could anyone advise me on this please...
I would love to be able to buy a new glass kiln but sadly at the moment my funds are limited.
I want to move on from my little microwave kiln and have seen a 1996 cromartie hobby kiln for sale for £200.
I know this is a ceramic kiln but it appears to be in reasonable condition for it's age.
Would I be wasting my money buying it or would it be a worthwhile starter kiln for a year or two until I can afford a new, glass kiln.
Any advice would be appreciated as I am only a novice, albiet an enthusiatic one.
Thank you
Sandra
does it has an electronic /digital controller or just a kiln sitter?
I've got a little cromartie toploader which has served me very well but it does take some experimenting to understand how the heat distributes, like any kiln.
If it has a kiln sitter, basically an analogue controller as it is turned off by the bending of a little ceramic bar at a certain temperature inside the kiln that causes a weight to drop and knock the power off. Very accurate but doesn't control the cooling cycle, so you have to babysit or avoid thick/large things.
That being said, even a digital controller on a ceramic kiln needs checking to see if that model allows for the amount of ramps & soaks you might want for a glass programme.
You also want to check the condition of the kiln, are elements held in place, not corroded or covered with anything. Are bricks whole / minimal cracks / damage etc.
Thank you so much for that...you have just saved me £200.
I haven't asked the seller but looking at the photos I can see a dial on the side which of course means it is analogue. I never even thought of that...told you I was a novice :-)....
It is now back to the drawing board for me but with a bit more knowledge. I don't think I feel confident enough to use anything other than a digital controller so I now have 3 choices... 1)wait for a couple of years, 2) try to convince my DH that a glass kiln would be an investment or 3)buy a red light for the porch ;D
Sandra
Some local studios will hire out their kilns for a fee. Ask around and you might be pleasantly surprised. One local studio was doing a pot melt yesterday for one of their students. I know because they asked me about setup.
where are you living, there may be someone nearby you can rent time from
What Pat and Pauline said.
Also keep an eye on ebay and Preloved as well as this forum, because proper glass kilns do come up at intervals. Not super cheap, but a fair bit less than new.
The other thing about even getting a kiln with a sitter is you can rip it out and wire in a better controller. That's what I ended up doing with my cromartie when I wanted to cast with it. You'll pay more for the controller and thermocouple than the kiln probably but if the kiln is in good condition then you may even save money on a brand new big kiln.
I've just done this on a large toploader, although the controller was fine, I replaced the lid with a Kilncare custom job and it's given me a great casting kiln for a fraction of the cost of a new one.
I am very happy to report that my DH has agreed to me getting a new kiln. I decided on the Skutt Hotstart at just under £800 and ordered it 10 minutes ago
I will now be reading up on everything to do with working with a kiln. It should be here by the end of next week.
I am so excited....
Thank you for all your advice and I am hoping you will forgive me when I come back again for help. I will try not to be a pest.
Sandra
Skutt Hotstart at just under £800 - nice kiln with a good controller - enjoy. Is it a He or a She? And have you named it yet? :D :D :D
Wise decision on the Cromartie. Although they are a very good kiln the older ones esp the bases tend to wear very quickly and like everyone else said the controller esp a sitter would be inhibitive when working with glass
Oh, most definately a "she"...name as yet undecided but maybe Samantha...what do you think ?
Maybe when she arrives and I see her, the name might change. I would really have liked the next size up but I didn't want to push my luck ;D
Sandra
Quote from: sandmor1 on March 06, 2014, 07:23:29 PM
Oh, most definately a "she"...name as yet undecided but maybe Samantha...what do you think ?
Sandra
Cute ;D
another question, please.
I saw an advert online for something called EZ Fuse software.
Is it something which would be good for a complete novice.
I have downloaded the demo but I don't know if I should buy it or not...
Advice would be appreciated.
Thank you
Sandra
Just taken a peak at that software, I think at this stage you should save your money and buy some moulds ;)
Quote from: Barnacle Bay on March 07, 2014, 01:25:16 PM
Just taken a peak at that software, I think at this stage you should save your money and buy some moulds ;)
I will do as you suggest...I had a feeling that would be the answer, I just needed someone to confirm it.
Sandra
There's sample firing schedules on manufacturers websites, so no need to buy software.
Good call about not getting the pottery kiln - I have an old cromartie (for pottery, not glass) and found out it would cost about £500 to convert it to digital (and the old style fibre lids aren't replaceable so no point in wasting the money).
Enjoy!