Kiln for a beginner?

Lynnybobs · July 18, 2011, 12:35:36 PM

Looking for advice on what kiln to go for as a beginner.

I'm thinking of investing in a beadcube as the feedback on here seems to be very positive and its small enough for my shedio plus good customer service for any problems.

What are your experiences/opinions please ?

Thanks

SilverGems89 · July 18, 2011, 12:43:36 PM

I'd say a beadcube if all you plan on doing is annealing, if you think you might ever want a go at fusing then an SC2 (or you know kiln care might hypothetically one day have an equivalent

) would also be a good alternative

feebee64 · July 18, 2011, 12:51:24 PM

We are new to lampwork too, managed without a kiln for a couple of months, but realised we should anneal our beads properly. We got the Paragon S2 with a bead door - its a nice size for beads but also gives me the option of doing some glass fusing in the future. Obviously it will only be for small items but I want to concentrate on jewellery anyway.
I have been really pleased with it - and with helpful info on here have had no problems programming it.

Lotti · July 18, 2011, 01:39:30 PM

I loved my bead cube.

Blue Box Studio · July 18, 2011, 03:51:21 PM

Depends how large you can go. I saw a Beadcube and thought it too small, especially if you think you might ever move on to bigger beads and focals. I bought an SC2, would have loved a Maxi but I didn't have space for that.

Lotti · July 18, 2011, 04:20:15 PM

Sue's absolutely right, I did love my bead cube but it is little. If you want to make lots and lots of beads and/or make big beads the cube, lovely as it is, is a bit small. I bought mine in December and have just upgraded to a Maxi and wish I had spent the money at the start (but then I didn't know I was going to be making 32mm lentils most of the time). Also the Maxi is pretty big so if space is limited it might not be a good plan. Sorry don't know much about the SC2 or the others.

mizgeorge · July 18, 2011, 04:38:24 PM

I love my beadcube. It will happily do little bits of fusing, enamelling and metal clay firing as well. I particularly like the tiny footprint, and the separate controller.

Nikki · July 18, 2011, 05:02:50 PM

I love my bead cube, it even came pre-programmed so it was so easy to get started

Lotti · July 18, 2011, 05:06:53 PM

Quote from: Nikki on July 18, 2011, 05:02:50 PM
I love my bead cube, it even came pre-programmed so it was so easy to get started

A very definate postive for me and the service from Lee at Kiln Care is second to none