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How to secure bricks in a kiln. (“Pin Bricks”)
As kilns get older over time and after many firing, your bricks may start to get a little loose. Over time bricks do shrink slightly and may need to be pinned back into place, or it may be due to damage etc. Some manufacturers recommend the use of kiln cement for repairs, and while many of these products are good and will work, over time bricks will move/shrink and the cement may work itself loose and you could end up having this on you products, especially if applied to the roof of your kiln.
Steps for pinning bricks:
- Ensure your kiln is switched OFF.
- First ensure you have some brick pins. Brick pin are made from element wire (anything from 2.4mm to 3mm in thickness), and are cut into lengths of +/- 100mm. Never use normal wire as this will melt!
- Reposition your brick back in place or, if it is a replacement brick, position where you would like it. Ensure that the bricks fit snuggly into each other. The tighter the fit the better.
- The aim of pinning bricks is to get a good hold into the surrounding bricks.
- Using some thin nose pilers, hold the pin and push it into the brick at a 45 Deg angle (note: insolation bricks are soft and no excessive force is required). The intention is to have the pin flush with the brick. NB – Ensure when you are pinning near an element do not let the pin touch the element or the outer casing (normally metal sheeting) of the kiln, the reason for this is you do not want to create an earth leakage that could trip your fuse breaker. NB – your elements carry electricity.