Kiln Lottery... now questions!

[MardiGrasGlass]

I've hit the kiln lottery. I found a guy that has THREE small kilns for sale at an affordable price.

The first is a Paragon Quickfire 6, which looks like the mound of mud in the pictures I've seen of it. He wants $100

The second is a Phoenix 1. I have no idea what kind of kiln this is and I can't find any information on it. He want's $100 for this one too.

And the third is an "older Phoenix, probably about 18" by 18" inside." Unknown model, and this one he want's $150 for. (It comes with a bunch of molds and exta stuff that I probaby dont need.)

So anyway, can anyone tell me anything about these small kilns? The quickfire isn't the prettest looking thing, but it seems to heat up fast.

Any help is appreciated.

[squid]

are you wanting it for fusing or beads? If for beads, do you plan to batch anneal or anneal on the mandrel immediately after making it?

[MardiGrasGlass]

Well I would like something that I could experiment with small fusing later on. It would mostly be used for annealing small beads right now. With the Quickfire, it looks Like I could use it for annealing the beads on the mandrel as all I would have to do is lift he cover just a tad to slip it in there.

I really can't afford to be too picky, as price is my driving factor.

[squid]

do you have pics of the second and third one?

[MardiGrasGlass]

No. He called the second one a "Phoenix 1." The third he said was an older Paragon, about 18"x18" inside. Haven't a clue what the model numbers are either of them.

What are the negatives to the Quickfire? I dont like the looks of it, but if it gets the job done, then I can't complain. I couldn't even build one for the price he is asking for it.

[parisgal]

The quick fire just gets hot too fast. The glass would shatter. And you can't control the cooling so yo can't anneal with it. In fact there's no control at all, you'd have to buy those pieces.

You need to find out more about 2 & 3, ask if they have a controller or infinite switches, what kind of opening...

[MardiGrasGlass]

So if the Quickfire has one of those controllers with it, I can use it?

I sent him an email asking about the 2nd and 3rd, but haven't heard back from him.

[Kalera]

Yeah, I would stay away from the quickfire. No idea what the "Phoenix" is.

My guess is that your best bet is the "older Paragon". It's a bit big, but not TOO big, and there's plenty of room for fusing. At worst, you'll need to buy a pyrometer and replace the element... but those are not expensive endeavors, and plenty worth it for a kiln that might cost close to $1000 new.

[Kalera]

Actually, if you don't want the older Paragon, would you mind sending on the seller's info to me? I would love a kiln of those dimensions.

[parisgal]

So if the Quickfire has one of those controllers with it, I can use it?

I sent him an email asking about the 2nd and 3rd, but haven't heard back from him.

Well if it has one of those controllers (which is an infinite switch) you could then buy a Pyrometer. Then you could use it, maybe, kinda. Usually with an infinite switch you have kiln brick, so it doesn't cool down too fast. With a fiber kiln it will cool off too fast, so you'd have to manually manage that. On my kiln that's about hours...

I'd end up messing up every single batch. If kiln #1 was my only option, I wouldn't do it. So with the three choice, I'd choose one of the others.

[MardiGrasGlass]

Well I got a response from him tonight. He said that he thinks the Phoenix is a better deal for what I want to do. And he said that he is willing to negotiate on the older Paragon. He wants $150 for it, but I dont need all the ceramic tools that comes with it, so maybe I can get it cheaper. If I can avoid the Quickfire I will.

He is going to send me pictures of the 2nd and 3rd on Wednesday.

[JCollie]

What ceramic tools are included? Maybe you can use them for glass or fusing.
I use alot of my old ceramic tools for glass for shaping , raking, poking.
Janet

[MardiGrasGlass]

its mostly ceramic molds from what I understand...

[MardiGrasGlass]

ok, here is the Phoenix 1 Kiln that this guy wants $100 for. It runs on a 110v outlet and has a controller that has "Low, 1-8, High". It has a little chip, but nothing serious. It looks good, its the perfect size for annealing beads, it has a temperature controller (though not digital), and its the right price. I think I found a kiln!!!

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc68/chebert22_2007/kiln_003.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc68/chebert22_2007/kiln_004.jpg

[laserglass]

that can be fixed easily. unplug the kiln, cover the element nearby with some wax paper to keep off the mortor that you use to glue the piece back in. the morter has the consisty of wallpaper paste. once the mortor is dry, remove the wax paper, and clean up any debrit. they plug in the kiln and fire it up. you may wish to do this outside as the mortor may give off smells when fired for the first time.

[ruca]

that looks like an *AWESOME* deal, christopher. i'd jump on it!

[MardiGrasGlass]

oh TRUST me... I'm heading over to pick it up at the first available opportunity!!!