infinate controller on a paragon kiln

[bhali333]

Hi,

I am shopping for a kiln and I think I have decided on a paragon sc3.

My question is, what is better the infinate control switch or the digital controler?

I am going to be using it for annealing small figures, marbles and some beads.

Also does the infinate controller after reaching a certain temp. wind itself down like a timer or do you have to manually lower the temp?

Thanks for any help
Bruce

[Dale M.]

By far the best controller is the Digital (and most expensive) ....... Set it up once and forget it (well almost)... Just be sure its a multi-step "ramp-soak" digital controller and not a "set point" (set point is digital version of infinite switch)...

The infinite switch controller is something you have to baby sit.... You have to adjust it continuously at each step of annealing process.... IF heat is ramping up to fast or to hot, you have to manually adjust infinite switch down, if you are not reaching proper temperature for step in annealing process you have to manually adjust it up....

It takes (usually) looking at kiln pyrometer every 10 to 15 minutes over the whole annealing process ( 4-5 hours) to assure kiln meets criteria of annealing schedule....

I have kiln with infinite switch, I know....... I only batch anneal once I have enough beads accumulated to make process worth while... If you are doing "garaging" of beads during bead making process and them finishing the ramp up/down process/schedule, its going to be a real pain....

The great thing about digital is you can set (program) every aspect of annealing process for automatic mode, and if you need to change settings for like using "garaging", you can just put digital timer into manual/hold and it will stay at that point till you release it.....

Dale