Cracked kiln shelf

[Neon-Cat]

Oh wise ones, why would my newly bought kiln shelf crack?
I treated it well and it only went to cone 010 two times before the second time did it in. No weight on it to speak of (it is a tiny kiln, 15" rounds); dry, with long, slow firings.

My original three that came with the Paragon kiln are still going strong and they have not been pampered at all -- on the contrary. They've gone to cone 10 and in between, been melted upon, chipped at, ground, used as work tables, rolled around by curious cats, etc.

Should I complain to the retailer? Thirty-seven bucks is thirty-seven bucks for a poor gal like me.

Thanks,
Marian

[masta...@gmail.com]

Yes ask for refund or new one defect! I got new one and 25lbs clay. Mary
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[Paul Herman]

Hi Marian,

I would certainly complain if a shelf failed on the second cone 010
firing.

I'm wondering what brand of shelf you have there, though you can
certainly keep it unknown for us if you want. One brand that has been
having trouble over some years is Thorley shelves, which are now
manufactured by Laguna Clay. When they first took over the company
(Thorley), there were many reports of cracking shelves. Prior to
Laguna's acquisition of the company, Thorley enjoyed a good
reputation, and I use some of the old shelves in our wood firings.
They perform just fine.

I'm unsure if Laguna has worked out the problem of cracking in Thorley
shelves. Anyone know?

Is that the brand you have, that cracked?

good firings,

Paul Herman

Great Basin Pottery
Doyle, California US
www.greatbasinpottery.com/

[Neon-Cat]

Thanks, Paul, and Mary (masta...@gmail.com) and Bill M. who wrote me off-list -- that was easy, I called Pat at American Ceramics here in Fort Worth who said to bring the shelf back and she'd have Paragon replace it for me.

Paul, this is just a shelf like the three that came with my small Paragon kiln. As I recall they are cordierite shelves. The three originals have done great for me.

So, that's that. I just didn't know if I should suck it up or what. I am not much of a consumer and hate hassles. This was hassle-free, so all is well.

Marian

--- On Wed, 7/13/11, Paul Herman <potte...@frontiernet.net> wrote:

[James and Sherron Bowen]

Good for you and American Ceramics in Fort Worth.
JB

[clay pots]

Hey everyone-Just wanted to let you know that progress is slow but steady
here in N. Ca summer of building 4 chamber climbing kiln. If there are any
kindred souls that want to come and partake in building this please contact
me. It is going up and looking good.
Will take some pics and submit later.
all the best,
Craig

[claylady86]

Hi Marian,

Seems that this is an old post, but I decided to poke my nose in. If
the shelf is a complete round, those are more likely to break than two
half shelves of the same dimensions in my experience and research.
Hope you got it replaced. Bonnie

[Neon-Cat]

Ya had to ask, Bonnie.
The week of the post I got ready to go take the shelf back one fine morning, got to looking at some weird insect on the Mexican Firebush on the way to the car, set the shelf down for a bit, then when I picked it up I thought something bit my arm, I dropped the shelf, it rolled perfectly down my lumpy driveway out into the street, got stuck by a passing UPS truck, ricocheted into the neighbor's tire rim across the street, leapt into the air then hit the pavement and shattered into an amazing number of kiln shelf shards. I just stood there transfixed as if all this were happening in slow motion. Then I looked around hoping no one had witnessed this insanity. I got major pieces into a bag, then the trash. I just could not take Pat (the retailer) a gazillion pieces with a straight face -- too much to explain. And what would Paragon have thought?

People hate my drive. It is just two long, uneven strips of cement with grass between. Even I cannot get down it without appearing totally wasted -- it drives cars and trucks crooked on their way. So, for that darned shelf to have rolled perfectly (and very quickly) down it into the street was rather amazing.
I wrote it off.

OK, now I am coffee-ed up to bathe kittens. They have been more lively to the sounds of Element ("The Crow", "Outside World", "Just Dream") than Infected Mushroom, although they did start getting jazzed to those sounds. They are not all quite into kitty self-grooming due to their young age and need to be fresher-looking for their afternoon photo-op.

I have one half shelf. Don't much use it. Those inch wide kiln supports just seem so ... something. They are not unstable, I just don't quite trust them yet. With half shelves there would be more of them. It is interesting you found the halves more durable. What an interesting thought. Why would that be??

Marian

--- On Sun, 8/28/11, claylady86 <bsta...@chartermi.net> wrote: