Hi all, I've recently purchased a bluebird as I managed to pick it up second hand,it's probably too big really for my needs but it was a lot cheaper than buying a new one. I've managed to bead and anneal twice this week and realistically could probably just batch anneal when I have enough to fill it ( depending on my patience ). I'm just wondering what you guys do? I've always cooled in vermiculite in a slow cooker with very few breakages. I'm also wondering if double helix & northstar .... Would they be better put straight into the kiln?
Thanks guys in advance I really couldn't manage without this forum it's been the making of me as I'm really self taught or should I say frit happens taught :D :D :D
Lynne x
If you only make small beads then you'd be fine batch annealing, but if you are going to do larger focals you'd be better off garaging as you go. Most double helix is ok batch annealed, but strikers might strike again in the kiln.
I started off by batch annealing but sort of had to plan the type of beads I would make - I soon got fed up with that and now always garage - a lot my beads are whoppers now! I didn't find any difference with DH... :)
I used to batch anneal when I started, few breakages but not many though at the time I wasnt making anything special. I was concerned about wasting electricity but I only have a bead cube so it probably doesnt use that much.
I have changed over now to garaging as the beads are slowly getting better and because I get to open the kiln in the morning before I go to work where the batch anneal takes longer and I have to wait till I get home!
I didnt notice any difference with DH when I batch annealed and as the others said small beads will be ok this way, one down side is you get a whole heap to clean in one go...dont like that bit!
Thanks guys x I think I'll give it a go and see how I get on.Im not making anything too. Big at the mo ment but I'm hoping to give myself a push now I didn't torch for over a month as my family had to say goodbye to my 17 year old neice whom was taken from us suddenly :( just felt too bad but I'm getting there and hoping to make my sister some special beads x
Lynne xxx
Whoops sorry about the errors x typing on my phone and can't see to well ;D
Lynne x
i have never really understood having a kiln and batch annealing,thought that the whole point of having one was being able to garage as you go ....
Quote from: sarah t on February 14, 2012, 11:11:43 AM
i have never really understood having a kiln and batch annealing,thought that the whole point of having one was being able to garage as you go ....
If I only have an hour to spare and expect to make just a few beads, I'd keep them for a batch. Its when I have the whole day to play def put the kiln on even if I'm nmaking tiddly little ones
If you have a batch of smaller beads made, you could pop them into the kiln before you start the cycle off for a anneal as you go programme and they will be fine. Then you can make a batch of bigger beads!
I'm with Trudi.
If I only have a short time to play I will cool them in bubbles then next time I put the kiln on I pop them in before I turn it on.
I initially thought they would explode with the sudden influx of heat (my Beadcube heats up to garage heat in about 15 minutes) but none have, although if I made something complex I would be more apprehensive.
If I have a few hours to play then I garage.
Quote from: Enchanted Cobwebs on February 14, 2012, 01:23:48 PM
Quote from: sarah t on February 14, 2012, 11:11:43 AM
i have never really understood having a kiln and batch annealing,thought that the whole point of having one was being able to garage as you go ....
If I only have an hour to spare and expect to make just a few beads, I'd keep them for a batch. Its when I have the whole day to play def put the kiln on even if I'm nmaking tiddly little ones
I'm the same; a ew minutes = they go in the bubbles, a few hours and I turn the kiln on.
Thanks for your advice, it seems a shame to switch the kiln on when I only have a few beads in it. It's good to know I can start the kiln to garage and the beads should be ok, I will give this a try x
Lynne x :)