Another Kiln Question

[playswithfire104]

I think I will need to replace my kiln within the next year and want to start looking for one. The one I have now is very small - but when I read the inside dimensions of other kins they are just as small. I used to think I wanted one with a bead door but since I have been using one without a bead door I think I don't want the bead door. (How many times can you say bead door in the same sentence?:-k )

I would like to get into sculptural work eventually so I want something big enough for that. Also when I'm really cooking I can make 100 beads in a day. The kilns with bead doors don't look like they would hold that many beads.

So those of you that do sculptural work and those of you that make mega beads at a time please share some insight as to what types of kilns you have experience with and what you like and dislike about them. Thanks! :wave:

[loco]

I do sculptural work and I have this kiln, the inside is 8.5W x 6H x 12D. It does not have a bead door.

67400

For a "normal" lampworker it would work well, for me it is too small. I find I can easily fill it up because my beads are huge. I put a rack that goes from floor to ceiling allowing stacking of beads. I have this bead on my desk, the body is 2 ¼ in tall 2 ¾ in wide and about 1 ½ in deep.

66007
66008


My eyesight does not allow use of a bead door so this is one of the reasons I chose this kiln. I have out grown it and am looking at this kiln.

http://www.clay-king.com/itempf130elite.htm

I like the style of the door and I really like the doggie door that could be used to garage pieces when that bathroom break is needed or if I need to change tanks.

I have used this kiln (the one at the bottom) and I really love it. The taller doors make it’s use possible for me. Mike has great customer service which is a huge plus when buying a kiln.

http://theglasshive.com/BEAD%20ANNEALLERS.html

[Emily]

Sounds like you might want to consider something like the Paragon F-120, then. It's not going to be your cheapest option, but it will give you the versatility to do both beads and taller sculptural pieces. Here's a picture:

http://www.paragonweb.com/F120.cfm

(You can probably find one for less than list price.)

If you choose a kiln that isn't specifically designed for bead annealing, pay attention to where the elements are located. Front-opening glass kilns that are meant for people who do off-mandrel work often have the elements around three sides, including right opposite the door. It would be easy to poke a mandrel right into an element. I was in a class in which we were using a kiln of that type (the studio was really set up for boro workers) and we had a lot of mandrels stacked in the kiln. One slipped and fell into an element. Luckily it happened by itself, not when anyone was holding it, because there was an awful lot of glowing and sparkage, and the electric in half the studio shorted out. It seemed like a thing to be avoided if possible.

[daisydog7]

I used to think I didn't need a bead door, but finally I got a kiln with a bead door and it is incredibly better. My kiln is a Skutt GM10F and has a small bead door (nine inches) but is pretty roomy inside. It will do fusing, etc.
Now I have ordered an AIM C420D because it has two 10 inch bead doors.
The first kiln I had was a Skutt Hot Start, which had no bead door but was fairly roomy. Skutt makes excellent kilns, at least that's was I've found.

[Hayley]

I second loco on the glasshive kiln - I have the smaller one 6"x 18" provided that 4" tall is enough for your sculptural work. The larger one with its width of 27" across will definitely provide enough room for your many beads. Love the two-door design too.

Mike Crowley builds the kiln, gives 3-year warranty and is there when you need any help! Best customer service ever!

[Dennis Brady]

I second loco on the glasshive kiln - I have the smaller one 6"x 18" provided that 4" tall is enough for your sculptural work. The larger one with its width of 27" across will definitely provide enough room for your many beads. Love the two-door design too.

Mike Crowley builds the kiln, gives 3-year warranty and is there when you need any help! Best customer service ever!

AIM 99 LS with pyrometer $467.50
AIM 99 LS/D with Bartlett 3 key $675.00
Interior 9" wide x 10" deep x 9" tall
http://www.aimkilns.com/assets/images/99lsd.JPG

[playswithfire104]

Thanks everyone! :love:

Loco when you are ready to sell your kiln to upgrade let me know! It looks like what I have in mind. I know I will need a digital controller on whatever kiln I do get. Emily the kiln I currently have has exposed elements and I have shocked myself once or twice on them. Not fun. [-X