the SFSU studio

documents

• hot-shop code of safe practices (John Leighton)

processes

Guide to charging the furnaces (this will keep us on roughly a 24 hour schedule):

• During the week, the charge can start in the afternoon between 12 noon and 3pm. Start earlier on the weekends.
• Turn up the furnace to 2250° (top black mark).
• Once it's heated up (about 45 minutes), charge 2 bags and keep at 2250°.
• To charge: turn the air down to the low black mark; put on a respirator; load the bag(s) into the metal chute; slide them - quickly - into the pot; turn the air back up to the top mark.
• When the mound is about 2 or 3 inches high (30 minutes to an hour), charge 3 more bags.
• Keep at 2250° until the mound is 2 or 3 inches high again (roughly an hour).
• Top off with 3 more bags or top off and keep at 2250° for another hour or so.
• Rake flat and turn up to 2350°.
• Leave at 2350° overnight to cook.
• First thing in the morning turn the furnace down to 1900° to squeeze for 6 hours.
• Check for seed in the afternoon; if all is good turn up to blowing temperature (~2100°).

Notes:

• do not let the furnace get above 2400°!

 

2009.08.09 #1 furnace rebuild