high point of the arch. I then arranged my bricks in an arch and drew a line underneath with a marker.
Remember to allow for the thickness of material covering the form. This form will still need a center support.

With the arch form in place its time to start tacking the steel in place. That old Lincoln buzz box is an antique like me.

Compact oil fired kiln plan

H.Norsker "Refractories and Kilns"

This is a nice compact design for an oil fired kiln that has approximately one cubic meter of interior space.  Norsker observed this kiln while on a trip to Africa. He called it a good kiln for 1 or 2 potters. A simple kiln, needing little or no bracing. Tall chimney probably indicates step plate or some other unpowered burners were used. Fireboxes could be easily extended as needed. Note that the entire kiln is on one level.