newb kiln confusion!

[cezerpringle]

Hiya, I'm new! I have done a few lampwork beads with the vermiculite method.
I also have a load of glass for fusing (and kiln wash etc etc.)
I have an SC2 kiln without bead door (and would rather not buy the extra door right now).
The kiln has a shelf of some sort and no proppy bits

how can I tell which shelf I have (the pmc or glass one)?
I presume I need to buy a shelf kit with the proppy bits in it or can I just buy those bits seperately?
Do I have to buy a mandrel stand or something in order to batch anneal? Or can I take the beads off before batch annealing?
I'm a bit freaked out with what to do with it first...
If someone could point me in the direction of some kind of kiln use tutorial i'd be eternaly greatful.
Sorry to sound so daft!

Ceri

[Veebee]

Hi Ceri!
I can help you with a couple of things here:
You can buy shelf props separately, try Warm Glass for those maybe.
You can batch anneal by simply piling your beads on the floor of the kiln if you want. I have a layer of fibre blanket on my propped shelf, but that's just my personal preference!
HTH

[fionaess]

I batch anneal in my SC3- just pile your beads into a pyrex dish/lid and put it on the bottom of the kiln  and then anneal them 

[cezerpringle]

Thanks sooo much!

The instructions say the fibre shelf is for pmc and the fireclay shelf is for glass, enameling etc.
Would there be a difference in texture between them? Is it actually bad to use the fibre shelf with glass? As I say, I have 1 but I have no idea which 1! Lol

Ceri

[fionaess]

I dont use any of my shelves.. just put the dish on the bottom of the kiln floor...

[cezerpringle]

I mean for fusing... would that be ok?

[Black Heart Beads]

Hi Ceri,

A fireclay shelf is hard and heavy, the fibre shelf is soft and light. My fibre shelf is now well used and not a good surface for fusing on. My fireclay one is perfect for the job. I got the fibre one with the kiln and brought the clay one from warm glass I think.

Hope that helps.

Sam

[cezerpringle]

Thanks! That does help! Mine is a fireclay.
Hard, feels like fine terracotta without any glaze.
Thanks as I say, I was getting myself confuzed!
Thanks
Ceri

[fionaess]

Ooooh sorry - thought you wanted to batch anneal beads...

[cezerpringle]

I do, so thanks but I also wanted to know about fusing... want to generally play with glass! Love it! More acurately I want to use my kiln! It's been sitting there for a few weeks now.
The annealing info is great! Very useful for when I next get around to doing some lampworking!
Currently still bamboozled but learning.
Thanks again, everyone! I now have a better idea of what I'm doing!

Ceri

[Margram]

Don't forget to use some Thinfire paper or battwash/shelf primer to prepare your shelf, so the glass doesn't stick (sorry if stating the obvious!).

[cezerpringle]

Yeah, did that and fired it up to 148C to dry it.
Tried to fuse some glass (that worked, I'll post pics later on the newb show and tell thread) and turn a bead that had cracked in two into cabs but that didn't work... when I took the two halves of the beads off the shelf it took the primer with it...
Anyone have any idea why it hasn't worked? Should all be 90 coe and the bullseye fusing glass fused pretty well at 850C but the lampwork glass didn't even lose the mandrel hole.

Thanks so much.... you guys have been tres helpful!
Merci beaucoup
Ceri

[Cecilia]

Hi Ceri
i have recently got an sc2 so i am also getting used to it. i got a fibreboard sheet thing with the kiln and i just batch anneal on that. i take the beads off the mandrels and set them out on the base. i had a go at melting half beads which did ok although i am not sure i would use mine but that was down to the beads i started with. i fired mine on thinfire paper on the fibre thing. it had to get scarily hot though... i am waiting for an order of bullseye sheet glass to arrive  so will have a go at fusing then. i got the firing schedules off here somewhere, got to dash now but if you want i will hunt them out when i get back.

X

[cezerpringle]

Thanks! that's be great!
for those that are interested....
My first 6 lampwork plays and my first two kiln fuses (I know, I'm awful at glass cutting).
http://twitpic.com/yvh9q (The blue one at the back looks worse than it is, I've just got to work on the footprint and not overheating)
http://twitpic.com/10zwpg
Quite pleased with myself though!
I think they look good for something I had no understanding of a week ago

Thanks again
Ceri

[Cecilia]

Hi Ceri
sorry for not getting back, one of those weeks...

this is the thread i read regarding annealing

http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=859.msg9784#msg9784

This is the cabs link

http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=381.msg4916#msg4916

i have had a play with my flat glass this week and had great fun, the kids have had a go as well making glass pictures and frit pendants. i am hooked. i made my first dichroic pendant today, probably nottechnically good but i think it is ace.

hope this helps