Kilns anyone?

I have a Paragon Caldera. 8x8x8 cavity, digital controller. Easy to program, very dependable, reproducible results. According to the engineers at work (local electric utility) given the current draw from the kiln and how long it takes to fire, firing a shelf costs me about $0.25 in electricity (another advantage of a small, energy efficient kiln). I can add the accessory layer with a door for annealing beads if I want. My only quibble is that now I need to buy a house so that I have room for a larger kiln. I can make candy dishes (3.25" or 5.25" mold) in the Caldera, but I wanna make plates and bowls! :-) There's a kiln with a 14" diameter cavity available that runs on regular house current (110). However, if I situate that kiln in the kitchen where the table for my baby 8" kiln is presently located, I won't be able to open the oven or refrigerator doors. Hmmmm. food or glass????

:-)

check out

for lots of discussions on this topic.there's also reference links to various kiln manufacturers and sellers onthat site.

I'm thinking glass and take-out? ~Kimberlee

Glass.

That's probably what I'll end up doing. Speaking of which, it's time to order pizza. :-)

Right now, I'm firing the blank for a 3.25" square dish with a bluebonnet center (using a whole lot of little tiny prefired dots to make the blossom). I can't wait to see how it turns out. :-)

Got a digital camera and a free website somewhere? ~Kimberlee

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: : That's probably what I'll end up doing. Speaking of which, it's time to : order pizza. :-) : : Right now, I'm firing the blank for a 3.25" square dish with a bluebonnet : center (using a whole lot of little tiny prefired dots to make the blossom). : I can't wait to see how it turns out. :-) : : :

's the 5.25" version of the 3.25" referenced above (the 3.25" ended upbeing a sacrifice on the kilnshelf of the Elder Ghods)

Hey, we have something in common. Glass skills better than photo skills. I mean that in a nice way. I can't see the corner colors. Looks like maybe a green irid? Bluebonnet. State flower of Texas? Jack

Edges are green iridescent, corners are adventurine green. Bluebonnet is lime green opal (stem), adventurine (leaves), medium blue opal, dark cobalt opal, white opal (bloom) (all Bullseye 90COE). Yup, it's a bluebonnet. And I agree, the quality of the photo leaves quite a bit to be desired. :-) btw, it's not the final picture -- as soon as I can get a better one it will be replaced. My light diffuser that I use with my camera only handles objects up to about a 4" diameter (I need to get a hole saw to cut the lens hole in the top of my translucent cake carrier to make another diffuser). Check out some of the jewelry shots on my website (

) and I hope you'll agree that the usual quality of the shots is better when I can use the diffuser. Check out the rest of my macro work on the photo page too as long as you're there. :-).

Absolutely awesome! Definitely gonna' have to put my pennies aside (as well as time to learn). ~Kimberlee

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> >: > >that's the 5.25" version of the 3.25" referenced above (the 3.25" ended: up : > >being a sacrifice on the kilnshelf of the Elder Ghods) : > >

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: > Hey, we have something in common. Glass skills better than photo : > skills. I mean that in a nice way. I can't see the corner colors. : > Looks like maybe a green irid? Bluebonnet. State flower of Texas? : > Jack : >

: : Edges are green iridescent, corners are adventurine green. Bluebonnet is : lime green opal (stem), adventurine (leaves), medium blue opal, dark cobalt : opal, white opal (bloom) (all Bullseye 90COE). Yup, it's a bluebonnet. And : I agree, the quality of the photo leaves quite a bit to be desired. :-) : btw, it's not the final picture -- as soon as I can get a better one it will : be replaced. My light diffuser that I use with my camera only handles : objects up to about a 4" diameter (I need to get a hole saw to cut the lens : hole in the top of my translucent cake carrier to make another diffuser). : Check out some of the jewelry shots on my website ( :

) and I hope you'll agree that the usual quality : of the shots is better when I can use the diffuser. Check out the rest of : my macro work on the photo page too as long as you're there. :-). : : :

Have a look at my slump kiln

can turn on bottom elements if needed , And I use a Perfect Fire IIICheers Jo

What does a kiln like that cost?

Jack

This kiln cost me approx US $2500 For the Perfect Fire controller (55 steps ) incl probe and wired into the kiln US$ 450.00 but the US dollar is quite low at the moment. I am using this mainly for fusing and slumping , it's a great kiln. I don't know about freight cost to the USA , as I live in New Zealand

Cheers

Jo

I was just curious as I built my own large kiln not long ago. Picture at the link below.

Know what you mean about the US dollar being low. At least my supply of them.

Jack

What are you using for elements? Looks like the kiln is insulated with Kaowool or some such sort of material. It appears to be a real fine job, all shipshape and Bristol fashion.

Thanks for the element information.

4" of Kaowool it is. I plan to cut the lower walls back to 2" for the extra firing area. Bristol fashion must be a good thing.

How long does a 14" pizza take to bake in a 14" kiln? Problem solved.

I'm just going to concentrate on making my cold glass techniques better first, then I'll look at a kiln. Later. Really. ooh, look, shiney new toy...