The Laboratory for Traditional Technology has a large set of technical equipment which includes:
This page is a final project created by Brandy Gravett (2013 Class; Anthropology and Classics major), as part of her requirements for the Teaching Teams Program (LASC 397a), a preceptorship in association with Profs. Eleni Hasaki's ANTH/ARH/CLAS 340A class (Introduction to Classical Art and Archaeology). Profs Killick and Triadan assisted her with the descriptions of the equipment.
- Bailey Pottery Wheel (Electric)
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A wheel in which the operator uses an electrical motor and pedal to control the speed of the wheel head used to create pottery. |
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Manual |
- Klopfenstein Pottery Wheel (Treadle-wheel)
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A wheel in which the operator uses a treadle pedal and centrifugal force to rotate the wheel head to create pottery.
No manual available at this time |
- Custom Pottery Wheel (Hand-wheel)
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Modeled after Ancient Greek images and created by students.
A wheel in which one operator turns the wheel head by hand while another individual creates pottery. |
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No manual available at this time |
- Paragon Small Electric Kiln - Model A-119B-3
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A thermally insulated chamber (oven) that produces temperatures sufficient to fire clay into ceramic pieces.
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- Paragon Medium Electric Kiln - Model A-66B-3
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A thermally insulated chamber (oven) that produces temperatures sufficient to fire clay into ceramic pieces.
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- Paragon Large Electric Kiln- Model S-82
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A thermally insulated chamber (oven) that produces temperatures sufficient to fire clay into ceramic pieces.
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- Orton Conputer Model 28
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An intelligent digital control system used to monitor specific temperatures within a kiln.
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- Orton Coneputer Model 29
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An intelligent digital control system used to monitor specific temperatures within a kiln.
No manual available at this time |
- Neycraft Oven
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A small kiln used to fire small ceramic objects. |
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Manual |
- Stabil Therm Cabinet
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A small kiln used to fire small ceramic objects. |
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Manual |
- Lab Line Oven
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A small kiln used to fire small ceramic objects. |
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- Buehler Automet 3 / Ecomet3 Grinder/Polisher
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Automatic grinding and polishing system used to prepare mostly metal samples. Holders suspended from the top press samples against the lower plate which gradually use diamond polishing compounds that are finer and finer until the finish of the metal is mirror smooth.
To be used only with permission from Dr. Killick, who will provide training in their operation. |
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Automet 3 |
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Ecomet 3 |
- Buehler Petropol Polisher
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This device is used for the making of petrographic thin sections. Samples are placed in holders suspended from the upper portion and are pressed down onto a plate used in conjunction with an abrasive slurry from diamond paste that ranges from 45 microns to ¼ microns. This process allows small samples of pottery and stone are mounted on glass slides and eventually polished down to the point of being transparent to be looked at under a microscope. |
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To be used only with permission from Dr. Killick, who will provide training in their operation. |
- Buehler Vibromet
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Used for sole purpose of finely polishing soft metals such as copper and tin. As it is difficult to polish soft metals, these samples are mounted onto small plates and placed face down onto the polishing plate. The vibration of the machine in conjunction with the polishing slurry causes the samples to move about the perimeter and slowly polish down to a fine surface. This device is used after the Ecomet3. |
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To be used only with permission from Dr. Killick, who will provide training in their operation. |
- Olympus Stereo Microscope
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A microscope used to analyze samples. |
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Manual |
- Olympus Metallurgical Microscope
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A microscope used to analyze samples. |
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Manual |
- Heat Gun
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An electric instrument used to dry samples with the use of forced hot air. |
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No manual available at this time |
- Bench Vice
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A device for gripping other objects between two plates moved by rack and pinion crank. |
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No manual available at this time |
- Ingresoll-Rand Grinder
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A machine used for grinding metal and wood if needed. It also assists in the sharpening of tools.
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- Small Tile Saw
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A wet saw used to cut tile, stone, porcelain and similar materials. The use of water when operating this saw is important in cooling the material that is being cut. |
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No manual available at this time |
- Large Tile Saw
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A wet saw with a larger blade.
No manual available at this time |
- Fritch Vibratory Shaker
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Used in conjunction with the sifting trays to mechanically filter samples. Trays are strapped down to the device and both intensity and duration can be programed. |
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Manual |
- Mettler H10T Chamber Scale
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Electronic chamber scale used for precise weight measurements of samples. |
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Manual |
- Mettler PC 16 Scale
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Electronic scale used for weight measurements of samples. |
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Manual |
- Mettler AC100 Scale
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Electronic chamber scale used for precise weight measurements of samples. |
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Manual |
- Scale
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Small, non-electrical scale which uses grams for measurement. Used for quick, less precise, weights of items.
No manual available at this time |
- Dillon Universal Tester - Model LW
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A machine is used to test the tensile strength of material; stone, porcelain etc. It produces the pounds or kilograms of pressure used to measure the failure rate of a material.
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