Need advice on using SC-3 bead door please

paintboxcrafts · November 26, 2009, 10:40:31 AM

Hi,

I have just conquered batch annealing, but am plucking up courage to try garaging as I go.
I have found the schedule and programmed it in ready to go, but I am faffing about trying to get the right combination
of bead rack and bead door.
I've got the rack that came with the kiln that clips on outside the bead door, and I also have the rack from Tuffnells that
sits inside.
If I use the Paragon rack then the beads are going to rest on the kiln floor (protected by some kiln paper) but I am worried about
"kiss" marks, I really want the beads supported in mid air don't I?..at least to begin with.
The Tuffnell's rack seems to support the mandrels at such a high angle that they slide back out the door.
Am I right in that you want to keep the bead door as closed as possible to retain heat,
so you need the mandrels to stick out of the door as low down as possible, so the bead door will sit back down on them,
or does it not matter?
I suppose I could make my own rack from some mesh, but I thought I'd ask to see if anyone else uses the racks I mentioned in their
SC-2/3.
Any advice will be gratefully received!

Cathy

Steampunkglass · November 26, 2009, 11:34:39 AM

I don't have this kiln so am not sure what to advise $:-\$ I use a bent bit of stainless steel to keep them free from touching anything when I initially put them in the kiln; it's just after they're made when I find I am most likely to dent them as they are still quite soft. After a few minutes I mostly find they are ok to move and let them rest on the floor without too many problems, although I try to space them out well so they aren't touching any other beads or mandrels - although that's not always possiable if it's been a big session!

I am sure someone with this kiln can better advise on best way to put the racks in though?

turnedlight · November 26, 2009, 01:51:40 PM

I have this kiln, I agree the design is illogical for use with a kiln rack and I gave up trying!
I anneal at 520 and I lay the bead down on the floor. As you put the bead in through the door, hold it in the air for a few moments as there can still be a glow that you didn't see outside the kiln. I very rarely get any marks and then it's usually because I rushed it for some reason like a knock at the door.. some glass stays softer longer so you have to be more careful with them like ivory etc.
I also stagger the beads, so the first row in get pushed to the back, next row in lie between them and slightly forward so the beads aren't lying on top of one another. I did have the occasional mandrel slither out but we took off the rack and bent it a little and it seems ok now.

noora · November 26, 2009, 02:04:05 PM

I don't know how the rack on the outside on a Paragon works, but on my Evenheat PMC kiln (which is very similar to an SC3) the rack on the bead door is a bit below the door itself. If I put a kiln shelf inside the kiln, the edge of the shelf will support the mandrels so that they are at an angle and the beads (that are further in) don't touch the shelf. However, the mandrels kept shifting around, so I put a home made rod rest inside the kiln. I have to put the rod rest quite far back so that the slope won't be too steep.

paintboxcrafts · November 26, 2009, 02:05:15 PM

Thanks Turnedlight,
Let me get this straight, you are using the rack that comes with the kiln that fits outside
underneath the door?
Can I please check, what do you put on the floor of the kiln to protect it?

Cathy

paintboxcrafts · November 26, 2009, 02:15:25 PM

Thanks Noora,
I think I might end up making a custom rack, I'm just lacking a bit
of confidence as yet!
Cathy

turnedlight · November 26, 2009, 04:16:09 PM

Quote from: paintboxcrafts on November 26, 2009, 02:05:15 PM
Thanks Turnedlight,
Let me get this straight, you are using the rack that comes with the kiln that fits outside
underneath the door?
Can I please check, what do you put on the floor of the kiln to protect it?

Cathy

yep, just the rack screwed on to the door. I use the square kiln shelf that came with it on the base of the kiln.

jaz · November 26, 2009, 04:25:45 PM

I use both. The rack from Tuffnells inside to keep the mandrels at an angle that lets the door close quite well and the outside rack stops them sliding out. This works for me as I am not too careful about placing things in the kiln (tend to more or less throw them in!).

Helen

Betty the Chook · November 26, 2009, 11:03:54 PM

I am so glad you asked this question. I too am trying to pluck up the courage to garage beads as I make them. I have a Paragon SC2 with the bead door. I made a frame to batch anneal bead kebabs on (thank you to Beady Bugs for the pics somewhere on this forum) and was going to try to set up a similarly constructed frame for garaging this weekend. If it works I will put up a pic. $:-\$

Betty the Chook · December 10, 2009, 10:03:49 AM

I did try a rack thingy in the kiln - did not work at all, so I am just shoving them in on the fibre mat/shelf that came with the kiln. The rack on the outside just stopped me being able to close the door $:-\$ so I took it off. Seems to work OK. Does anyone know if it is OK to put the beads on a fibre shelf, I think someone told me they had to be on a ceramic one

$:-\$ but I may had dreamed that

turnedlight · December 10, 2009, 10:12:19 AM

I put mine on the fibre square which came with the kiln. I anneal at 525 and all seems well..

paintboxcrafts · December 10, 2009, 10:14:38 AM

Hi,

I have now tried garaging twice sucessfully, using the door rack and Martin's rack inside the kiln at the same time.
I have the inside rack directly inside the door on a piece of kiln paper.
I don't sit the mandrels in the depressions of the door rack, but sit the ends of them right down into it, that way the door shuts well.
I have got myself some polarising film to check the annealing with, and I think they are OK.
They pass the bounce on the quarry tile floor test anyway!
I've ordered a new fibre shelf (I killed my old one when enamelling) to put under the rack inside instead of the paper but it hasn't arrived yet.
I'm getting braver with practise!

Cathy

Meagan Lily · December 10, 2009, 02:43:40 PM

Hi, I have a paragon kiln. I use the outside mandrel rest and one I bought from tuffnels inside which I put on a ceramic kiln shelf. This is the setup.

I use the outside rest to stop the beads sliding out. I have to put the beads in carefully, but it works and I'm used to it now. This how the mandrels rest with the door shut.

Meagan Lily · December 10, 2009, 02:45:59 PM

Quote from: paintboxcrafts on December 10, 2009, 10:14:38 AM
Hi,

I have now tried garaging twice sucessfully, using the door rack and Martin's rack inside the kiln at the same time.
I have the inside rack directly inside the door on a piece of kiln paper.
I don't sit the mandrels in the depressions of the door rack, but sit the ends of them right down into it, that way the door shuts well.
I have got myself some polarising film to check the annealing with, and I think they are OK.
They pass the bounce on the quarry tile floor test anyway!
I've ordered a new fibre shelf (I killed my old one when enamelling) to put under the rack inside instead of the paper but it hasn't arrived yet.
I'm getting braver with practise!

Cathy

Cathy, can I ask where you got your polarising film from please?

paintboxcrafts · December 10, 2009, 02:56:12 PM

Hi Meaganlily

Your pictures are basically what I do too, but with rack on the kiln floor (protected by paper)
I got my polarising film on ebay, I got two bits, but you can hold your bead between your laptop screen and one bit of film
as the screen acts as a polariser and light source in one.
The ebay item no. is 300365694062 from consiliumdesigns.
Two pieces plus P+P cost me £5.

Cathy