I have a paragon kiln and have been doing batch annealing for the past 6 months but lately I have been losing a few through cracking, mainly the bigger or irregular shaped beads.
I need to know the temperatures for the kiln to be at while I make my beads, before I skip to the annealing temp.
I have read on the forum that you set the temp to hold the kiln at 500 while you make the beads, then increase to 520 for 60 mins. to anneal.
I am confused because my instruction booklet gives a recommended temp of 1000F/537C for the holding temp while you make your beads?
What is the correct temperature? I am confused :-[
It varies because kilns vary slightly and preferences vary too. I 'garage' at 510, then after I put in the last bead, leave it alone for 20 mins or more if a large bead, then 'skip' to the next segment which is ramping down. I don't put the temp up from garaging, I found higher temps spoiled colours and effects and I got more impressions from the kiln floor (I don't use a kiln rack). But that's just my kiln, try yours and see how you go. 537 sounds high to me.
modified to say - I'm such a blooming liar! Whatever made me say I garage at 510 I don't know, probably tired or something, very sorry - I actually garage at 525, after finding higher temps were too much.. very sorry if I have caused any confusion.. back to sleep now old girl..
Oh, unless they have changed the booklet, it will imply you should ramp up on full.. I wouldn't, choose a lower temp than full as it is likely to overshoot past the target temp. and give you an error message.
Yes the booket does recomend ramping up on full holding at 537 while you make your beads, then skip to ramp down to 371C
There isn't a single correct temperature as such, but 537C is definitely high - that's higher than the recommended temp for Lauscha, which is higher than for Effetre.
Although, if your batch annealing at 537C has been working for you without any of your beads getting tacky, you could always try keeping it at that and see what happens. (I garage and anneal at 510C, but I think my kiln runs hot).
I garage at 520, then just ramp down as usual :)
Hi Shirl
There is a schedule on the wiki for an SC2 http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/wiki/Annealing
I have garaged at 500 and 510 before. I programme my kiln to run at 510 now for about 12 hours - and when I'm done I just skip to the next segment.
I generally anneal at 520, but for some colours - CIM Halong Bay and Peacock Green I increase the temp to 535 as they are prone to crack at lower temps. I've also tested other colours at this temp (soft ones like white) and they have been fine - although I would avoid un-encased rubino. Some striking colours like Pandora and multicolour work better at these temps.
All that said, everyone's kilns run a little differently so it could be trial and error!
Also worth noting - if you have some un-annealed beads, you can always pop then in the kiln when you are running an "as you go" cycle!! Just pop them in before you fire up!
Hope that helps!
Quote from: Kalorlo on February 04, 2011, 10:29:01 AM
There isn't a single correct temperature as such, but 537C is definitely high - that's higher than the recommended temp for Lauscha, which is higher than for Effetre.
Although, if your batch annealing at 537C has been working for you without any of your beads getting tacky, you could always try keeping it at that and see what happens. (I garage and anneal at 510C, but I think my kiln runs hot).
I usually batch anneal with the holding temp at 520 for 1 hour. I havent used the higher temp, thats why I was a bit confused reading the instruction book "annealing as you go" as it recomends 537. The book does not state which type of glass it is though, it just says "flame worked glass beads"
Aha, stick to 520 then ;D
Martin at Tuffnells sent me a set up programme when I bought my paragon and it was so easy to set up. I ramp mine up slowly to 520 and set for 8 hours once finished I skip segment and that goes to an annealing secment for one hour and then cools down. I'm sure he will email you a copy if you ask him.
Just want to say, I've modified my post, have no idea whay I said 510 when I always garage at 525.. :-[ ::)
Thanks for the info, I think I will garage at 520.
Just one more daft question..... My kiln has a bead door (which as yet has not been used) but while I am making my beads do I leave it propped open all the time between beads then close it when i have finished, or do I keep opening and closing it as I add another bead?
Keep it closed :) as much as the mandrels will allow anyway.
Thank you :)
For Effetre/Laucha/Bullseye: I have had to reduce my garage to 450 to avoid beads sticking to each other. I then ramp up at 500/hour to 512 and hold for 1 hour. Ramping up at max can cause the kiln to overshoot.