containers as kilns

[stevareno]

Don,
Serg uses uninsulated walls for his kiln chambers.  He doesn't have rust because he's heating the kiln walls which raises the due point thus eliminating corrosion.  He also has excellent ideas for transfering heat without the use of circulation fans.  Although he's drying in a vacuum atmosphere, there is no reason it wouldn't work at 750.062 torr or slightly above.  Imagine having a kiln that required very little investment with a free heat source, free condenser, and no cirulation fans!  Calculate energy cost on that one!  Even if corrosion was a factor, with todays advances in polymer technology one could simply paint the interior with a corrosion resistant polymer or coal tar.  

Steve

[Warren]

Speaking of interior coatings...  The two vans I purchased, one has a plastic or fiberglass panel type interior.  I am assuming this should be O.K. for kiln use.  The second one has a type of plywood lining.  I am assuming the plywood would need some type of coating to seal/preserve it before being used as a kiln chamber.  But, I am not certain what to use.

I've heard of aluminum roof paint.  I've heard of coal tar (tho I don't really know what it is). I would guess that putting another layer of foil based insulation on the inside and taping it might help.

What are the folks currently in operation using ?   And if you had to change, what would you do differently ?

All help appreciated,

Warren

[serg]

  Warren Hi!
1. I put metal for aircraft construction - dearly!
2. I put a board of a pine thickness of 20 mm, I paint a black varnish.
Plywood quickly fails. Examples look under this reference.

< http: // www.vacuums.ru/index.php? id=12 >
Sergey.

[Warren]

For the folks who are actually using vans / containers for drying, What did you use for a base to set the van/container on to keep it level and to keep it from settling "not level" ?

Also, any problem with critters wanting to make their home under the box ?

Warren

[Ga_Boy]

Railroad ties...

[scsmith42]

I also used RR ties, leveling them in advance.

[Tom]

I have a neighbor who has an old railroad box car.  He put it right on the ground.  It's frame is about 2 feet of steel and it leaves a pretty good space beneath.  Yes animals live beneath it.  His solution was to let his dogs have it.  They keep other animals from calling it home.  He has even encouraged them to use it and has a regular insecticide regimen that he follows to keep the ticks and fleas at bay.  He even has several hatches in the floor so that he can access the space easily.

[Warren]

Thanks guys for the responses.  I was thinking RR ties leveled out on lime sand. But wasn't certain if I was trying to over-engineer it....

Warren

[richie47]

asy, hello and apologies for being off the air for so long...work and women, y'know...?

There are several mobs in Bris-vegas who deal in containers if you haven't already got one by now.....about 2k for a 40 footer delivered? not sure about that.

My mob. is 0408 854273 if you want to call me and I'm at Tuckombil behind Ballina.

No too far.    Give me a call and drop by if you want.

Regards,    richie

By the way  thanks to all who posted, esp re insulation ideas.

[TexasTimbers]

Warren,

I'm not using my containers for kilns but just for general storage. I used 16" x 16" x 4" concrete foundation pads and they worked out great.

I got nothin against the ties but for me this was an easier option. I was able to level mine spot-on without any shims but I had cut a bunch of 8 x 8 cedar shims in thicknesses of ¹/₈", ¹/₄", ¹/₂", ³/₄" and 1"for this purpose. Ended up using them on another foundation project.

If you do use concrete pads you have to make sure they are fully supported underneath by dirt, no "hanging" corners, and that they too are level. The weight of the container will crack them if you aren't careful. that's the one drawback I see versus using ties. Ties are more forgiving but I just like the pads. You probably already done it. 

[Warren]

kevjay,

I appreciate the input.  Have not set the vans yet. Currently having fun with the new mill cleaning up all of the stuff I have had sitting around for the past year.  Suddenly, my (small) log yard doesn't look so big / full / overwhelming....

There is a slight pitch to the area where the kilns will sit. I originally put mud control and rock down to build my saw shed there.  But, have since changed my mind.  I will level the area up with lime sand (cheapest material from the quarry), lay the ties and set the vans.  There is a guy in town who sells used rr ties.  Not certain of the price.  But believe it will be cheaper than sawing out my own.

Still scratching my head about the best way to gracefully pull the landing gear and axles out from under the vans and set them on the ties.  BUT, I'll figure something out. That's part of the fun...     

Warren

[Furby]

Prop them up on some 3x3 and shoot them out.
Kidding......... sorta.

[Warren]

Furby,

Once upon a time I might have considered that.         But you know... older...  wiser...    The guy that will do the trucking for me stopped by today.  He thought the 8,000 lb off road forklift should be able to lift/move each end without any significant issues.  Just need to get the lime sand in place to level up.

Warren

[Furby]

Sounds about right.
Worse case, build some cribbing and use hyd. jacks.
Forklift will be easier though.

[scsmith42]

Warren, if you already had a level pad for the container, I would not hesitate to put it directly on a bed of 2" aggregate.  I put RR Ties under mine because they were on a slope.

[Warren]

Nyle DH unit arrived yesterday !  Felt kinda like Christmas. Time to stop sawing and finish leveling the lot.  Pics in a  day or two.