Step 2--Cutting Fiber

For my Raku Kiln I purchased 1 roll of KaoWool off of eBay--Real Cheap. It is 1 inch by 24 inches by 25 feet. This is more than enough for the project. The main piece for the kiln measured 5 feet in length and I cut 2 circles for the bottom of the can and one circle for the lid.
Working with this fiber is hazardous to your health. Make dang sure you wear a respirator when working with it. I also found that a thin pair of garden gloves helps as well. The stuff is itchy and irritable, just like fiberglass. I started cutting the fiber with scissors but found that a sharp utility knive worked much much better. The carpenter's square was not necessary but looks good in the photo.

Raku Kiln Building for Dummies

The first step in making a fiber-lined garbage can raku kiln is obtaining a garbage can. I bought a new one at our local hardware store. It is a 31 gallon galvanized garbage can that cost $10.99.
This size can seems like a good choice because it is 26 inches deep on the inside, which makes installing the ceramic fiber a bit more easier.
The only tools needed for the first step is a drill, tin shears, a rounded edged file, and of course safety glasses.
Cut out a 5 inch circle out of a piece of cardboard as a template for the burner port and the flue. Using the template and a magic marker, draw a circle 3 inches above the bottom of the garbage can.
Next, put on your safety glasses and drill a hole on the marked circle. This is a starter hole to get the tin shears into. Tin shears cut through the garbage can really easy. Just cut out your marked circle.
I used the rounded edged file to file down any sharp jagged edges.
This first step took about 15 minutes to complete.