I am really starting to struggle with the size of my Prometheus 7 and so am looking at buying one a bit bigger. I have narrowed it down to 2. I would love to afford myself the luxury of buying one colour co ordinated but I am being good and ignoring the colour....for now ;) Even though I would LOVE a red or purple one :) So my 2 choices are maxi/maxine and the Paragon Bluebird. Yes there is a difference in price but I need to make sure this is right. So what would you choose or have chosen and why?
On a side note my Prometheus 7 with bead door will be going up for sale. It is 2 1/2 years old and always run wonderfully, how do i work out what it's saleable value is? And does anyone want it? ;)
I look forward to all your words of wisdom
Sarah x
Personally, a Maxi/Maxine - made in UK with all the excellent support from Kilncare ;D
I've had mine for a couple of years ( having upgraded from a bead cube ) and have been very happy with it.
As devils advocate, why sell and buy a new one, why not get a second kiln? This will mean if (god forbid) one of them stops working you will still have a back up. It could also mean you could have one for am and a second for pm, when the PM session is finished the am kiln will be cool enough to clean? If you are having a small session you will be sending less on electric?
If I was going for a second kiln, I would pick one from kiln care, the after sales service is second to none. I have heard of people having problems and having parts out to fix them same day.
That idea is good Krysia except I need the money from the sale of the existing to go towards the new one.
I was struggling with the size of my SC2 with bead door, Sarah.
I was lucky enough to buy a second hand Maxi in perfect condition, on here a couple of months ago for £400, intending to sell my SC2.
I have decided to keep both though.
The smaller one is fine for if I don't intend having a long session, and as I'm going to start fusing classes in a couple of weeks time, it will be essential for that and also metal clays.
I would not be without my Maxi now either. So much more room.
If you possibly can keep both, it's a great idea in case of failure of either.
Linda x
I have a Maxine here and a Bluebird in Oz. Without a shadow of doubt, the Maxine is the far superior kiln. The quality is much better and the programmer is easy to operate. I also like the holey mesh at the back to rest mandrels on which the Bluebird doesn't have and I ended up with some scuffed beads. Dealing with Lee is very easy and customer care is exceptional. Plus you could also buy a bead cube later and swap the controller between the two.
Kazx
Quote from: Kaz on June 08, 2013, 09:48:05 PM
I have a Maxine here and a Bluebird in Oz. Without a shadow of doubt, the Maxine is the far superior kiln. The quality is much better and the programmer is easy to operate. I also like the holey mesh at the back to rest mandrels on which the Bluebird doesn't have and I ended up with some scuffed beads. Dealing with Lee is very easy and customer care is exceptional. Plus you could also buy a bead cube later and swap the controller between the two.
Kazx
Ditto have both and the maxi / Maxine is so much better and it's UK ...no contest ):
Quote from: Madam Steph on June 08, 2013, 07:42:10 PM
and as I'm going to start fusing classes in a couple of weeks time, it will be essential for that
Linda x
I thought the same thing when I started fusing, I can do stuff in my kiln at home! The reality of that situation is I have been going to classes for ...erm... three/four years I haven't yet used the kiln at home but am slowly saving for a big flat bed kiln. I think I am almost at 7% of the cost of the kiln and then there will be VAT and delivery to save for... ;) ::)
Quote from: Krysia@No98 on June 09, 2013, 09:58:45 AM
Quote from: Madam Steph on June 08, 2013, 07:42:10 PM
and as I'm going to start fusing classes in a couple of weeks time, it will be essential for that
Linda x
I thought the same thing when I started fusing, I can do stuff in my kiln at home! The reality of that situation is I have been going to classes for ...erm... three/four years I haven't yet used the kiln at home but am slowly saving for a big flat bed kiln. I think I am almost at 7% of the cost of the kiln and then there will be VAT and delivery to save for... ;) ::)
So glad I am not in the only one. I have been going to fusing classes for over two years and only finally did some cabs for earrings at home a few weeks ago!
There's always the option of hiring space in a local studio's kiln for larger pieces.
Quote from: The Tartan Trout on June 08, 2013, 06:32:32 PM
I am really starting to struggle with the size of my Prometheus 7 and so am looking at buying one a bit bigger. I have narrowed it down to 2. I would love to afford myself the luxury of buying one colour co ordinated but I am being good and ignoring the colour....for now ;) Even though I would LOVE a red or purple one :)
Not to put temptation in your way, but I am sure I saw on the Kilncare facebook page the other day, a bright green version of the maxi/maxine and them saying they're going to offer it in range of colours....
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151537512924733&set=a.451917754732.239157.238801689732&type=1&theater
Oh, that's nice!
Er, just wondering; has anyone ever tried painting their kiln with Hammerite? It works on motorcycle frames, and they get pretty warm.
Quote from: Moira HFG on June 09, 2013, 06:45:17 PM
Oh, that's nice!
Er, just wondering; has anyone ever tried painting their kiln with Hammerite? It works on motorcycle frames, and they get pretty warm.
When I used to drag race & build engines big block V8 engines, I used high temp engine paint which I now believe come in a range of colours ;)
Quote from: Pat from Canvey on June 09, 2013, 05:55:35 PM
There's always the option of hiring space in a local studio's kiln for larger pieces.
I go to 'classes' at the local uni. To be fair they are increditbly reasonably priced and they will let you hire the 1x1.5 m kiln for something like £20 for a firing, but you also have to hire the studio so that you have space to construct your work.
I also want my own kiln ;)
I forgot to also say that part of the reason I am moving house is to have space for this kiln ::)
Quote from: Krysia@No98 on June 09, 2013, 07:39:38 PM
Quote from: Pat from Canvey on June 09, 2013, 05:55:35 PM
There's always the option of hiring space in a local studio's kiln for larger pieces.
I go to 'classes' at the local uni. To be fair they are increditbly reasonably priced and they will let you hire the 1x1.5 m kiln for something like £20 for a firing, but you also have to hire the studio so that you have space to construct your work.
I also want my own kiln ;)
I forgot to also say that part of the reason I am moving house is to have space for this kiln ::)
Krysia..snap!
I just KNOW when I start (and I know it will suit me), I will want to have my own kiln for that, and also in the next few years we shall be moving, and Tom is already sounding out the agents for somewhere with something suitable for my hobby. Meanwhile Pat...I'm going to Caroline for the classes, so I daresay I will be able to sort something out at Barleylands.
Sarah..re the purple kiln..I know that the Paragon kilns now come in purple, the Maxine's in green now, and I bet that Lee will probably be extending his colours now too
Linda x
Thank you everyone. The Maxi/Maxine is by far the winner. I have emailed Lee. Now I just need to sell my existing one :)
and another excellent choice ;D
Now then with regards to paint. Back in the good old eighties all our kilns were done with a standard Hammerite and one never set on fire....however....do bear in mind ALL paints have a flash point where they ignite and bead annealing is one of the warmer applications for kiln paint.
Exhaust manifold paint is a good one but I hope you like red or silver ;D
Ooh red with silver highlights ;) no????
In that case I will stick to red :)
Yep a vote for the MAXI on my wishlist, I love my Bead Cube as you know but this is on my shopping list for later in the year! And having experienced first hand a drama with my kiln that Kilncare sorted a few days before Christmas they absolutley have my vote!
I'm persuaded as well - already have a hobby fuser - SC2 is getting too small :( need to save some pennies first - can I get the maxi with out the controller?
I'm waiting for Lee to come up with a vitrigraph kiln, ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
the kiln question drives me mad. I am saving for my 'first' kiln and the whole beadcube v's sc2 was my main issue but now i'm going to fusing classes and really wanting to slump too i'm wondering if I should go maxi/Maxine or bluebird.. Arrrgh
I didn't think you could use the maxi/maxine or bluebird for fusing? I'm sure somebody will confirm :)
Quote from: Lilacpixie on June 16, 2013, 08:56:07 PM
the kiln question drives me mad. I am saving for my 'first' kiln and the whole beadcube v's sc2 was my main issue but now i'm going to fusing classes and really wanting to slump too i'm wondering if I should go maxi/Maxine or bluebird.. Arrrgh
you can fuse and slump in a SC2
Lee's site says the maximum temperature for the Maxine is 650 deg C The Bluebird is apparently a 650 deg C one too so no fusing.
I think the bluebird XL goes up to fusing temperatures?
I have gone from a bead cbe to a maxine and am really pleased with it. I had heard that you could use the controller from BC to Maxine but Lee tells me that is not possible as there have been changes to the controller preventing this, thought I'd mention it in case anyone was thinking of doing this, but then again, if you will need to sell the bead cube to buy the maxine, it doesnt really matter. I love my Maxine.
Quote from: Pat from Canvey on June 12, 2013, 08:01:08 AM
I'm waiting for Lee to come up with a vitrigraph kiln, ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
We looked at doing one of these a decade ago and found it not possible. Well not possible to make at a price that anyone would pay.
The problem is this. You fill the plant pot or whatever with glass, fire it up, the pot breaks, the glass touches an element, the glass conducts the electricity and you then stick your metal forks or whatever into the tingly glass.
Flamin rare I agree, but that's what we are up against.
The kiln would need some careful design and preventative measures / materials to stop the risk of this....and that costs money.
A vitrigraph is basically a top loader with a hole drilled in the bottom.
We looked into this with insulation specialists, element specialists and HSE type people and no one was happy to proceed.
I guess there is a reason why no European makers make one as I know to. America plays by very different rules than we do remember.
Quote from: June on June 16, 2013, 09:27:49 PM
I didn't think you could use the maxi/maxine or bluebird for fusing? I'm sure somebody will confirm :)
Nope, MAXI and Bluebird are annealers only. I do believe the Bluebird XL will go hotter, to about 815c I think.
Quote from: Angie on June 17, 2013, 12:00:20 AM
I have gone from a bead cbe to a maxine and am really pleased with it. I had heard that you could use the controller from BC to Maxine but Lee tells me that is not possible as there have been changes to the controller preventing this, thought I'd mention it in case anyone was thinking of doing this, but then again, if you will need to sell the bead cube to buy the maxine, it doesnt really matter. I love my Maxine.
Yup, new MAXI now runs on a different version of the KCR1. Correct. Bead Cube and MAXI KCR1s are no longer compatible.
Sorry about that gang.
I built a vitrograph kiln using a metal bin some old ht10 bricks and bits of kiln shelf. Not very beautiful to look at but it will melt 2 kilos of glass in about one and a half hours. It uses a propane burner from a raku kiln. It would not be too difficult to make one using ceramic fibre blanket and it would be lighter to move around so I think mark 2 will be made like that.