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
|
|||
|
|||
what kiln to buy?
I'm just starting out with making pottery and would like to get a kiln
for my home studio. I have no idea how to evaluate the various types and brands before making a purchase. Can anyone offer guidelines or suggestions? Thanks. Karen |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
what kiln to buy?
On Aug 5, 4:26 pm, test wrote:
I'm just starting out with making pottery and would like to get a kiln for my home studio. I have no idea how to evaluate the various types and brands before making a purchase. Can anyone offer guidelines or suggestions? Thanks. Karen I have an L&L E28S. It has about the same cubic inches as a E23T but is much easier to load than the taller and more narrow kilns and I can get in very wide platters. This kiln is very easy to program and the elements are protected more than other kilns. I really like my kiln. It's rating is to cone 10 but you should fire below that. I fire cone 6 - cone 8 would be fine. Do a search because prices vary considerably. This is not a minor expense so know what you are looking for and what wiring you will need. Call the companies and talk to them. They are all very friendly and have useful information. Carefully follow the instructions - yes you really do need to fire it the first time empty (for example). Good luck! Donna |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
what kiln to buy?
dkat wrote:
On Aug 5, 4:26 pm, test wrote: I'm just starting out with making pottery and would like to get a kiln for my home studio. I have no idea how to evaluate the various types and brands before making a purchase. Can anyone offer guidelines or suggestions? Thanks. Karen I have an L&L E28S. It has about the same cubic inches as a E23T but is much easier to load than the taller and more narrow kilns and I can get in very wide platters. This kiln is very easy to program and the elements are protected more than other kilns. I really like my kiln. It's rating is to cone 10 but you should fire below that. I fire cone 6 - cone 8 would be fine. Do a search because prices vary considerably. This is not a minor expense so know what you are looking for and what wiring you will need. Call the companies and talk to them. They are all very friendly and have useful information. Carefully follow the instructions - yes you really do need to fire it the first time empty (for example). Good luck! Donna Thank you for the reply. I'm registered for some classes this fall and hope to learn a bit more before making the final decision but you've given me something to start checking on. Karen |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
what kiln to buy?
On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 09:57:03 -0700, test wrote:
Thank you for the reply. I'm registered for some classes this fall and hope to learn a bit more before making the final decision but you've given me something to start checking on. Karen Also, consider a used kiln. Oftentimes, home kilns see very little use before their owners move on to other hobbies. And while a computer controlled kiln is convenient, a good old kiln-setter works fine for most application. You can likely find a good used "hobby" kiln with a kiln-setter for $350 - $400. And, if down the road, you decide you want something bigger / fancier, you could probably sell such a kiln for about what you paid for it. As dkat mentioned, do check out the power requirements before buying a kiln. You will likely have to have a special circuit installed, which will cost a few $$'s. Insist on copper wiring! Kiln manufacturers specify it. Aluminum tend to heat up and the connectors tend to burn up. deg |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
what kiln to buy?
Dewitt wrote:
On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 09:57:03 -0700, test wrote: Thank you for the reply. I'm registered for some classes this fall and hope to learn a bit more before making the final decision but you've given me something to start checking on. Karen Also, consider a used kiln. Oftentimes, home kilns see very little use before their owners move on to other hobbies. And while a computer controlled kiln is convenient, a good old kiln-setter works fine for most application. You can likely find a good used "hobby" kiln with a kiln-setter for $350 - $400. And, if down the road, you decide you want something bigger / fancier, you could probably sell such a kiln for about what you paid for it. As dkat mentioned, do check out the power requirements before buying a kiln. You will likely have to have a special circuit installed, which will cost a few $$'s. Insist on copper wiring! Kiln manufacturers specify it. Aluminum tend to heat up and the connectors tend to burn up. deg This sounds like a good plan. What's the power requirement... 220? That could be a limiting factor. Better talk to my husband. Thanks! Karen |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
what kiln to buy?
On Tue, 07 Aug 2007 09:49:41 -0700, test wrote:
This sounds like a good plan. What's the power requirement... 220? That could be a limiting factor. Better talk to my husband. Thanks! Karen Yes, most hobby type kilns in the US are 220 volts, though you should be aware that some school / industrial kilns are 208 volts and you'll want to avoid those. Your house wiring can almost certainly provide 220 volts. Likely more of an issue though is the number of amps that the kiln will pull. You'll want to check to make sure your house electrical panel can handle the amount of current (amps) that the kiln requires. A typical smallish hobby kiln will require something like a 40 amp circuit and this will be specified by the manufacturer. If your electrician isn't familiar with wiring for kilns, "remind" him that the kiln will pull it's maximum amperage for an extended period of time - as in 6 - 8 hours. Make sure to use the gauge copper wire recommended by the manufacturer. Don't undersize it. deg |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
what kiln to buy?
Dewitt wrote:
On Tue, 07 Aug 2007 09:49:41 -0700, test wrote: This sounds like a good plan. What's the power requirement... 220? That could be a limiting factor. Better talk to my husband. Thanks! Karen Yes, most hobby type kilns in the US are 220 volts, though you should be aware that some school / industrial kilns are 208 volts and you'll want to avoid those. Your house wiring can almost certainly provide 220 volts. Likely more of an issue though is the number of amps that the kiln will pull. You'll want to check to make sure your house electrical panel can handle the amount of current (amps) that the kiln requires. A typical smallish hobby kiln will require something like a 40 amp circuit and this will be specified by the manufacturer. If your electrician isn't familiar with wiring for kilns, "remind" him that the kiln will pull it's maximum amperage for an extended period of time - as in 6 - 8 hours. Make sure to use the gauge copper wire recommended by the manufacturer. Don't undersize it. deg Many thanks! |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Hi, This post of mine is very beneficial and informative, however there are some specific facts or information that I require. If anyone can help me in this matter then please send me a private message. Best Regards,
Last edited by Nabeel : April 3rd 14 at 08:35 AM. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Kiln cement and kiln repair | Daniel | Pottery | 2 | October 22nd 06 06:29 PM |
FS: KILN - $125. | Leo Lanthier | Glass | 8 | May 20th 06 05:18 PM |
kiln help please! | Stephanie Coleman | Pottery | 0 | June 20th 05 11:10 PM |
Used Kiln parts and gas kiln build instructions | Bri | Pottery | 4 | August 10th 03 12:27 AM |
New Kiln | Bri | Pottery | 3 | July 2nd 03 09:20 PM |