Which kiln would you recommend?

The Tartan Trout · June 09, 2013, 08:30:42 PM

Thank you everyone. The Maxi/Maxine is by far the winner. I have emailed Lee. Now I just need to sell my existing one

Lee - Kilncare · June 11, 2013, 01:53:57 PM

and another excellent choice

Now then with regards to paint. Back in the good old eighties all our kilns were done with a standard Hammerite and one never set on fire....however....do bear in mind ALL paints have a flash point where they ignite and bead annealing is one of the warmer applications for kiln paint.
Exhaust manifold paint is a good one but I hope you like red or silver

The Tartan Trout · June 11, 2013, 01:58:37 PM

Ooh red with silver highlights

no?

In that case I will stick to red

Jennie Lamb · June 11, 2013, 07:52:07 PM

Yep a vote for the MAXI on my wishlist, I love my Bead Cube as you know but this is on my shopping list for later in the year! And having experienced first hand a drama with my kiln that Kilncare sorted a few days before Christmas they absolutley have my vote!

SueP · June 11, 2013, 09:50:48 PM

I'm persuaded as well - already have a hobby fuser - SC2 is getting too small

need to save some pennies first - can I get the maxi with out the controller?

Pat from Canvey · June 12, 2013, 08:01:08 AM

I'm waiting for Lee to come up with a vitrigraph kiln,

Lilacpixie · June 16, 2013, 08:56:07 PM

the kiln question drives me mad. I am saving for my 'first' kiln and the whole beadcube v's sc2 was my main issue but now i'm going to fusing classes and really wanting to slump too i'm wondering if I should go maxi/Maxine or bluebird.. Arrrgh

June · June 16, 2013, 09:27:49 PM

I didn't think you could use the maxi/maxine or bluebird for fusing? I'm sure somebody will confirm

flame n fuse · June 16, 2013, 09:50:25 PM

Quote from: Lilacpixie on June 16, 2013, 08:56:07 PM
the kiln question drives me mad. I am saving for my 'first' kiln and the whole beadcube v's sc2 was my main issue but now i'm going to fusing classes and really wanting to slump too i'm wondering if I should go maxi/Maxine or bluebird.. Arrrgh

you can fuse and slump in a SC2

Pat from Canvey · June 16, 2013, 10:49:44 PM

Lee's site says the maximum temperature for the Maxine is 650 deg C The Bluebird is apparently a 650 deg C one too so no fusing.

mizgeorge · June 16, 2013, 11:06:25 PM

I think the bluebird XL goes up to fusing temperatures?

Angie · June 17, 2013, 12:00:20 AM

I have gone from a bead cbe to a maxine and am really pleased with it. I had heard that you could use the controller from BC to Maxine but Lee tells me that is not possible as there have been changes to the controller preventing this, thought I'd mention it in case anyone was thinking of doing this, but then again, if you will need to sell the bead cube to buy the maxine, it doesnt really matter. I love my Maxine.

Lee - Kilncare · June 17, 2013, 09:27:26 AM

Quote from: Pat from Canvey on June 12, 2013, 08:01:08 AM
I'm waiting for Lee to come up with a vitrigraph kiln,

We looked at doing one of these a decade ago and found it not possible. Well not possible to make at a price that anyone would pay.

The problem is this. You fill the plant pot or whatever with glass, fire it up, the pot breaks, the glass touches an element, the glass conducts the electricity and you then stick your metal forks or whatever into the tingly glass.
Flamin rare I agree, but that's what we are up against.
The kiln would need some careful design and preventative measures / materials to stop the risk of this....and that costs money.

A vitrigraph is basically a top loader with a hole drilled in the bottom.

We looked into this with insulation specialists, element specialists and HSE type people and no one was happy to proceed.

I guess there is a reason why no European makers make one as I know to. America plays by very different rules than we do remember.

Lee - Kilncare · June 17, 2013, 09:30:44 AM

Quote from: June on June 16, 2013, 09:27:49 PM
I didn't think you could use the maxi/maxine or bluebird for fusing? I'm sure somebody will confirm

Nope, MAXI and Bluebird are annealers only. I do believe the Bluebird XL will go hotter, to about 815c I think.

Lee - Kilncare · June 17, 2013, 09:32:20 AM

Quote from: Angie on June 17, 2013, 12:00:20 AM
I have gone from a bead cbe to a maxine and am really pleased with it. I had heard that you could use the controller from BC to Maxine but Lee tells me that is not possible as there have been changes to the controller preventing this, thought I'd mention it in case anyone was thinking of doing this, but then again, if you will need to sell the bead cube to buy the maxine, it doesnt really matter. I love my Maxine.

Yup, new MAXI now runs on a different version of the KCR1. Correct. Bead Cube and MAXI KCR1s are no longer compatible.

Sorry about that gang.