Kiln Advice

[Terri-S]

Hi all. :waving:

I'm going to FINALLY buy a kiln. I'd like to find something that I can fuse, slump and anneal beads in. I was looking at the Paragon Caldera kiln with a bead collar.

Any suggestions from you who know?

Thanks!!!

[PaulaD]

Yes. Look at the Jen-Ken Bead Annealer and Fuser!
Paula

[Dennis Brady]

Recommend the AIM 84BD

[Terri-S]

Yes. Look at the Jen-Ken Bead Annealer and Fuser!
Paula

What model is that and why do you like it better than the Paragon?

[JavaGirlBT]

I started out with the Caldera and was very unhappy with the room inside. I don't like my beads to touch each other, because they can get little marks on them - especially when using frits. I could only put in like 10 beads before I had to start stacking. I prefer longer (wider?) kilns that have a longer opening such as the chili pepper (can't fuse in it) or the glasshive bead annealer and fuser - which is what I have and I love love love.

[Frostfire]

What Ellen said -- I, too, love love love my GlassHive kiln!

[magpiedreams]

Hi,

I just purchased the AIM kiln model an earlier poster referred to. It is a tabletop model and has the bead door. I opted to not get a digital controller mainly because I just don't have the money right now and I can likely use the pyrometer to adjust the temps and follow annealing steps manually for now.

I'm wiring up a plug for it as I want it out behind my torch and workbench and don't want to put it on an extension cord. I have lots of good outlets and short wiring so can tap into a separate circuit and wire this myself. I'm smart enuf to turn off the breaker!

I also want to try fusing and it looks like this kiln can also do that. I understand previously made but not annealed beads can also be annealed. I do have a few of my practice beads that look pretty nice so I'll test with those first before going into the mandrel in the door steps.

Ken

[IF-Designs]

I just love my Jen Ken kiln its an octagon shape its double tall has a bead door and a plug so I can plug it up and fuse in it to its great was the best bang for the buck. Can do everything I really want in it at least on a small scale as in small plates and stuff...