Al's Kiln Repair

It is with exceptional gratitude and some sadness that I am announcing my retirement from kiln repair. Just simply too much between covid and old knees! Thank you all for the years of trust and friendship! For those of you whom I fire work or make glazes, I plan to continue this work.
My sincerest thanks to you all!

Pennsylvania is going to go green really soon. Don't let your guard down! We can do green in a safe way - masks and distancing - and by doing that, stay green and healthy.
During the quarantine, I managed to bang up my left leg so, in spite of green, I'm staying out of action for a few more weeks.
Stay well everyone!!!

Okay Facebook. You've worn me down.

Folks,
According to Facebook, I need approximately a dozen more likes to be eligible for absolutely breakthrough business advice from their mentors. Anything you can do to help me reach this arbitrary goal apparently will translate into busier times for Al's Kiln Repair.
Thanks!

So here we are. Almost 10 weeks in, in Pennsylvania.
It seems like forever but it's not even close. As you can imagine, kiln repair has come to a standstill. Schools are closed. Art centers too. Summer camps probably won't open. And just upfront, I'm not going out to fix any kilns until it's completely safe. However, if you're having kiln problems, if you email me at [email protected], I'll be happy to try to help you solve your kiln issues long distance. No promises, but with all that's going on, we need to help each other as much as possible.

Meanwhile, don't be careless with your or anyone else's health and well-being! Keep washing your hands. Soap kills this virus. Stay home and self-distanced. When you must go out, wear a mask.
It's the selfish coward who ignores what needs to be done in favor of what they want to do at the risk of other people's lives. I know my friends in clay are no cowards, no strangers to doing the hard work, and not unfamiliar with sacrifice. Stay healthy. Keep others healthy. Reach out if you need help.

June is coming! End of school year crunch to get work fired. And then Summer Camp!!! Kilns that haven't been fired in a year and maybe were just hanging on at the end of last summer.

Don't take a chance. Don't just roll the dice.

If you've got a school kiln, make sure, at the least, that your kiln is in good working order for next year!

If you're getting ready for summer camp season, make sure the weak link in your art program isn't your kiln.

Fix the kiln before there's a crisis! Not worrying is way more fun than worrying, or finding out at the worst possible time that you should have worried.

Call or email now to schedule your kiln checkup/repair.

[email protected]

Wow! It's been so long since my last post. Kiln Repair is fun and challenging to do but not so much fun to write about. However I have to say the folks I get to meet and help deserve a big thanks for making the past winter so successful! If you're a school or art center, now's a good time to make sure your kilns are in good working order to meet the spring semester rush! And it's even not too early to think about scheduling a checkup if you're gearing up for summer camp.
Again, thanks to all my great customers!

Yeesh! The snow is on the way here! Did a repair on an Amaco toploading kiln this morning at a school in Linwood, PA. Actually met someone - the teacher who contacted me - who is taller, by a few inches, than me! And I'm 6'4"! Really nice teacher in a really friendly school! New hinges on the kiln and all is well! Made it home well before the storm.
If you're ever in Bethlehem PA, stop by a place called the Banana Factory! On W. 3rd Street, it's am amazing place for 2 and 3D arts and crafts - ceramics, glass, painting, etc classes plus display and an amazing group of people! Bethlehem is a happening place!

Just a reminder to all you teachers out there. Don't wait until your shelves are filled to check how your kiln is working this year. Have a trouble-free year by getting your kiln serviced now!

Argh! Taxes! Done finally..... Back to ordering parts and fixing kilns. On a non-business note, I'm playing with some new ideas (for me at least) mixing wood, metal and clay in some sort of container forms. Have a challenge from a good friend to make honey jars. Thinking of going over the top on this. Will post pictures when it happens. Need a good reliable turquoise crackle raku glaze for a friend. Anyone?

Spring is almost here but it still seems pretty cold! I actually gathered up some old work that I was going to recycle and did a bisque firing just to warm up my workshop! Glaze tests to follow. Put in new thermocouples before firing. Kiln fired like it was new. If you need to get your kiln tuned up or fixed before a busy spring or summer (Camps!!!) now's the time! Don't wait till your deadline is tomorrow! And a little early, happy Springtime!

Before and After...... No biggie but should work a whole lot better for years and years. Makes changing elements easier too!

This kiln has seen better days! (Please....don't use electrical tape as insulation in this situation!) But like a phoenix, it will...... okay, you get the point. They break. I fix. They work.