Another Kiln Newbie

k00m · January 06, 2012, 08:00:51 PM

I too am a new kiln owner

thanks to some very generous christmas money from assorted family and I have a thousand and one questions that I was hoping some of you might have some answers/helpful advice.

1) I've got myself the SC2 from Warm Glass and the manual suggests that you place a ceramic tile underneath it.
Is this necessary? Is there anything else I could use instead? If not, does anyone know how I can get hold of 1 large ceramic tile or at least some creative ideas for all the other tiles?!

2) Also, the kiln came with some kind of small board (sandwiched between two bits of cardboard) but I can't find out what kind it is. Does anyone know what type of board it is and whether it would be suitable for just sticking in the bottom of the kiln in case of disasters? (I mean, I assume that as it came with the kiln I should probably be able to use it in the kiln, but I'm finding this kiln much more intimidating than my torch ever was

)

3) Batch annealing: I eventually want to set things up so I can kebab the beads, but until I can get some wire mesh, am I right in remembering that I can anneal in a pyrex dish? I assume if I was to do this I would want to make sure that the beads don't touch, yes?

4a) Is it safe to run the kiln on an extension cable? My torch is in the garden shed, which has no electricity, so if I wanted to use the kiln as I bead an extension cable would be the only way. I've got a fairly heavy duty 8m one that I currently run my extraction and light from, which I'm hoping will be okay, but I haven't found out how much power the kiln needs/uses yet.
4b)Also, the manual mentions something strange about not having any other 'appliances' plugged in on the same circuit while the kiln is firing.

What on earth do they mean by that? Do they mean the same socket, or what? This bit completely bemused and confused me.

Thank you any who can help.

Jellybean · January 06, 2012, 08:09:34 PM

not sure where you are, but I got some great ceramic floor tiles in B&Q sale, 5 for £9. If you're anywhere near Cornwall I have two spare.... They have several offers on in there at the mo, and I think there were some other tiles being sold singly.

Mandy · January 06, 2012, 08:10:36 PM

Congratulations on your new kiln, I too got one for Christmas from warm glass....I have mine sat on a concrete slab.... Will your family notice if you dig up your garden?

poledra1958 · January 06, 2012, 08:23:39 PM

I got my tiles from homebase, a pack of white basic ones something like 144 for £3.00 (6" ones) tiled my work area and where the kiln sits.

Pauline · January 06, 2012, 08:47:39 PM

you can buy large floor tiles singly in wickes, thats what I got.

( ssshhhh I have my kiln on an extension lead with my oxycon)

Glyn Burton · January 06, 2012, 08:57:55 PM

Hi I don't use an SC2 so I have no idea what the 'board thing' is but to answer your other questions the kiln is placed on tiles to prevent it scorching a wooden surface you can put it on bricks, a paving slab, a kiln shelf, fibre board or basically anything that doesn't burn.

Somewhere on your kiln will be a plate which tells you what the KW is. As a rough rule of thumb think that a one bar electric fire is 1KW so that will give you an indication of how much power you are using. If you have lots of appliances on one circuit (a circuit can be a number of sockets) there is a danger that the wires can overheat and cause a fire. Adding up all the wattage used by the appliances on a circuit will give you an idea of your total usage. If you are in any doubt talk to an electrician better safe than sorry.

As for the extension lead if the lead is quite long it can cause a drop in power and you must make sure that it is fully extended and not coiled up as this can over heat but as long as it is in good condition and fitted with a circuit breaker it should be ok.

Remember a kiln is only a small oven with pretensions.

lyzzydee · January 06, 2012, 09:21:35 PM

The white board is fibre board. I put mine on the base of the kiln so the beads don't sit directly on the base of the kiln. It has other uses but thats all I use it for.

I had some left over tiles so I have made up a patch of tiles under my kiln, but I frequently find they come up on freegle.

k00m · January 09, 2012, 12:33:54 PM

Thank you everyone. I've managed to find myself a big ceramic tile and thanks to all your advice finally got brave enough to do a dry run, with the kiln temporarily set up in the kitchen.
I was going to try a batch anneal today, but have just discovered that all of my pyrex dishes are too big for the kiln

. Grumble mumble bloody humph.

Quote from: Mandy on January 06, 2012, 08:10:36 PM
I have mine sat on a concrete slab.... Will your family notice if you dig up your garden?

Hehe. My family wouldn't mind at all, but I have a feeling that my landlord might not like me very much

stuwaudby · January 09, 2012, 12:56:46 PM

You don't need a pyrex dish for annealing. The beads should be quite happy sat on the floor of the kiln, or better the supplied fibre board. Just remember to ramp the kiln the last 100 degrees upto annealing temperature to avoid overshooting. I suggest a test run first, with a few beads spread around.

Trudi · January 09, 2012, 01:11:42 PM

Here's a schedule for you - for soft glass (90-104 COE)

http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/wiki/Annealing#ANNEAL_AS-YOU-GO_.E2.80.93_Paragon_SC2

and I use a bog standard wall tile on the floor of mine - found it in the shed! It's just to protect the floor of the kiln.