Uhlig U5P Bead Annealing Kiln & Efco 50191 Controller.

[Liesly]

Hello

I am  about to buy a kiln and wondered if any one uses a Uhlig U5P Bead Annealing Kiln & Efco 50191 Controller, and if so are you happy with it, or should I pay a little more and buy a bead cube?

Thanks

Liesl

[Diane]

Hi - don't know much about the Uhlig kiln but do know that there have been several threads on here lately about a variety of kilns.  Do know that Lee of Kilncare is one of the best people to ask - although he sells the beadcube you will always get an honest answer from him - know that from recent experience - and their service is second to none.

[Liesly]

Thanks Dianne

[Zeldazog]

Don't know that kiln/controller, so I googled for it - is this what you're considering:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JEWELLERS-MUFFLE-KILN-CONTROLLER-PMC-GLASS_W0QQitemZ180456177790QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Crafts_JewelleryMaking_GL?hash=item2a0406c07e

If it is, then, personally I would spend the extra money and go for a Beadcube, where you'll get a proper digital controller.

As far as I can see, this is an infinite switch controller - this means turn the dial anywhere between 1 and 10, in other words slow through to fast, or warm through to hot (yes, its that vague) and it will heat up.  I can't see even a pyrometer, so you won't know what temperature the kiln is at, which is ESSENTIAL, otherwise don't bother annealing.

Even if it has got a pyrometer, unless you have a digital controller which controls the ramps and holds, you will have to kiln sit throughout the whole annealing cycle - fine whilst you're beading, but do you really want to sit there for several hours afterwards to control the cool down rate.

Modified to add:

Forgot to say:  Hi! and welcome to the forum - try reading through the kiln doctor threads, I know these jewellers kilns with "controllers" have come up a couple of times recently, think JoRhodes started one thread, and Cara another, so take a look here:

Kiln Doctor

[Zeldazog]

Just to quickly add, I have browsed around for this controller - and whilst it *may* have a temperature read out and thermostat (so, when it reaches temp, it will hold at that) but still, that does mean you have to sit by your kiln to change the temp at each state...

[Liesly]

Thanks for that advice, I have had a good look through the kiln doctor info and have decided to get a Bead Cube, looking forward to finally start making beads.

Liesl x

[Lee - Kilncare]

Hi, welcome. It's true, the controller you mention really has no idea what temperature the kiln is. It just turns the power on and off a regular intervals.
If you set it to be full on it will never turn off. If you set it to half powere it will be on for 20 secs and off for 20 secs or so and if you set it to 3/4 power it will be on for 30 secs or so and off for 10 secs etc.
The only way of knowing the temperature is by taking an optional temperature guage, which does not offer any control at all.
As far as I'm concerned, selling the UP5 with this type of control is about as useful as a chocolate fireplace.

How do I know? We are the EFCO main distributor and there isn't too much we don't know about these things.

As has been mentioned, The Bead Cube system is put together to do anything a Beader would want. Press go in the morning and in theory you won't need to touch it again, other than opening the door, until you remove your fully annealed beads the next day.

[Zeldazog]

I think you should put me on commission, Lee   

[Lee - Kilncare]

I think you should put me on commission, Lee   

[Lush!]

I think you should put me on commission, Lee   

And ME!   (just sent another newcomer off possibly in your direction  )

[Lee - Kilncare]