Using kiln for the first time

Started by DragonflyLynne, January 04, 2008, 06:23:43 PM

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DragonflyLynne

January 04, 2008, 06:23:43 PM
Hi guys!

Do I have to fire my kiln empty before I put any beads in to anneal?

I haven't forgotten my promise to show my best effort ( ::)) that I produce over Christmas, but it isn't 12th night yet!! And things aren't going well, lol! I'm trying to get used to my mandrel spinner.

Thank you.   ;D


for chain maille supplies, kits & workshops, bespoke headpins, earwires and more! Meddle ye not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crispy and taste good with ketchup! Dragonfly (Lynne)

mariag

#1
January 04, 2008, 07:01:06 PM
Hi Lynne, yes it's best to fire the kiln empty as this gets rid of any nasty smells. Make sure that you leave the cone out so that the smell can escape, but you'll need to leave it in for all other firings!!
Do you have a Paragon kiln as there are some really useful threads on here & some videos on Paragon's website ;D

DragonflyLynne

#2
January 04, 2008, 07:32:53 PM
Thank you Maria!

Yes, it is a Paragon. I'm off to search this sit and check the website.   ;D


for chain maille supplies, kits & workshops, bespoke headpins, earwires and more! Meddle ye not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crispy and taste good with ketchup! Dragonfly (Lynne)

mariag

#3
January 04, 2008, 07:51:02 PM
Lynne here are a couple of threads on the SC2......they were the only way that I could pluck up the courage to fire up my kiln!!

http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=859.0
http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=861.0

& this is the videos part of the Paragon site http://www.paragonweb.com/videos.cfm

glassworks

#4
January 04, 2008, 08:01:10 PM
hi lynne, the smells from the first firing are IMMENSE!!!! best to fire it in a place where you can open all the windows and let all the fumes out!.. the paint on the outside, and the fibre on the inside both give off very VERY powerful fumes so don't panic when you think the whle thing is melting down!... LOL..

these are a lot of users of paragon's on here so please post if anything happens that you do not expect, or are not sure of!...  ;) ;) ;D

oh, and lets see some pics!!!!!

DragonflyLynne

#5
January 04, 2008, 09:05:16 PM
Thank you both very much.

I'm glad that you have warned me that the smell is sooooo bad! I would have been worrying!

I'm trying to work out my schedule for batch annealing. I've looked at a lot, and they do seem to vary tremendously! I think I'm just going to pick one that is used by someone on this forum who makes gorgeous beads!

Thanks again!  ;D


for chain maille supplies, kits & workshops, bespoke headpins, earwires and more! Meddle ye not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crispy and taste good with ketchup! Dragonfly (Lynne)

DragonflyLynne

#6
January 04, 2008, 09:12:27 PM
The video link is very helpful!!

I'm going to fire it up tomorrow, with all the windows open!

Thanks again!   ;D


for chain maille supplies, kits & workshops, bespoke headpins, earwires and more! Meddle ye not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crispy and taste good with ketchup! Dragonfly (Lynne)

mariag

#7
January 04, 2008, 10:27:15 PM
Lynne, I've only batch annealed & I've used Helen P's schedule as the instruction booklet was far too complicated.
Definitely open the windows (sorry I forgot to mention that!!) as it does whiff a fair bit ;D

DragonflyLynne

#8
January 04, 2008, 10:31:20 PM
Quote from: mariag on January 04, 2008, 10:27:15 PM
Lynne, I've only batch annealed & I've used Helen P's schedule as the instruction booklet was far too complicated.
Definitely open the windows (sorry I forgot to mention that!!) as it does whiff a fair bit ;D

I'm going to be batch annealing too.

I hope it's not too cold tomorrow, with all those windows open!  ;D ;D ;D


for chain maille supplies, kits & workshops, bespoke headpins, earwires and more! Meddle ye not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crispy and taste good with ketchup! Dragonfly (Lynne)

flowerjasper

#9
January 05, 2008, 12:30:48 PM
this is helping me too,
i have a kiln and with xmas and being a scardy cat havent fired it up!!
the instruction booklet as you say is complicated, it would be sooo much easier to watch some one,
good luck tomorrow!
love your chain maille kits by the way, you will be getting an order from me for  a byzantine bracelet kit,
i really want to make one for my other half for valentines, so might need advice regarding ring sizes that would look good on a 6ft 4 man!!
sandy

DragonflyLynne

#10
January 05, 2008, 01:27:46 PM
Quote from: flowerjasper on January 05, 2008, 12:30:48 PM
this is helping me too,
i have a kiln and with xmas and being a scardy cat havent fired it up!!
the instruction booklet as you say is complicated, it would be sooo much easier to watch some one,
good luck tomorrow!
love your chain maille kits by the way, you will be getting an order from me for  a byzantine bracelet kit,
i really want to make one for my other half for valentines, so might need advice regarding ring sizes that would look good on a 6ft 4 man!!
sandy

Hi Sandy, it's good to have company getting used to the kiln. I find it all a bit scary too.

I'm glad you like the kits. I'll certainly help you with the ring sizes, no problem!

Here's to us kiln newbies having a successful first firing.  ;D ;D ;D


for chain maille supplies, kits & workshops, bespoke headpins, earwires and more! Meddle ye not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crispy and taste good with ketchup! Dragonfly (Lynne)

DragonflyLynne

#11
January 05, 2008, 05:38:38 PM
Well, it's programmed and heating up. And the house is still standing  ;D

Why was I so nervous of it? The programming was easy. It threw me at first - I had all my temperatures ready in Fahrenheit as I bought the kiln in America, but it was expecting them in Centigrade so I had to do some hasty conversions. It was made for UK voltage, so I guess they assumed I would want to use centigrade. The handbook explained how to change the controller back to centigrade, which involved removing it. I thought it was easier to convert my temps to centigrade! Although DH (who loves gadgets) was itching to remove it and change it back to fahrenheit.  :D

Thank you for your help and for holding my hand. It should switch itself off around midnight. I'm going to be checking the temp display all evening!


for chain maille supplies, kits & workshops, bespoke headpins, earwires and more! Meddle ye not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crispy and taste good with ketchup! Dragonfly (Lynne)

Zeldazog

#12
January 05, 2008, 06:13:47 PM
Quote from: DragonflyLynne on January 05, 2008, 05:38:38 PM
(snip) I had all my temperatures ready in Fahrenheit as I bought the kiln in America, but it was expecting them in Centigrade so I had to do some hasty conversions. It was made for UK voltage, so I guess they assumed I would want to use centigrade.

My Skutt kiln can change from Centigrade to Fanrenheit at the push of a button  ;D (well a few, but no taking controllers off)

Handy I suppose if I can't be bothered to convert......

June

#13
January 05, 2008, 06:25:19 PM
Lynne, we've just fired our SC2 up today, too.  Set it off on the first dry run and, so far, so good !  Tomorrow will try Mary's suggested program with one or two beads and see how it goes.....  ;D

DragonflyLynne

#14
January 05, 2008, 06:49:23 PM
Quote from: zeldazog on January 05, 2008, 06:13:47 PMMy Skutt kiln can change from Centigrade to Fanrenheit at the push of a button  ;D (well a few, but no taking controllers off)

Handy I suppose if I can't be bothered to convert......

Very handy! Much better than undoing screws and removing the controller to get to the back of it.  ;D


Quote from: June on January 05, 2008, 06:25:19 PM
Lynne, we've just fired our SC2 up today, too.  Set it off on the first dry run and, so far, so good !  Tomorrow will try Mary's suggested program with one or two beads and see how it goes.....  ;D

Good luck to us!! heehee! I'm going to anneal a few tomorrow too. I keep checking the temp, and so far so good!  ;D


for chain maille supplies, kits & workshops, bespoke headpins, earwires and more! Meddle ye not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crispy and taste good with ketchup! Dragonfly (Lynne)
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