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

Reply to
Jeff Cochran
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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.

Reply to
nJb

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

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Reply to
suzilem

Jeff, I would agree that the 6 x 6 is too small. Check out

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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.

Reply to
Beadseeker

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:

Reply to
Jerry Maske

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 picture:

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I don't regret the purchase, I don't think buying a small onewould have been such a bad thing. I run a lot of tests with the kilnmostly 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 snipped-for-privacy@izm.com address is not valid - please replace 'google' with 'paul' if emailing me)

Reply to
Paul

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:

Reply to
Lauri Levanto

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

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Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~~ Albert Camus

Reply to
Barbara Otterson

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