If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Beginner's Fusing Kiln
I'm looking for recommendations on a beginner's kiln for fusing. Been
looking at a Jen-Ken jewelry kiln for about $360, infinite switch and analog pyrometer, mostly because the dealer I like for my stained glass is selling these and including an introductory pack of Wasser glass. Looking at 110v kilns only at this time, if this pans out I'd have no problem investing in a better/bigger/stronger/etc. kiln in the future. Thanks for any suggestions, insights, warnings and so on. Jeff |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Jeff Cochran wrote:
I'm looking for recommendations on a beginner's kiln for fusing. Been looking at a Jen-Ken jewelry kiln for about $360, infinite switch and analog pyrometer, mostly because the dealer I like for my stained glass is selling these and including an introductory pack of Wasser glass. Looking at 110v kilns only at this time, if this pans out I'd have no problem investing in a better/bigger/stronger/etc. kiln in the future. Thanks for any suggestions, insights, warnings and so on. Jeff If you're looking to fuse jewelry a jewelry kiln will be fine. If you want to make larger pieces the jewelry kiln will become too small very fast. If you think you will be going larger it might be better to wait to purchase and put the $360 toward a larger kiln. If you can rent kiln space, that may be the best course until you decide whether or not this is for you. -- Jack http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/xmissionbobo/ |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
"nJb" wrote in message ... Jeff Cochran wrote: I'm looking for recommendations on a beginner's kiln for fusing. Been looking at a Jen-Ken jewelry kiln for about $360, infinite switch and analog pyrometer, mostly because the dealer I like for my stained glass is selling these and including an introductory pack of Wasser glass. Looking at 110v kilns only at this time, if this pans out I'd have no problem investing in a better/bigger/stronger/etc. kiln in the future. If you're looking to fuse jewelry a jewelry kiln will be fine. If you want to make larger pieces the jewelry kiln will become too small very fast. If you think you will be going larger it might be better to wait to purchase and put the $360 toward a larger kiln. If you can rent kiln space, that may be the best course until you decide whether or not this is for you. I agree with Jack, that a smaller kiln becomes too small, too fast. I have a Paragon Caldera (digital controller) which is perfect for jewelry (and I expect will be perfect for annealing beads when I start doing lampwork). Unfortunately, I wanna fuse and slump plates and dishes and the little 6x6x6 cavity is annoying me. :-( I don't have room in my apartment for a larger kiln, so I'm making do with what I have. Poor me. ;-) I do recommend the digital controller over the analog controller. With the programming capability, I just put the shelf of jewelry in, push the button and I don't need to babysit the kiln until it's time to flash drop the temp at the end. Much preferable to the analog controller. Also, a given fusing sequence that "works" is easily reproducible. Sue www.austinlastingimages.com |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Jeff,
I would agree that the 6 x 6 is too small. Check out www.warmglass.com, there are some good recommendations on there about which kiln to buy. I have a Jen Ken octagonal kiln w/infinite controller and viewing window which I bought from Marty at Centre de Verre (there's a link for C de V on the warmglass site).. Runs on 110. I'm very pleased with it. (I'm a firephobe so I'm never going to do lampwork) Patti. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
I tell all my fusing students about kilns, and, basically, I say,
imagine the largest piece you think you will ever want to do, then buy a kiln twice that size. It's a bit extreme, but you will be amazed how fast you outgrow ANY kiln. And as far as controllers go, get a digital controller unless you are really good at sticking your head in a 1500 degree kiln to see what the glass is actually doing. Annealing will bite you pretty good too if you don't have a controller. Good luck, Jerry Jeff Cochran wrote: I'm looking for recommendations on a beginner's kiln for fusing. Been looking at a Jen-Ken jewelry kiln for about $360, infinite switch and analog pyrometer, mostly because the dealer I like for my stained glass is selling these and including an introductory pack of Wasser glass. Looking at 110v kilns only at this time, if this pans out I'd have no problem investing in a better/bigger/stronger/etc. kiln in the future. Thanks for any suggestions, insights, warnings and so on. Jeff -- ? Angel Antics Glass Crafters ? Fine Art Glass, Kaleidoscopes and Tiffany Lamp Reproductions Jerry & Ann Maske 3 Garden Way Sullivan, ME 04664 Phone (207) 422-2250 Web site http://www.angelantics.net/ |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
When I bought my first kiln I followed the advice to "buy as big as I
could afford" -- the result was the Jen Ken in this pictu http://www.izm.com/glass/open.jpg While I don't regret the purchase, I don't think buying a small one would have been such a bad thing. I run a lot of tests with the kiln mostly empty -- and probably will be buying a small kiln too. If I had bought a small one first I would have learned a bit that might have changed my choice for a large kiln. I wouldn't buy a kiln today with a brick lid -- too much hassle with particulate falling. I do agree that a controller is a smart investment regardless of size. There's nothing wrong with starting small. - Paul (the address is not valid - please replace 'google' with 'paul' if emailing me) Jeff Cochran wrote in message . .. I'm looking for recommendations on a beginner's kiln for fusing. Been looking at a Jen-Ken jewelry kiln for about $360, infinite switch and analog pyrometer, mostly because the dealer I like for my stained glass is selling these and including an introductory pack of Wasser glass. Looking at 110v kilns only at this time, if this pans out I'd have no problem investing in a better/bigger/stronger/etc. kiln in the future. Thanks for any suggestions, insights, warnings and so on. Jeff |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Good advise, Jerry!
I bought the biggest kiln I could afford -considering the door size of my studio, too. I did not pay attention to the electricity need and it costed an arm and few toes to install a hevier wiring! Now I have an urge to order a smaller kiln, too for testing and electricity savings. -lauri Jerry Maske wrote: I tell all my fusing students about kilns, and, basically, I say, imagine the largest piece you think you will ever want to do, then buy a kiln twice that size. It's a bit extreme, but you will be amazed how fast you outgrow ANY kiln. And as far as controllers go, get a digital controller unless you are really good at sticking your head in a 1500 degree kiln to see what the glass is actually doing. Annealing will bite you pretty good too if you don't have a controller. Good luck, Jerry Jeff Cochran wrote: I'm looking for recommendations on a beginner's kiln for fusing. Been looking at a Jen-Ken jewelry kiln for about $360, infinite switch and analog pyrometer, mostly because the dealer I like for my stained glass is selling these and including an introductory pack of Wasser glass. Looking at 110v kilns only at this time, if this pans out I'd have no problem investing in a better/bigger/stronger/etc. kiln in the future. Thanks for any suggestions, insights, warnings and so on. Jeff -- ? Angel Antics Glass Crafters ? Fine Art Glass, Kaleidoscopes and Tiffany Lamp Reproductions Jerry & Ann Maske 3 Garden Way Sullivan, ME 04664 Phone (207) 422-2250 Web site http://www.angelantics.net/ |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
On Thu, 06 Nov 2003 13:49:56 -0500, Jerry Maske
wrote: I tell all my fusing students about kilns, and, basically, I say, imagine the largest piece you think you will ever want to do, then buy a kiln twice that size. It's a bit extreme, but you will be amazed how fast you outgrow ANY kiln. And as far as controllers go, get a digital controller unless you are really good at sticking your head in a 1500 degree kiln to see what the glass is actually doing. Annealing will bite you pretty good too if you don't have a controller. Excellent advice. Advice I should have followed when laying out my original studio. Now I need one twice as large.... good thing I'm moving......... Barbara Dream Master www.dreamweaverstudio.com Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~~ Albert Camus |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Another Fantasy Question - Fusing | Harry | Beads | 22 | April 19th 04 06:26 AM |
Good news, and agonizing over kiln purchase | Kalera Stratton | Beads | 14 | October 17th 03 02:11 AM |
Good news, and agonizing over kiln purchase | Kalera Stratton | Beads | 0 | October 14th 03 06:11 PM |
Seeking Kiln Advice | saucy | Beads | 5 | August 11th 03 04:18 AM |
Kiln question | Kalera Stratton | Beads | 13 | July 11th 03 06:35 AM |