How do you use the bead door on a paragon SC2 safely?!

[Purple Cobwebs]

I've attached the little silver rod holder outside the door. I've put the solid block insode on its legs.

But today, my first play with the kiln reulted in a badly burned finger (ooh the smell of burning flesh!), as I struggled to balance several rods on the holder. Once I'd gone above 7, it got a bit unstable, three fell out, and I instinctively caught one...Ouch!

Sooo....
1) Should I be resting the rods on the holder so that the beads don't sit actually on the shelf?
2) Should I just stick them through the hole and let them sit on the shelf?
3) Should I shut the bead door as far as I can while the rods are in there?

Sorry if I'm been a dumbo. My finger is still throbbing and I don't want to make te same mistake again!

[garishglobes]

Ouch!
I have to say I removed the silver shelf thingy pretty quickly as I thought it was impractical. I just stick the mandrels through the door and let the beads rest on the kiln - I have an inner shelf so they aren't on the floor itself, just in case.
I let the door itself rest on the mandrels, so it is as closed as it can be.

[Black Heart Beads]

I also don't use the outside mandrel holder but have a rack in the kiln, at the back.

[helbels]

Ouch Gaynor, hope you are ok 

I have to say I burnt my carpet with a falling bead last week when a mandrel fell out of my Beadcube.... but I did have about 35 mandrels in there at the time so it was rather full 

[Purple Cobwebs]

Thanks, that is what I was considering doing. I've got the shelf in there so they should be okay.

I can't believe I was so silly!!!!!

Ouch!
I have to say I removed the silver shelf thingy pretty quickly as I thought it was impractical. I just stick the mandrels through the door and let the beads rest on the kiln - I have an inner shelf so they aren't on the floor itself, just in case.
I let the door itself rest on the mandrels, so it is as closed as it can be.

[Purple Cobwebs]

Yes, I ran it under cold water straight away, and luckily I found some burn cream in the first aid box! (I'm not even looking at the use by date LOL!)

Wow, 35 is some going!!!!
x

Ouch Gaynor, hope you are ok 

I have to say I burnt my carpet with a falling bead last week when a mandrel fell out of my Beadcube.... but I did have about 35 mandrels in there at the time so it was rather full 

[Donna@Rockin' Beads]

You poor thing.

I made a rack from stainless steel mesh (very thick mesh). I bent it up at the front and left it higher at the back. That way I can get about 3 mandrels in each column, safely anchored in the mesh.

I'm not sure that makes sense so I'll go and have a look for the photo that someone put on here that gave me the idea.

Found it...
http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1672.0

[Redkite]

I use the external silver rod holder and a rack inside the kiln from Tuffnells:

http://www.tuffnellglass.com/contents/media/t_rod%20rest%20.jpg

The page to buy it is here:

http://www.tuffnellglass.com/contents/en-uk/d26.html

I put beads on 12" mandrels on the top and those on 9" mandrels on the bottom. This leaves enough mandrel sticking out that you can hold the very end without burning yourself when re-arranging and stacking beads

[Purple Cobwebs]

Thank you !!!!
I think I may try the diy rack as I can get to a diy shop this weekend. Though the "proper" one looks good!!!!

[Donna@Rockin' Beads]

The diy rack was soooo easy to make and works a treat. I can cram in 30+ beads without any of them touching ( not brave enough for that yet).