Kiln question

Hules · September 28, 2009, 10:36:25 AM

Hi everyone.

I'd like to invest in a kiln and was wondering what sort would be the best to go for. I'm just starting with the glass stuff and if beads really take my interest then I'd need something that would be able to anneal. However I do ceramic work too and would also like to get into fusing. This either means I'd need two kilns to get the higher temp needed for ceramics and a kiln with a bead door? or find one that can do both?

I found this kiln in America, but shipping costs would be way too much for me and it may not work with our electrics?? Does anyone know of anything similar over here? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WNDRFL1-E-bead-glass-annealing-ceramic-slumping-kiln_W0QQitemZ320428577663QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a9b08137f&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177 Or does anyone have any advice or suggestions?

Thanks loads!
Julia

Josephine · September 28, 2009, 10:45:31 AM

Why don't you email or phone Lee at Kilncare and ask his advice.

Mary · September 28, 2009, 11:52:59 AM

A lot of the Paragons do both, my SC2 has a bead door and does ceramic temps, though the chamber is quite small. The Caldera is bigger and you can get a bead collar, so you can take the bead door section off for ceramic work.

Hules · September 28, 2009, 12:41:39 PM

Thanks for that Josephine,

, I have done. Though looking on the website there doesn't seem to be anything appropriate for an all rounder!?

Thanks Mary, I've found another kiln that would be suitable A Paragon Xpress E10AB With bead door, that goes to a temperature of 1230oC which is fine for the ceramic stuff I do. Bit pricey for me though. I'd have to get saving if I want this one! I'll have a look at the Caldera range.
Thanks again!

Julia

Zeldazog · September 28, 2009, 05:13:04 PM

So long as you're happy to limit your working size, then Caldera is excellent, as it high fires up to 1260 when used without the bead collar - bit lower with it. It's removable, and you can purchase it seperately, so you could batch anneal to start off with for now, and buy a collar later.

What ceramics do you work with Julia, do you go to stoneware?

I believe Rohde do a kiln that is suitable for both, but its bigger, and undoubtedly more expensive! I can't remember where I saw that, but there is a UK seller.

I think Kilncare's Mercury, Aurora and Comet (?) have glass versions as well as ceramics, not sure whether there's difference is element configuration or mainly controller.

In theory, you can fuse in any kiln that can fire ceramics, but as I am sure you know, you ideally need a full digital controller for glass.

Hope this makes sense, gotta dash!

Hules · September 30, 2009, 10:17:19 PM

Thanks for that

The Caldera does look good and seems to do everything. I do usually work in stoneware, but I can just go for the lower fired glazes. I often glaze small areas and then paint so could even go for earthenware. It's still pretty pricey though - but then so would buying two kilns! Decisions, decisions!
Julia

Zeldazog · September 30, 2009, 10:40:31 PM

Quote from: Hules on September 30, 2009, 10:17:19 PM
Thanks for that
The Caldera does look good and seems to do everything. I do usually work in stoneware, but I can just go for the lower fired glazes. I often glaze small areas and then paint so could even go for earthenware. It's still pretty pricey though - but then so would buying two kilns! Decisions, decisions!
Julia

The trouble is, a bit part of the cost of a kiln that's suitable for glass is the cost of the controller.

Caldera comes in a manual version, as does Firefly and Skutt's Firebox 8 - all similar size (although I don't think Firefly or Firebox can add bead collars, etc) - they have infinite switch and pyrometer, which saves a lot of money - but would involve kiln sitting for glass firing but you could definitely still batch anneal and fuse in them.

A friend of mine (local) *Did* have a Firebox 8 for sale recently, just checked and it goes to 1,100 so you could use for earthenware..... do you want me to see if she's still got it for sale?

Hules · October 02, 2009, 08:51:41 PM

Yes please, that would be good. I'd actually looked it up already and it seems quite a good compromise - not quite hot enough really to do everything but worth considering!
Julia

Zeldazog · October 02, 2009, 08:55:39 PM

Sorry to get your hopes up Julia, apparently she sold it a while ago.

Have ou see the SC2 that someone posted for sale on here the other day, that was a good price, not much good for ceramics though, apart from possibly biscuit firing.

Thinking of ceramics, if you have a lot, did you know that the LE Art Room has a kiln.....its a biggie (unless they have a new one), and I don't know if they do "shared" firings or you have to hire out the whole thing on your own, but might be worth looking into?

Hules · October 02, 2009, 10:32:39 PM

Thanks anyway! I actually have access to a ceramics kiln already, it's just that I'd've liked one at home. Never mind, I'll keep looking.

Julia x