Kiln with bead door?

[GaysieMay]

I know this will probably generate some differing opinions, but I'm going to buy a kiln with a bead door shortly and wondered which the most popular might be?  Or if there are any you thik I should avoid like the plague

Thanks Gay x

[Studio Girl]

Hi Gay
I bought a paragon SC2 with bead door about 2 years ago and I am very happy with it I hardly ever use the bead door as I mostly batch anneal but it is there if I need it
I must say that in hind sight I should have bought a blue bird or similar simply because of the amount of beads I make and I know we are all the same (totally obsessed when it come to making beads LOL) hope this helps
Good Luck  Margaret xx

[GaysieMay]

Thanks hun, I already have a hotstart which I bought for fusing, its great for batch annealing but I lose a lot of larger beads in my fire blanket, so thought if I could put them straight in a bead door this would help.  Hindsight is a wonderful thing, also wish I'd bought a bluebird from the off, as I hardly ever fuse larger pieces now

[poledra1958]

I have not got it yet but I am looking at the Prometheus Pro-7  at Tuffnells.  It is the same size as the paragon SC2 on the outside but has a slightly larger internal size and it is cheaper. 

I currently have the Prometheus Pro-1 which I brought to do Art Clay work and have used for batch annealing and it has been a good kiln which is why I am looking at getting the Pro-7.

Jenny

[dinah46]

I would absolutely recommend the maxi
http://www.kilncare.co.uk/kilns_glass_beadannealing_maxiprofessionalkiln.html

especially if you get the pink version - it's just such a cheerful sight

I also have a paragon which I bought first (as well as a larger fusing kiln) but tbh the maxi knocks spots off the paragon as a bead annealing kiln as it has been designed absolutely for the task.

[GaysieMay]

Thanks Jenny and Dianne, followed the link and pink is definitely me!  Will go to Tuffnells site and check out the promotheus.

Gay x

[Trudi]

I guess it would depend on size really - I have an SC2 and love it, when you stack you can get a lot of beads in there!

If I wanted bigger, I'd go for the Maxi!

It also depends what else you might want to do with the kiln, I'm not sure, but I don't think you can fuse in the maxi (correct me if I'm wrong) but you can in the SC2. I just wish Kilncare would make a kiln in betweent the cube and the maxi!

As for the promotheus - I did see one and given the choice, I'd stick with the SC2 as the bead door is much better on the SC2 (IMHO) and for the few £'s difference it's worth it!

[Lush!]

I love my Kilncare Maxi, ohhhh yesss  

(its true you can't fuse or slump in it though, only goes up to about 650 degrees I think)

[dinah46]

I love my Kilncare Maxi, ohhhh yesss  

(its true you can't fuse or slump in it though, only goes up to about 650 degrees I think)

but it's so gorgeous

Fusing with a bead door isn't the best solution anyway as there is always a cooler spot nearer the door so causes uneven fusing.  For doing both the caldera is still a good choice though I know many people have reservations about it's design.  I am loathe to get rid of my caldera even though I would never use it for beads again as it is great for doing small batches of fusing when I don't want to fill and fire my big kiln.

[GaysieMay]

Thank you ladies, I think I can feel a decision coming on