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McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln

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McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln Empty McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln

Post  mrnarna Thu 5 Jan - 20:27

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McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln Empty re McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln

Post  Jonno Thu 5 Jan - 21:22

Thanks mrmarna,
Knew Benhar , used to stay at Balclutha and Paratai Kaka Point in my youth with Gran. and relations.
If you go to Bricks on the forum and click on James Shears you will see another Hoffman
Kiln this time a round one. They were the more common type apparently.

Curiously according to Monk {Page 15} a Fred Hoffman worked at Crown Lynn and was known as "The King of the Kilns"

regards,
jonno
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McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln Empty Re: McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln

Post  mrnarna Thu 5 Jan - 21:23

im gonna go there and just take heaps of pics of it, its just too gorgeous.

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McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln Empty some of my pics

Post  mrnarna Tue 10 Jan - 18:18

excuse the crappy pix these were taken with my cellphone

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McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln Empty Re: McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln

Post  Ev Tue 10 Jan - 20:23

Those pics are excellent narna .... your cellphone does a good job!!
Excuse me but those archways remind me of firing chambers ...... ?
They can't be surely! So what are the chambers for??? scratch
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McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln Empty re McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln

Post  Jonno Tue 10 Jan - 22:09

Hi Ev,
The chambers are where the green bricks were loaded and then the opening is bricked up until ready for unloading the fired bricks. Remember that these are continuous kilns and are designed to fire 24/7/52 ad infinitum round and round or in the case of the McSkimming along one side then back along the other.
If you go to <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoffmann_kiln>
you will see a sketch of a round Hoffman and some info on how they work.
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McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln Empty Re: McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln

Post  Ev Wed 11 Jan - 16:46

Thanks Jonno, that was a bit of an eye opener, as I didn't realise how the Hoffman kilns were operated ..... non stop .... wet bricks in one hole ..... and fired bricks out when the cycle is finished Shocked
I wonder what temperature they fired those bricks up to?
Think I'd better get Gail Henry out and check out McSkimmings/Benhar again!
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McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln Empty Re: McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln

Post  Jonno Thu 12 Jan - 20:41

Ev,
Building Bricks or commons as they used to be called are generally fired to 1000-1200C
and are "soaked" for about 8 to 10 hours as I recall.

Refractories the bricks used to line commercial kilns and industrial operations using high temperatures are fired as high as 1600C. They need to be fired at a higher temp. than the operation they will be used in to survive for a practical time before replacement.

I was involved a few years ago in some development at Huntly Bricks and their kiln for firing refractories was a large U shape and the arched roof sections would be lifted off by an overhead crane the fired bricks lifted out, a new set lowered in, the section sealed off with fire clay, the oil-fired burners moved along one section and so on and so on. Heat from the firing was used to to dry the new bricks . So similar in principle to the Hoffman but much easier to operate.
Refractories have a very low moisture content as they are dry pressed at I think about 1-2% moisture and are made from very special clay formulas. They are a very essential industrial component where high temperature is part of the process
Hope this helps.



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McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln Empty Went back this time with my DSLR

Post  mrnarna Sat 11 Feb - 17:03

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McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln Empty re McSkimming Hoffman Kiln

Post  Jonno Sun 12 Feb - 8:02

Great Pictures Mrnarna just love that rich terracotta of the bricks, thanks.
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McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln Empty Re: McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln

Post  mrnarna Sun 12 Feb - 8:30

the pleasure was all mine Jonno
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McSkimmimng Hoffman Kiln Empty New link to McSkimmings kiln info

Post  Maryr Mon 9 Jun - 9:56

It looks as though Historic Places have changed the link to the info about the big kiln at Benhar. Scroll down to "Summary" and click on that and a whole lot of info pops up.  
We visited this site a few years ago. It is well worth a look and like so many other glorious industrial relics it should be preserved.
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Last edited by Maryr on Mon 9 Jun - 9:58; edited 2 times in total (Reason for editing : Clarify)
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