I've wanted a new small kiln that gets hotter than my bluebird, so that I can try some fusing and casting. I've been eyeing up a beadkiln too for ages, and was planning to get one of those when funds were available ::)
However I manged to pick up a very, very old and battered Paragon kiln last week. It's in a bit of a sorry state, but the controller is ok. The elements were ruined, both were in several parts, and litterally hanging loose in places inside the kiln. A quick email to Brian at Kilncare (who also advised how I could check the controller) and I popped the best of one of the elements in the post as they'd never made elements for this model of kiln (I'd never even seen this model either!)
(http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq8/DendrobiumGLENN/IMAG0103kiln.jpg)
Yesterday I got two shiny new elements! It took me ages to get the remaining element out, as it was in so many peices and in places had melted into the kilnbrick! :o :o :o So I had to dig out bits of melted metal so it didn't short out the new elements, it still needs a bit more work and some patching, but despite a concern the element might not be quite right length (as the element I sent away was in bits) the element made was a perfect fit! I nervously test fired it last night, and it worked first time! ;D ;D ;D
I can certainly see why so many people I speak to rave about kilncare's service, I was expecting to take weeks to get this kiln working (if at all!) Thank you Kilncare!
That Brian man is amazing!!
Three cheers for Kilncare!!!
That's fabulous! ;D And well done on that find!
Brilliant! ;D ;D ;D Will be very interested to see how the kiln casting goes, too - it looked fun when we saw them doing it in Germany.