How on earth do you decide which kiln!!

[ARBeads]

If you've not got a bead door you can chop mandrels down to fit in kiln, hold them in a pinvice whilst forming bead. Release and chuck them in. A pair of long handled barbecue tongs can then be used to shuffle them around.

[mizgeorge]

I don't think anyone has chipped in for the beadcube yet - and I have to say for a first kiln, it really can't be beaten. That's why you almost never see them come up for sale - not least because if you decide to upgrade to a maxi/ne you can keep the same controller, which saves quite a big on the cost of the new one. If you did want to sell it on, they keep their value amazingly well.

I can do bits of mini fusing in mine, as well as fire metal clay on the extremely rare occasions I feel so inclined and have never had a problem with running out of space in a session. I've been totally delighted with it from day one. I'd add that I previously had an SC2 and chose to replace it with the cube simply for the tiny footprint, separate controller and portability.

I'd also say that the service from Kilncare is second to none. Lee is one of the nicest, most helpful blokes you could ever wish to deal with, and the aftersales service is just fantastic.

[Barnacle Bay]

I'd also say that the service from Kilncare is second to none. Lee is one of the nicest, most helpful blokes you could ever wish to deal with, and the aftersales service is just fantastic.

I second that  - Lee is a really nice bloke and the rest of the guy's!  The bead cube looks a lovely kiln 

If you've not got a bead door you can chop mandrels down to fit in kiln, hold them in a pinvice whilst forming bead. Release and chuck them in. A pair of long handled barbecue tongs can then be used to shuffle them around.

That is very innovative idea - me learning lots - thanks Nicknaks Designs for starting this thread 

[helbels]

I love my beadcube too - and I'll say that if space is an issue for you then it really can't be beaten - you can even pop it away in a cupboard once you're done.

I've only filled it twice in the three years or so I've had it - its much more capacious than you'd think, unless you specialise in large focals.

[Glyn Burton]

Its next to impossible to find 1 kiln which does everything well, its always a compromise. I would buy the biggest I can afford. I agree with the others the service at Kilncare is outstanding, I have a maxine for bead making and love it to bits but other kilns to do other jobs.

[Zeldazog]

  Janet  I would also like a vitrograph kiln and a kiln that can cope with porcelain, sadly I will not get either of these. Janet

The Caldera goes t0 about 1290 Centrigrade I believe, and can be used as a vitrigraph kiln too as the base can be removed I think.

[Barnacle Bay]

I would buy the biggest I can afford.

I have to say I do agree with that!

[Zeldazog]

I'd also say consider a bead cube.

As George says, they never come up for sale, which means people keep hold of them! 

Whilst it's okay trying to future proof your purchase, you will NEVER get one kiln that does it all (well, I guess that's not strictly true, the Bead Cube, the SC2 and others do cover bead annealing, enameling, silver clay, fusing... but only small, so still don't really cover all bases) 

Someone might say they want to buy something bigger on the basis that they might want to fuse a big plate sometime in the future, but have they tried fusing and do they like it/get on with it and how often will they actually be using the full footprint?  If you're fairly near the start of your bead making journey, you will have plenty of experimenting to do to keep you occupied for quite a while yet!  Besides, you can always hire kiln space if needed.Likewise, someone might consider a Maxine because they want to make loads of beads, but when will that day come that it's needed?  Do you need to buy a mahoosive kiln but that can't do anything other than anneal beads?

As Emma says, you have to make your decision based on what you're mainly going to use it for, otherwise, you will be going round in circles for ever more.

Even though I absolutely love my Hobbyfuser, I would still like A) a Bead Cube for samples, enameling, bead annealing.  B) a specific ceramics kiln for, well, ceramics, and they're good for cast pieces as they're usually deeper.  Then of course, C) a big, human sized flat bed glass kiln for when I want to do several large plates or one giant piece... oh, and I always D) fancied the Paragon Home Artist so I have a mobile kiln for classes.... and a E) Caldera or similar to have a go a vitrigraph.... 

Maybe I should just go and live in in the Kiln Care factory 

[jeannette]

I would buy the biggest I can afford.

Orrrrrr by the smallest and cheapest you can get away with because one is never enough!

I went for the biggest I could afford - I think Glynn twisted my arm - and he's right...now I want to fuse something the size of a door and can't...not that I could afford a kiln for that!! But, I did struggle with the argument that if I had a small one and then went for bigger I might be able to keep both!

It's a traumatic decision, but you probably have one your belly is telling you to buy - I went with that in the end Then I had to get him indoors to re-arrange the garage and now I need a studio!

You won't go wrong with what's recommended here, but there will be compromise if you want something to do more than one thing. You won't lose an awful lot of money if you want to sell it and try another, they hold their value amazingly well if you take care of them.

I realise that I have waffled on and not helped! I'll get my coat.

[Shades of Colour]

I bought a SC2 about 8 months ago and have grown out of it.  It will be fine if you are just looking at annealing your beads and making small jewellery bits but if you decide to go into making larger items I can get a coaster into it but only one at a time and the biggest bowl/plate I can get in their is 16cm.  I'm now having to make the decision whether to go for something bigger or stick with what I have!!!!!

[Flyingcheesetoastie]

Dunno if I'm much help having just bought my 4th kiln.... 

But I also have a Beadcube and although I don't make beads that often, I have done everything else in this little kiln.  From fusing, slumping, casting to silverclay.  The only downside is it doesn't go hot enough for ceramics.

[June]

I have an SC2 as I wanted the capability for fusing, should I want to try that. I also batch anneal and would not need a maxine as I never make nearly enough beads in one go for one of those. So a couple of months ago I decided to give fusing a go and agree that an SC2 is fine for small bits, but I quickly realised I wanted something a bit bigger. I have now been lucky enough to get a Skutt Firebox 14 second hand and am in the process of doing some test pieces to get used to it, but so far it's great    However, I won't be getting rid of the SC2 as I will still use this for beads. So, as has been said, you need to consider what you want and go from there 

[Nicknack]

I've got an SC2 with a bead door.  I use it for garaging beads and fusing.  I started my love affair with glass with a microwave kiln, and still use it for some small things, like earrings, but use the SC2 more.  I've recently started making some coaster/trivet type thingies, and find that if I put one in the corner of the shelf I can get several pendants/earrings around it, so kill two birds with one stone (or something like that).  I dare say that one day I may want to fuse something bigger, and hope to have enough money to buy a bigger kiln then, but for now the SC2 does me just right!

Nick

[Niki Gough]

I have ordered the Bead Cube

I decided that as they both do the same things and that space is an issue and I do like the bigger door on the Cube to go for that one. So excited now

Thank you so much for all the replies and really pleased this thread has been useful for others x

[Lee - Kilncare]

Personally I think you have made a wise decision...but then again I would wouldn't I