Bluebird or SC3?

[Redhotsal]

Hehehe 

[Billie]

Sal I like your comment about the Caldera looking as though it was cobbled together by Goblins.... so true!

I love my "cobbled together by Goblins" Caldera    and I also found programming it very simple last year when I put in two schedules... although I've now to set another program for PMC so hopefully I'll remember how I did it/can find the instruction manual since moving 

[Lee - Kilncare]

I already use a caldera - just worried about touching live elements with my mandrel! That is why I wanted to get something a little safer

Don't get me started on that one again

[Zeldazog]

I nearly had a Caldera

In fact, it arrived, it got unpacked, it sat on the side for a while for me to make a decision - it got sent back because I decided it wasn't "portable" enough for me (I needed something I could put away, as I fuse in the kitchen and didn't want it sitting on the work top all the time) - it was a bit awkward to move (handle position, etc) and I dind't like the bare brick underneath which left bits every time I tried to pick it up

Ironically, I ended up with a Skutt Hot Start, an even bigger heavier kiln that I can't even lift - had a trolley made so it can wheel in and out of the cupboard - for some reason, making one of those for a caldera never occured to me which would have solved my problems and made the Caldera spot on (oh, apart from its size, by Skutt can do 12" diameter, as opposed to a 8" square - although its nowhere near as hot as a Caldera can go - and can't have a bead collar added for if/when I start to get into bead making (inevitable one day) - that said, its top firing, and very even - god, I could drive myself insane)

[Billie]

I already use a caldera - just worried about touching live elements with my mandrel! That is why I wanted to get something a little safer

Don't get me started on that one again

Oh go on... Get started on it again.  I must have missed the rant the first time around 

[Debs]

I have a bluebird XL, brilliant if you are having a full day of lampworking.  so much room in here I've never filled it yet  Mind you, I've only been lampworking for 3 months, so probably dont make that much in one day anyhows  Mine came pre programmed from Q so I didn't even need to worry about that side of things, just turn it on, select the programe I want and off I go.  I checked once how economical it was to use and once its up to holding temp, the dial on the electricity meter didn't even move.  The extra £50 was worth every penny  Debs

[beadysam]

Well I'm smug cos I have a Jen-Ken that I  LUUURRRVVVEE!

[Lee - Kilncare]

I already use a caldera - just worried about touching live elements with my mandrel! That is why I wanted to get something a little safer

Don't get me started on that one again

Oh go on... Get started on it again.  I must have missed the rant the first time around 

Hi Billie, here is the link to my inane ranting.

Bare in mind the thread is back in Feb and things may have altered since then with regards to kilns supplied here.....then again, they may not.

http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1356.0

You did ask.

[Revontulet]

I've got an SC3 with bead door, and it's great, except for when I have a long session and fill it up - there's a lot of space which is unusable because its as tall as wide. I bought this one to have the flexibility for larger pieces, but if you're only annealing beads, something with more 'floor space' may be better.

HTH  

[ejralph]

I already use a caldera - just worried about touching live elements with my mandrel! That is why I wanted to get something a little safer

Don't get me started on that one again

Oh go on... Get started on it again.  I must have missed the rant the first time around 

Hi Billie, here is the link to my inane ranting.

Bare in mind the thread is back in Feb and things may have altered since then with regards to kilns supplied here.....then again, they may not.

http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1356.0

You did ask.

Lee dude - you give good rant my friend. In fact, I think you could probably give both me and RHS a run for our money in the ranting dept, and that is saying something!

I have to say, I love my caldera as an alrounder kiln, but the safety issues on the whole bead door thing have long troubled me. I got a nasty electric shock as a kid and its not an experience I care to repeat!

Hence my wish for another - and its starting to look like the Bluebird XL I think, unless anyone else has any good firebrick recommendations?

Emma

[Billie]

I already use a caldera - just worried about touching live elements with my mandrel! That is why I wanted to get something a little safer

Don't get me started on that one again

Oh go on... Get started on it again.  I must have missed the rant the first time around 

Hi Billie, here is the link to my inane ranting.

Bare in mind the thread is back in Feb and things may have altered since then with regards to kilns supplied here.....then again, they may not.

http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1356.0

You did ask.

Cor!!  I'm glad I sat down to read that drinking a cuppa    Fortunately mine does have a cut-off switch (although I never open the lid as I have the bead collar) and I also use very short mandrels    Interesting read though Lee and some great points, so thanks for posting that link.  Will stand me in good stead when I start on some PMC work.

[glassworks]

lol, all the paragon's with exposed elements and top hinged etc now come with trigger switches to cut the current.. the bluebird has in theory got an exposed element, but there is no way i could stick a piece of wire up inside there to electrocute myself, unless i was already lying on the floor and wishing to end it all! 

all good points though - it is good to see the kiln manufacturers making better efforts to keep us all safe from the poked mandrel incident!!

[♥♥Tan♥♥]

Well I'm smug cos I have a Jen-Ken that I  LUUURRRVVVEE!

me too

[Lee - Kilncare]

Quint, I have never got my hands on a Bluebird so I'm not sure how the elements are fitted. I have had a good look around on the net but can't find the info required. If the elements are set into grooved roof bricks as other Paragons used to be then it is almost certain that they need to be door switched, whether that be in Europe or in the U.K.

Obviously I am not saying the kilns do not comply as I have no first hand knowledge of this kiln specifically. It may be that the elements are not fitted in this way and the kiln is safe, it is just with you mentioning that they have exposed elements that the alarm bell rang.

I really would advice you to take a closer look into this mate for your own protection as you are the importer I presume. It could be argued that the operation methods of this kiln make it O.K. but I don't think that would be the case.

We have both come across kilns, I'm sure, with elements set into the roof bricks where the elements sag out of the grooves over time.

I know you would have to be a idiot to go sticking your mandrel into the groove but the laws are they to protect idiots unfortunately.

Hate to sound like an old grump, just trying to help.

[ejralph]

Lee, I'm guessing that is how they are. From the clay-king website it says "The BlueBird XL has durable insulating firebricks in the roof, walls and floor. The element is seated in pinless grooves in the roof."

Looking at it, an idiot (ie - me) could probably manage to stick a mandrel into that just as easily if not easier than I could already with my caldera and the bead collar.

I know in both instances it is highly unlikely, but I am pretty cack-handed at times.. 

Emma