The Kilns

The Kilns
Manabigama II
The construction of the new model of the Manabigama II Kiln has begun at Monocacy Pottery. This new model is a bit larger and built precisely to the architectural drawings that are now for sale. Architectural kiln drawings by Stan Burgess (Baltimore, Maryland). Kiln design and construction was done cooperatively by Stan Burgess, Bill van Gilder (Gapland, Maryland), and John Thies (Thurmont, Maryland). With this new kiln there will be two Manabigamas available for student work.
Bruce Bowers Workshop July 11 - 12, 2008
*Bruce Bowers and his happy crew after unloading the Manabigama - Click for larger view*

Kiln Building Workshop July 17 - 20, 2008
Bill van Gilder and John Thies building the Manabigama with participants as a workshop for Glen Echo Pottery School (Held on a beautiful grape vineyard in Delaplane, VA) - Click for larger view	Dear Friends, The kiln is done! We had an excellent kiln-building workshop led by Bill van Gilder and John Thies. It was well-attended, well taught, and the kiln was built efficiently and in a good spirit. I’m sending a couple of photos to give you an idea of how great it looks. Now that construction is done, we are all anxious to get firing. John and Bill have graciously agreed to conduct the first firing so that we can get the full benefit of their knowledge and experience. I’m so pleased that the kiln building has gone so smoothly. Many thanks to all the volunteers and especially to Bill, John and Charlie our expert mason. Now, lets get some great pots done! *―Bill Kruvant* Dear Kruvants, Thanks very much for the usual fine Kruvant hospitality. The good lunch, the cold water and especially those little popsicle thingies. They were a lifesaver in that 90-plus degree heat. I went home exhausted, sweaty, dirty and happy. Who knew slave labor could be so much fun? It was a great experience, thanks to John and Bill and Charlie. I was bowled over by the craftsmanship, intensity and precision of those guys. Thanks boodles. ―Kay Kay, You said it so much better than I could. What a great experience and one that we'll never forget. And it will get even better! Thanks to everyone who made it happen and made it fun, too! *―Nikki and Vince*

Visitors Workshop June 27 - 29, 2008
*Visitors from all over the US and Canada came to fire the Manabigama II - Click for larger view*	*Loading the kiln during the Visitor Workshop - Click for larger view*	*Stoking the kiln with Bill, John and Mary from Illinois - Click for larger view*

Unloading the kiln at the Visitor Workshop - Click for larger view	*Michelle from Canada and Chuck from Arrowmont School of Craft, Tennessee, looking over some of the finished ware at the Visitor Workshop - Click for larger view*	*Bottle by Bill van Gilder fired on it's side for 8 hours in the Manabigama II at the Visitor Workshop - Click for larger view*

*Bill van Gilder and John Thies looking over finished pot's at the Visitor Workshop - Click for larger view*	*A few finished pot's from the Visitor Workshop firing- Click for larger view*	Thanks to Debb for all the photos from the Visitors Workshop!

Manabigama II Kiln
*Stoking the Manabigama II - Click for larger view*	Kiln with stucco complete and being fired - Click for larger view	First firing ready to be unloaded - Click for larger view
Finished pot from the new Manabigama II - Click for larger view	Finished pots from the new Manabigama II - Click for larger view	*Finished pot from the new Manabigama II - Click for larger view*
Finished pot from the new Manabigama II - Click for larger view	Finished pots from the new Manabigama II - Click for larger view	Finished pots from the new Manabigama II - Click for larger view
Finished pots from the new Manabigama II - Click for larger view	Finished pots from the new Manabigama II - Click for larger view	Finished pots from the new Manabigama II - Click for larger view
Finished pots from the new Manabigama II - Click for larger view	Finished pots from the new Manabigama II - Click for larger view	Finished pots from the new Manabigama II - Click for larger view

3-Chamber Wood Kiln
I have been building and firing wood kilns for over 30 years now. Most all of the kilns I have worked with and built have been direct designs taken from the chamber kilns used historically around the world. My present kiln, shown here, is a three chamber kiln in the traditional Noborigama style (meaning climbing chamber kiln). The kiln is three hundred cubic foot cross draft, and is fired seven times a year for my personal work and also for group rental workshops. Two of the chambers are used for glaze work and one used for salt glazing.	*Monocacy Pottery 3-Chamber Wood Kiln - Click for larger view*

Manabigama Wood Kiln
The new kiln named Manabigama is a traditional design with a few simple modifications. The chamber is approximately 24 cubic feet of stacking space. This kiln is presently being used for teaching wood firing - see Workshops for additional details. Kiln loaded and ready to fire - Click for larger view	John Stokes the Manabigama Wood Kiln - Click for larger view	*Monocacy Pottery Manabigama Wood Kiln - Click for larger view*

*Manabigama participants piece*	*John Thies unglazed porcelain bottles fired in the Manabigama - Click for larger view*	*John Thies unglazed porcelain bottles fired in the Manabigama - Click for larger view*
*Manabigama Kiln Unloaded - Click for Larger View*	*Manabigama Kiln Unloaded - Click for Larger View*	*Wood Firing Participants Piece from the Manabigama - Click for Larger View*

Manabigama Kiln plans for SALE!

Plans will include complete architectural drawings (scaled to brick size) for kiln and complete materials list. Photo CD journal of construction included.

Complete Manabigama Kiln Plans: $250

For more information please email: monocacypottery@comcast.net

Manabigama Kiln Firing

Thanks to all who participated
in the Visitors Workshop!
June 27 - 29, 2008

Bill and I would like to thank all of you for making the trip here and participating in this workshop.

We feel it went smoothly, and very productive. Hopefully everyone can say they learned something new during the 3 days.

We both enjoyed your company throughout, and it was nice getting to know everyone a little bit.

Remember that we “The Flaming Geeks” will always be there for you if ever you should need us for anything pertaining to wood firing.

Just e-mail or call anytime. It was a good time for us!! Thanks again and keep makin em!

― Bill and John

Here are a few of the comments we received from participants in the Visitors Workshop...

John and Bill and everyone!!

What can I say that hasn't been said?? It was difficult to leave!! John - your studio, your home, your kilns, your property and your State are beautiful!! The 10 hour drive home gave Rob and I lots of time to reflect on what we learned and to create a plan. By the end of the trip we decided that we will be building this kiln together in the fall of 2009!! We are going to my brother's this weekend to scout out the perfect location.

The whole 3 days was perfect from start to finish. I learned so much. Thank you to everyone for being so generous with your woodfire experiences and knowledge.

I know I will have LOTS of woodfire questions so I will be in touch with the "Flaming Geeks" often.

Thanks so much John and Bill.

―Michelle

Hey from North Carolina. We (me and Jerry) had such a great time making new pottery friends. I so enjoyed this great experience with clay & fire! I'm so full of anticipation for the future, I can hardly contain myself. I'm ready to go out today to search the area for property to build my new kiln on, but of course that is "crazy talk!"

Thank you John and Bill for sharing your wealth of experience with us! Good luck to you both as you continue sharing this Manabigama II kiln and firing process! John, thank you for opening your home and studio! Loved that posh outhouse!

I will be sending out the disk or disks (not sure how many it will take yet) soon. I will let you all know when I'm sending so you can watch for the postman to deliver!

If you are ever through the Piedmont area of NC, call me! I look forward to seeing you. We are only a few miles off Bus-40 and I-40.

Thanks again! Stay in touch!

―Debb

Thank you, thank you for a great weekend! The Manabigama kiln is everything and more than you described! I plan to write a letter to the editor for both Ceramics Monthly and the Log Book on what an amazing kiln this is. I think this type of "guest" workshop will become in high demand. I hope you found your first group as pleasant to work with as I found as a participant. All serious about the process and the results and no prima donnas.

Thank you for the opportunity. When I decide where I'm building the kiln (and whether to move where I live) I will be contacting you for the class/construction. Best to you both.

―Dian

In an email sent to Ceramics Monthly...

I contacted Bill van Gilder right after reading in Sept 2007 about the Manabigama, that fires in 8 hours with half a cord of wood. All my wood fire friends were skeptics to say the least, but when van Gilder and John Thies finally offered a "guest workshop" to test their "new and improved" design, I jumped on it. There were six of us from throughout the US and Canada, loading over 150 bisqued pots on Friday, firing Saturday from 6am - hit cone 12 at 10am, opened passive dampers at 11am, and finished firing at 3pm, and closed the kiln. It was all that was advertised and more. The ash was there - beautiful flashing, half a cord of oak, and great design that included a light weight, easy to move, door to the firebox at waist height, with wood stacked on a table to the right so no bending. Easy to load, van Gilder at well over six feet, designed it so that you don't have to bend like a pretzel to load. We all left excited and sold on the Manabigama. It is really amazing and in these days of diminishing resources - half a cord is a dream. Check it out, www.monocacypottery.com (John Thies website).

―Dian

John,

Thanks for everything. We had a blast and enjoyed your company, support and expertise.

―Mike
Bruce Bowers Workshop
July 11 - 12, 2008

The Kilns

Manabigama II

3-Chamber Wood Kiln

Manabigama Wood Kiln