I know this will probably generate some differing opinions, but I'm going to buy a kiln with a bead door shortly and wondered which the most popular might be? Or if there are any you thik I should avoid like the plague :-\
Thanks Gay x
Hi Gay
I bought a paragon SC2 with bead door about 2 years ago and I am very happy with it I hardly ever use the bead door as I mostly batch anneal but it is there if I need it
I must say that in hind sight I should have bought a blue bird or similar simply because of the amount of beads I make and I know we are all the same (totally obsessed when it come to making beads LOL) hope this helps
Good Luck Margaret xx
Thanks hun, I already have a hotstart which I bought for fusing, its great for batch annealing but I lose a lot of larger beads in my fire blanket, so thought if I could put them straight in a bead door this would help. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, also wish I'd bought a bluebird from the off, as I hardly ever fuse larger pieces now :-\
I have not got it yet but I am looking at the Prometheus Pro-7 at Tuffnells. It is the same size as the paragon SC2 on the outside but has a slightly larger internal size and it is cheaper.
I currently have the Prometheus Pro-1 which I brought to do Art Clay work and have used for batch annealing and it has been a good kiln which is why I am looking at getting the Pro-7.
Jenny
I would absolutely recommend the maxi
http://www.kilncare.co.uk/kilns_glass_beadannealing_maxiprofessionalkiln.html
especially if you get the pink version - it's just such a cheerful sight :D
I also have a paragon which I bought first (as well as a larger fusing kiln) but tbh the maxi knocks spots off the paragon as a bead annealing kiln as it has been designed absolutely for the task.
Thanks Jenny and Dianne, followed the link and pink is definitely me! Will go to Tuffnells site and check out the promotheus.
Gay x
I guess it would depend on size really - I have an SC2 and love it, when you stack you can get a lot of beads in there!
If I wanted bigger, I'd go for the Maxi!
It also depends what else you might want to do with the kiln, I'm not sure, but I don't think you can fuse in the maxi (correct me if I'm wrong) but you can in the SC2. I just wish Kilncare would make a kiln in betweent the cube and the maxi!
As for the promotheus - I did see one and given the choice, I'd stick with the SC2 as the bead door is much better on the SC2 (IMHO) and for the few £'s difference it's worth it!
I love my Kilncare Maxi, ohhhh yesss ;D
(its true you can't fuse or slump in it though, only goes up to about 650 degrees I think)
Quote from: Lush! on August 19, 2010, 11:05:57 AM
I love my Kilncare Maxi, ohhhh yesss ;D
(its true you can't fuse or slump in it though, only goes up to about 650 degrees I think)
but it's so gorgeous ;D
Fusing with a bead door isn't the best solution anyway as there is always a cooler spot nearer the door so causes uneven fusing. For doing both the caldera is still a good choice though I know many people have reservations about it's design. I am loathe to get rid of my caldera even though I would never use it for beads again as it is great for doing small batches of fusing when I don't want to fill and fire my big kiln.
Thank you ladies, I think I can feel a decision coming on ;D