Buying A Kiln

Dear All
at last I've the money saved.... Yipeeeeeeeee

I would like to buy
THE CALDERA-AB: WITH A BEAD-DOOR COLLAR
as I would like to have a go at slumping and fusing, precious metals and maybe in time porcelain and ceramics.
But I'm uncertain, does anyone have one of these? or know anyone that does?

Another thing I'm not sure about, when one makes big beads that you put straight into the kiln via the door, do they stay through the door thing, then once you've finished making, you would then run an annealing process?
hope that makes sense?
One last thing, where can I find out about annealing processes, tried to find out via Google search, but......

Thanks From
Batty

This is my blank face ..... O

Cant help with any info I am afraid as I only have a small Paragon SC2, but how exciting -pleased for you.

Brilliant news Debs! Dont know much about the different types but I can tell you that you can get or make yourself rod rests fir the beads. My best advice would be to call Lee at kilncare. His advice is brilliant and he is a top top bloke, and the cuatomer service is second to none.

Oh and there will be a thread on frit happens for firing schedules etc

Cheers Tinks

Gillian you made I laugh

I second Tinks, kiln care do a kiln the same size as the paragon with a bead door so that would give you a bit of scope to do some of the stuff you want. I would email them or ring them they are soo helpfull.

thanks guys, spoke to a guy at Cherry Heaven, been advised not to get the caldera unless I really want to do ceramic's. He advised the Paragon SC2B.
I'm just to ill at the mo to think straight.
-x-

Sounds about right Debs.
Lee's number is 01782 535915
They come with a little programmer widget - I assume they are all like the beadcube - and they may even have a couple of programs pre-programmed into them like the beadcube does. If not, Lee may just do you a favour and put in the batch and garaging programs for you if you ask nicely. It's all very daunting at first but honestly, it's a piece of cake really.
Know the feeling re the illness hon *hugs*

I have the Paragon SC2 with the bead door. I have only used it a couple of times in the year since I bought it.
It doesnt do ceramics and I regret that it is so small.
I would quite like to slump bottles and a gin bottle will not fit inside.
Lynne has the same kiln and she has used hers far more than me. I bought it to do bronze clay and enamelling. Neither things have I had success with . Will admit I only tried the once and do not really understand how to set a programme on it. Anything that involves numbers baffles me.
nan

I also have the SC2 with bead door and window and use it for firing PMC and fusing/slumping glass.

Small wine bottles, the sort that don't quite hold enough for 2 glasses of wine, and possibly some beer bottles * fit in for slumping, but nothing larger. I make small dishes, coasters and an occasional decorative panel and would love to go bigger but have neither the space nor the money for a larger kiln so will have to be happy with small pieces of art instead of statement pieces The kiln shelf is about 175mm square to give some idea of size.

*Forgot about the slumped Marmite jars

I use the kiln several times a week, sometimes running it day and night for several days when the muse strikes.

Thanks for all your input ladies, I'm still undecided