community college | Pincu Pottery

Manabigama – LeVeL

Posted on March 24, 2010 by pincupottery

Well…. Joe Frank did it. Scott helped create a form and Joe Frank poured castable and concrete to level both the firebox and the kiln. It, apparently, is now level and we are ready to begin building up, up and away!

Firebox is now level.

Wooden form will eventually come off and we will begin bricking up the floor of the kiln. The firebox is poured castable on hardbrick. The kiln itself has concrete. The firebrick will go ontop of the concrete. Lets hope this baby lasts and lasts. Personally, I have never poured anything but the keystone of a kiln (and used castable for the exterior). Of course, to be perfectly honest, I have little experience building kilns. I think I have participated in just one true kiln building class where we built a kiln from scratch. So…. I just should keep my mouth shut.

Manabigama in construction - side view

On the right is the firebox (yellow brick = firebrick). The wood frame is still there to hold the concrete/castable. Next week we begin bricking the floor of the kiln!

We will have a wood kiln soon!!!!

I’ll keep you posted.

Manabigama Part 1

Posted on March 19, 2010 by pincupottery

Southwestern Community College, here at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, has begun to build their Manabigama wood kiln!

The shed has been up for some time, but the weather has not cooperated – especially at night when class meets.

Our first hurdle has been met – our slab is not level which means the concrete block that supports the chamber is not level. Our firebox turned out to be off and so the final cap block for the base will not allow for our row 12 brick to create a flush kiln floor.

Britt is cleaning up, others check level and discuss

Before that, we were cruising along with concrete block and firebrick. Goldart and water make the mud to stick the bricks together.

Firebox started for Manabigama kiln

Joe Frank McKee is our captain. Hopefully with him in charge, we will have a beautifully firing kiln that lasts and lasts and lasts. We are hoping to make this a wood/soda kiln.

While some bricked and bricked, Scott began mapping out the arch form. He is a carpenter and so will create the form. He also will help us level the kiln by making forms for pouring concrete. The concrete will level the kiln floor. Softbrick and firebrick will go on top to make the inside kiln floor.

Scott mapping arch form

So far, we have 3 electric kilns, one updraft gas kiln, one raku kiln and 2 test kilns (electric). Not too shabby for a community college!

Classes starting soon!

Posted on September 2, 2009 by pincupottery

The Heritage Arts Institute at Southwestern Community College is about to begin a new set of classes – starting September 14.

I will be teaching a glaze & clay calculation class – all about materials needed to make clay objects. This will truly be an ‘academic’ type class, complete with a required text, “Clay and Glazes for the Potter,” by Daniel Rhodes. I love glaze mixing – it reminds me of cooking, my other love – so this should be a good class.

I will also be teaching the Intermediate Wheel class, History of Ceramics and Low Fire Ceramics. Check my history page for links to ceramic history sites.

Joe Frank McKee will also be teaching. This time, Joe Frank teaches handbuilding! Also on his plate is a Joined Vessels class. That should be a good one.

Doug Hubbs will also be teaching his usual Beginning Potters Wheel.

Don’t miss out! Click on the link to register or find out more about times classes meet, etc.!

Some student work:

Marvine's butter dish

Beth's first teapot