OT Kiln ? for bead makers

IMO, a bead door is preferable if you are annealing as you go along, because it lets out less heat. Without the bead door, depending on the kiln you have, opening the larger door can cause a lot of heat to escape. It really depends on the kiln though. I haven't used either of the kilns you talked about, so I can't help there. :) Good luck!

I'm pretty sure you'll want 2 kilns.

Where will you be teaching, and what length of classes? At home? At a bead store? If I teach, I can use the classroom and kiln at the bead store.

When I took classes, the teachers brought two full sized kilns, but the classes were from Fri afternoon to Sun evening. Portable kiln. That just makes me nervous. Visceral reaction, which may or may not be justified.

Tina

I'll definitely have 2 kilns (only because there isn't one that I can carry/lift that I can do beads on a mandrel in)- just trying to decide if I should keep my paragon (no bead door) or get the AIM kiln with a bead door for beads (I can also use either one for PMC).

By portable I meant something that I can carry by myself. I can't lift a 70 lb kiln (my current paragon). The Sierra kiln is 30 lbs (I can carry 30 lbs) and 8x8x6 inside dimensions. Sierra actually makes one that only weighs 20lbs but it's a 4x4x ish on the inside a bit small.

Kathy K

I used a top-loading fusing kiln to anneal for some time, and frankly, it sucked rocks.

If it's a front-loader, it won't be as bad, but even if it's deep enough to get the whole mandrel in, it will be fairly unpleasant and probably require a leather glove.

-Kalera

KDK wrote:

Thanks Kalera.

The Paragon is a front loading, but I think it will be a pain to try to put mandrels in (I was lured by the nah you don't "need" a bead door). I think i'll get the AIM and sell the Paragon.

Thanks Kandice. The more I learned about bead making, the better a bead door sounds. Think I'll go for the bead door buy!

Do any of you use a kiln that does NOT have a bead door?>

yes - mine is a very old enameling kiln that I "converted" to beadmaking use.

for me - the trick is I have to cut mandrels that are short enough to fit inside the entire kiln with the door closed. Luckily this is a pretty "deep" kiln - so my mandrels are about 8 to 9 inches

- and I put them in diagonally -- works for me.

Cheryl last semester of lawschool! yipee! DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass

but even if it's deep enough to get the whole mandrel in, it will be fairly unpleasant and probably require a leather glove.>

ummm - yeah - it's a bit warm at times... LOL

I solved it by getting a really LONG pair of loop hemostats - which I grab the mandrel with and then use to shove the whole works into my kiln -- However - mine has a DROP DOWN front door -- so the heat rising UP off the kiln brick can be pretty intense-- I've learned to be QUICK!

Cheryl last semester of lawschool! yipee! DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass

Which paragon do you have? I have the Caldera and just love it.

I have a top loader I used for quite and while and it worked well for me.

I think you'll be happy with that choice. From what I've heard, the AIM is a very good kiln, and you will *definitely* be happier with a bead door! :)

-Kalera

KDK wrote:

LOL! OUCH, a drop-down door! And I thought life sucked when I was using a top-loader!

-Kalera

Cheryl wrote:

the opportunity to get a brand new AIM with

IMHO, there is no such thing as too many kilns, or beads, or gemstones, or.......... I was going to sell my smallest kiln. I haven't used it in 3 years. But now I'm glad I didn't. With the larger studio there is room for it, and I've even thought of uses for it! Just because you're annealing as you go now doesn't mean you won't want to batch anneal later. Or you won't get into something that will require the kiln you have. My biggest concern now is which kiln do I want for my new one.....how big do I want to go? Damn! decisions, decisions.....inquiring electricians want to know how big a circuit to install for it, but I haven't bought it yet! Barbara Dream Master

If you want to make God laugh, tell him your future plans. Woody Allen

Well I getting the AIM - I'm a bit on the accident prone side , so it will probably be better!!! I can just see it now- hot bead on a a mandrel, trying to find gloves or a hemostat.....

I have the paragon SC676

I think it's probably a great kiln - but no bead door and I can't lift it to carry it places.

Kathy K

hee hee - well 3 kilns might be overkill right now - especially since 2 are very similar in design. But then again I'm slack I might never get around to trying to sell the paragon:)

But you are oh so right about beads and gems....

hot bead on a a mandrel, trying to find gloves or a hemostat.....>

Who uses a glove??

LOL - I'm just FAST!!!!

Cheryl DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass