I can imagine someone asked this question before, but i did not find where, sorry for that.
I just received my Bluebird kiln and am a bit afraid to start with it. So, my questions are :
- Do i have to run a "blank firing" the first time ? and how long ?
- do i have to use some paper or shelf primer to prepare my shelf, so the glass doesn't stick ? i just want to anneal my lampwork beads.
- do someone have the great idea to write a summary about how to use the Bluebird for the first time, (as i speak a poor english) and the instructions which came with the kiln are a bit hard. Especially concerning the Sentry XPress.
Thanks in advance for your kindness. :-*
Hi Nalla
It's usual to always run a kiln the first time, empty, usually just a standard cycle to the temperature you'd be running out - but it won't need a long hold or anything (this burns of any residue that might be on the bricks/fibre, so it might be a bit smelly, but don't worry).
Even though you're only annealing, so your beads shouldn't stick, I think most people coat their shelves but I am not sure as I am not a beader - but I would, just in case the kiln ever did overshoot and melt some glass - at least you won't ruin the shelf that way. I am sure a beader will come along soon with more info.
This is a beginners thread within lampworking tips and tricks:
http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=61.0 (http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=61.0)
And this kiln doctor thread usually has loads of information - is the sentry express common to all Paragon kilns? In which case, look for anything that mentions firing schedules in an SC2 too.
You can also search the board for previous posts, using the search box in the top right of your screen.
HTH
Edited to add - sorry I can't help more, I'm a fusing gal!
Hi!
Yes, definiely run it up to temperature (520 degrees C) without anything in - it will smell a bit, but don't worry!
I haven't bothered with kiln wash because if you are annealing beads, the kiln shouldn't get hot enough to melt the glass even if it overheats, because the overheat alarm goes off quite quickly (I think it is about 50 degrees over the temperature you programmed).
You have 2 choices of how to use the kiln:
1) make all your beads, let them cool in a fibre blanket or vermiculite, then put them all into the kiln at once to anneal them from cold. This is called batch annealing. The beads can stay on the mandrels, or else take them off and stack them up on the floor of the kiln or in a metal dish or thread them onto one or two short mandrels and prop the mandrels up on stilts inside the kiln. You need to programme the kiln to heat up slowly (150 degrees per hour) until you get to 520 degrees. Then "hold" the temperature for 30 minutes to an hour (the larger your beads the longer you should hold them at this temperature). Then cool the kiln down slowly (80 degrees per hour) until you reach 370 degrees. After that you can get the kiln to switch off (type 0000).
2) put the beads on their mandrels into the kiln as soon as you have made them. This is called garaging. You programme the kiln to heat up to 500 degrees at full speed. Then you "hold" the temperature for however long you will spend (I use 7 hours, just in case of a long session!). Then heat at full speed up to 520 degrees, hold for 30 min - 1 hour and cool down slowly to 370 degrees as above. Start the kiln programme when you start making the beads and when you have finished you can "fast forward" to the annealing bit of the programme by pressing the up arrow until SStP appears on the display. Then press Start and the kiln will jump to the next stage (heating up to 520)
HTH!
Thank you so much Dawn and Cath for your answers, you are my guardian angels. May i just ask a last question ? How long for the first run up, without anything in ?
On a first firing, I would leave out the bung so that any fumes can escape but if anyone knows differently please correct my post. As I presume you bought the kiln new, have a look for a recommended annealing schedule in the manual. I found when I bought my kiln, an SC2, there were instructions for programming the kiln and an annealing schedule for beads in the manuals that came with them.
Some great advice people, my job offers are in the post ;D