2 possible kilns - advice needed!!

NRichards · October 05, 2010, 08:35:20 AM

Hello,

Me again!

Just a quick question, having gone off the idea of getting a ceramics kiln for fusing glass I'm now just looking at glass kilns.

Between the Paragon Fusion 16 and the Paragon Fusion 8 kilns, which do you lovely people recommend as being the best as a first kiln?

Look forward to your hearing from you!

Thanks
Naomi

Zeldazog · October 05, 2010, 10:04:44 AM

IIRC the Fusion 8 comes in a 13amp plug version and a hardwired (cooker connection type) version, so that's something to consider.

Otherwise, they're the same controller, the same manufacturer, so really the only difference is the dimensions and price.

Lee - Kilncare · October 05, 2010, 01:04:10 PM

Hi Naomi, without going down the road of shameless self promotion, if you are considering the Paragon 16, then for around £100 more you can get the Hobbyfuser.
Slightly bigger floor area, 3 year guarrentee on ALL parts including the elements and British built.
Try a Kilncare agent and you may even get that £100 reduced a little.
http://www.kilncare.co.uk/kilns_glass_fusingandslumping_hobbyfuserandhobbyfusermidi.html

As I said, not meaning to take advantage of the forum and if the Paragon 8 was the only kiln mentioned then I'd have kept quiet but the Fusion 16 is so near to the Hobbyfuser that I thought it worth a mention.

NRichards · October 05, 2010, 05:37:52 PM

Hi Lee,
Thanks for your comment, would the hobbyfuser plug into a domestic socket? I've since realised the Fusion 8 I was looking at getting second hand would need wiring in, as I am in rented accommodation and tight for space I need a kiln that'll plug straight in with no problems. I am ideally looking for a kiln that comes with all the furniture I need to get going.
I am interested in the Fusion 16 as at £748.91 + VAT it would still be under £1000 and comes with furniture to get me going.

Thanks
Naomi

Zeldazog · October 05, 2010, 05:57:31 PM

Where have you seen it for that?? That seems a great price.

Lee - Kilncare · October 06, 2010, 02:44:51 PM

Yes pal the Hobbyfuser is plug in and the cheapest Paragon 16 is £955 plus V.A.T. so it is worth checking there are no mistakes with the low price. It does sound too good to be true

Moreton · October 06, 2010, 06:14:01 PM

Posting here in case you missed my other post

Look at this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280569668960&ssPageName=STRK:

A bargain, perfect for fusing and runs on an ordinary 13 Amp domestic socket. You won't get bigger or better.

You wont regret buying this. KilnCare products rarely come up on E-bay. This is only the third I have ever seen in 7 years of looking. I bought one of them and it is an absolute gem.

Lee - Kilncare · October 07, 2010, 09:52:37 AM

Wow, one of ours on E-bay. Correct Moreton, a rare beast. It is most odd considering the numbers of kilns we sell yearly.

Now then, a quick insider info. The plug in FK3 is the biggest possible kiln you can fire on a 13 amp plug which in turn makes it quite slow when needing full speed. Not too much of an issue and as yet we have never had any complaints.

It is what you see. A full stand alone unit. On wheels and legs. It is the baby brother of our FK range and is built in the same way with the same materials.
And yes, it is ruddy expensive new. £2600 with V.A.T. !!

The question is.....is it twice as good as the Hobbyfuser for half the price....to be honest...no. But it does offer a bigger capacity. Also, being a Pearsons version it was done in grey, had a lower shelf to the stand and had the VERY expensive Bentrup TC 405/30. Regarded by many as the best "art" programmer available. In reality it is a little over the top for the FK3 but a new 405/30 is in excess of £450 on it's own nowadays.

Certainy if it's around £5-600 then a bargain it is.

I didn't notice if it said the age on E-bay but it has to be a minimum of about 3 years old as our new vented stainless roof has been about for around that long now.
Check the last 2 numbers of the serial number, that's the year it was made.

Moreton · October 07, 2010, 11:11:46 AM

Hi Lee, I'm the guy that came to you for advice on making a new lid for my Webcot and the socket for my FK4.
All going well, socket installed on my home made connection box to use ST501 with 13Amp kilns and lid progressing.....slowly

.
Thanks for all you help and free advice. Saved me a lot of expensive mistakes.
One reason that your kilns don't appear on E-bay is probably that they do the job so well and last so well that purchases never need to replace them.

Regards, Pete

Lee - Kilncare · October 07, 2010, 11:40:12 AM

Quote from: Moreton on October 07, 2010, 11:11:46 AM
Hi Lee, I'm the guy that came to you for advice on making a new lid for my Webcot and the socket for my FK4.
All going well, socket installed on my home made connection box to use ST501 with 13Amp kilns and lid progressing.....slowly .
Thanks for all you help and free advice. Saved me a lot of expensive mistakes.
One reason that your kilns don't appear on E-bay is probably that they do the job so well and last so well that purchases never need to replace them.

Regards, Pete

HA HA Pete, I remember it well. Glad you got it all sorted. Not everyone gets tricks of the trade like you did pal

Glad to hear all is O.K.

Lee

NRichards · October 07, 2010, 08:41:55 PM

I found the fusion 16 for that cheap price on hobbiceramicraft and since then a glass specialist has agreed to price match. Out of stock til dec though. I dont have a huge amount of space in my old cornish cob cottage! I'll have a proper read of your replies when i have some time over the weekend. Thanks for all your help.