i lost the knob to my kiln... help?

[GlassFreak]

so i guess while moving my gear out of my buddies basement, the knob for my kiln came off and its nowere to be found. i dont have a controller or anything so i really dont know what to do.

is there any way someone with this type of kiln might be able to take a picture of it set to 7 and take the knob off so i can see the positioning of the rod it goes on? other than findind someone with an extra knob i dont know what else to do...

would a controller make it so you wouldnt even use the knob on the kiln? cuz i somehow need to get my hands on one of those anyway, but im so broke it wont happen for a long time no matter what.

[GlassFreak]

oh shit sorry forgot to say what kind of kiln.

its an Aim kiln, 10 cone, 120volt, 14 amp

one of those 4 tier firebrick ones.

[HOSS]

would a controller make it so you wouldnt even use the knob on the kiln? cuz i somehow need to get my hands on one of those anyway, but im so broke it wont happen for a long time no matter what.

I THINK with most plug in controllers you just leave the kiln set on high, and the controller turns it on and off to control the temp.

If you have a pyrometer, I would think you could just turn the kiln up a little at a time until it reads steady at 1050, then mark that spot where the knob used to be. You can replace the knob with one from just about anything, should be easy to find one that fits, you just need to be able to calibrate its markings to the actual temp of the kiln.

[ALIEN!]

CALL TOLL FREE (USA & CANADA) 800-AIM KILN (246-5456) FOR FREE BROCHURE...or e-mail: aimkilns@yahoo.com

Phone (775) 267-2607 FAX (775) 267-2002

[Pogo]

That's perfect!!! I lost the kiln to my knob!!!!!! why don't you just ship your part down to....

sideshow
420 safety ln,
south, Tx. 00420

j/k... :)

[Greymatter Glass]

The infinite switch control is a standard part, you can get the knobs from any local ceramics store that sells kilns. The post style varies from vendor to vendor, some are half-round keyed, others are split keyed.. make sure you get the right style. Local Paragon replacements here are like $5-6

Or I'd be willing to bet Aim will comp you one if you're cool with them. But you'd have to wait for shipping of course.


-Doug

[sunray]

Yes my suggestion too call AIM they'll send you one and your kiln won't look funky
and you'll get the one that fits...

[The Madhatter]

That's perfect!!! I lost the kiln to my knob!!!!!! why don't you just ship your part down to....

sideshow
420 safety ln,
south, Tx. 00420

j/k... :)

hahahhahahah!:rollin

[GlassFreak]

thanks all, ill have to give aim a call or something.

my pyrometer shat out for no reason about 5 months ago, so idk i guess ill just have to use the stringer in the kiln tech till i figure something out.

[Greymatter Glass]

If your thermocouple is still good a digital pyrometer is easy to build for about $5-10. All you need is a cheap digital multimeter. If it supports a K type thermocouple you're set, if not you need a chart to convert from millivolts to degrees.... I have one somewhere I can post up later.

[GlassFreak]

If your thermocouple is still good a digital pyrometer is easy to build for about $5-10. All you need is a cheap digital multimeter. If it supports a K type thermocouple you're set, if not you need a chart to convert from millivolts to degrees.... I have one somewhere I can post up later.

that would help so much thank you. were would i get the multimeter?

[dew]

awhile back when i first got my aim kiln, the pyrometer just stopped working for me after moving it once. couldnt figure out why, but then i moved it again and it started working again and has been since (3-4 years now). i think that something must have been kinda loose and moved back into place after moving it around. maybe the same thing happened to you? funny you say you lost the knob to it too cuz during my last move i thought i lost mine too, then i found it on the floor nearby. well, hope you get your kiln back to the way its supposed to be soon!

[GlassFreak]

did i meantion i bought the kiln and 2 pyrometers from a crackhead? lol... for 50$... thats what i get for tryin to save money... shits fallin apart and just shittin out for no reason...

[smutboy420]

did i meantion i bought the kiln and 2 pyrometers from a crackhead? lol... for 50$... thats what i get for tryin to save money... shits fallin apart and just shittin out for no reason... none of the pyros worked out of 2 ??

I think I know tho what you are looking for now as far as the knobs position and how to turn the post to get to different points on the dial.

IF its a normal aim infinite switch it should bea D shaped hole in the knob tho the post its self may have 2 flat spots in stead of 1.
when lined up so you have one of the flats at 12 o'clock and the other at O'Clock. You are either off or on setting 5 witch is 1/5 way around the dial.
if on off it will click in to that position as well as one low and hi one click either direction from off. if on 5 it can turn freely both directions. So finding the off position is not to hard.

I took a pic of a knob for you so once you find off at 12 O'Clock. you at least will know were you are at around the dial.
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i50/smutboy420/knob.jpg

A multi meter can be had at radioshack, home depot,lowels,ebay hardware stores. etc.

[GlassFreak]

thanks smutboy, that link didnt work tho.

its got the D shape, just one flat side

[NUBBLET]

check the wires on the pyros , i had mine go out when moving , it ended up being a loose wire , just tighten it down and its good now . Mine has screw type things to hold the wires in place , both at the thermal couple and at the gauge .

[GlassFreak]

check the wires on the pyros , i had mine go out when moving , it ended up being a loose wire , just tighten it down and its good now . Mine has screw type things to hold the wires in place , both at the thermal couple and at the gauge .

one of the pyros i got was beyond anything i could do, it looked like it had been torn apart. the other one just needed a thermocouple, which i bought and it worked good. ive done everything i could think of to try to fix it, nothing works.

[GlassFreak]

well i guess a digital controller just kinda fell into my lap via kickass people on the forum.

i dont really know if it will work with my kiln tho. i have an Aim AW9/4, 120v, 14amp. and the controller is 220V/50-60 Hz... and wouldnt it need a 220 pluggin?

[smutboy420]

Ok fixed that pic link . if only one flat spot the flat spot at 6 oclock should be off and if at 12 should be 1/2 way.

Check that other post about the controller you have I just posted to that thread a few mins ago.

[GlassFreak]

sweet man with the pic at leat i can have somewhat of an idea for now, thanks alot man.