stacking beads int the SC2 kiln

[firedinglass]

I really don't seem to be able to put many beads in the sc2 using the bead rack.  What do most of you do , I loke to feed my beads in as i make them and the rack seems to move all around  the place as i put a bead in, does anyone else have the same problem?  I'm wondering if it's just the position i feed them in from sitting.... i find that about 8-10 largish beads is it for space.  What is this 'kebab' method?  is it just stacking them to the side as they have cooled.  Is it just me

[Mary]

The kebab method is for spacers or batch annealing, several beads on one mandrel.

with the rack, once the beads have been in a while you can pile them up to one side to give yourself more space. Just watch if you're using rubino or enamels, they can stay "sticky" at annealling temps.

[firedinglass]

Thanks mary I thought that might be it.  I wish there was a way of making the rack stay in position , because it isn't as wide as the kiln, if you put a bead in from the side the rack seems to move with the slightest pressure...... anyway i guess i'll  have to move my kiln/sitting position or learn to live with it...

[Trudi]

I don't use a rack  - I have an ordinary tile on the bottom and when I'm ready to put in the kiln I make sure the bead has stiffened, and put it spaced out on the tile. As I make the next bead I move the one before over to the left hand side and tend to stack them!

From reading Mary's post I'll be careful with Rubino!!

If I batch anneal I layer 2 tiles (propped up with tiny pots) and just spread the beads out!

HTH!

[Katiequiggle]

I've only had my kiln on as I'm working twice.  I tend to batch anneal and I sling all my beads into a pyrex dish piled up on each other and aneal them that way.  Never had a problem with it.

[Dragonfire Glass]

I don't use a rack  - I have an ordinary tile on the bottom and when I'm ready to put in the kiln I make sure the bead has stiffened, and put it spaced out on the tile. As I make the next bead I move the one before over to the left hand side and tend to stack them!

Me too 

[fionaess]

Pyrex dish here as well for batch annealing - works brilliantly

[Yellow friend]

I used to do a lot of enamelling, so I have utilised one of the metal mesh thingies you would put the piece on to initially fire, turned it upside down and put it on one of those kiln tiles.  I then use 2 lengths of mandrel so you can reach nearer the back with the longer mandrels and manage to stuff in up to about 20 beads, more if you do a load of spacers. The mandrel sits nicely between the metal wires. These can be bought from Diatherm/Vitrum Signum.

Shelia

[firedinglass]

Thankyou so much sheila, I'll look them up

[Wishing Wells Glass]

I actually started using a rack b/c I wasn't getting enough space without it!  I fill the lower level first then the upper level.  As everyone else has said, I put a fresh bead in without it touching anything and constantly move previous bead over to stack on top of each other.

I *do* have to be careful not to jostle the rack around.  I open the bead door and get low enough to look inside the kiln and carefully position each new bead. 

It works great for me   And I make plenty of big beads!

x

[Dragonfire Glass]

I have a steel mesh that fits the width of the kiln.
I put them up the top until I get to the other side then pop them down a bi and put th next ones on the top again.
Fiddly sometimes, but it keeps the beads apart. No problems at all so far 

[Pat from Canvey]

I sawed a bit off the end of a rod rack and use that in the kiln sometimes. Others I space out the beads then stack to make a space for the next bead. If it's a large rose I'm making, I open the kiln door wearing my kiln gloves and pop the rose or other large bead inside and quickly shut the door.

[turnedlight]

I lay them on the bottom, I rarely do a long enough session to run out of space! The other day though, I opened the door to put one in, and another two slithered out and onto the floor - I grabbed one and put it back (hot mandrel, ouch!) and spent what seemed like an age hunting for the other! I eventually found it melthing into the side of a power cable.. so anyway, now I make extra sure they're in far enough!

[Dragonfire Glass]

I eventually found it melthing into the side of a power cable..

Yep, been there - only in my case its a tiny bit of carpet 

[firedinglass]

Oh no kathryn.......    Thanks for the tip Pam, I think i might try that as an alternative when making xtra large beads!