The Glass Hive Bead Annealer vs. Paragon Bluebird

[lynn's lampwork]

I am considering a second kiln and was researching the Bluebird and the bead annealer by The Glass Hive.

I have considered the Chili Pepper, but decided that I wanted a fire brick interior...

I would REALLY appreciate ANY pros/cons or opionion regarding either kiln...or even if you have any other suggestions....

Thanks very much!!!
~Lynn

[Hayley]

I have Mike Crowley's 2-door Glass Hive Annealer and love it. He is the best when it comes to customer service!

[jana]

I have the Bluebird and it doesn't have a firebrick interior.

[lynn's lampwork]

I have the Bluebird and it doesn't have a firebrick interior.


Oh, wow...I thought it did :-k .....Thanks for that. I think I am pretty much going with the Bead Hive kiln, but just wanted some opinions....I really like their warranty!

Thanks very much!!!
~Lynn

[LyndaJ]

LOVE my Glass Hive annealer. Plus, its rated to 1700 °F which will get you into the PMC range if you're interested in that.

[scouncil]

And they have one with extra wide doors..... I want one like that!!! And the nice self to lay your mandrels on...... Sigh!

[nitefire]

I have a Bluebird and love it. Here is a pic of the inside. It has fiber floor and side walls. The top (ceiling) is brick type with firing coils in it. The fiber is coated with a binder that makes it hard. So no worries of it coming apart.
I put my beads right on the kiln floor to anneal. They don't stick unless you put them in when molten hot. I love the two 10 inch doors it has. It has a 2 year warranty
Elaine:waving:

45675

[Feldt's Glass]

I have seen both at a show last year. We used the Glass Hive annealer in class. I would recomend the 2 door model over the 1 door. Less heat is lost when you add your beads. The bonus is the customer service. They are great people and always willing to help.

[GLASSFREEK]

I have seen both at a show last year. We used the Glass Hive annealer in class. I would recomend the 2 door model over the 1 door. Less heat is lost when you add your beads. The bonus is the customer service. They are great people and always willing to help.

There all 2 door now for no extra charge,with a 3 year warranty. that single door one at the show is about 7 years old and its a freind of mine that we just used for the class.

Mike

[Paul Ewing]

I got my wife a Bluebird. I got it from Clay King http://www.clay-king.com/itempbluebird.htm and was very impressed by his service. Compared to the Glass Hive kiln the Bluebird is slightly wider at 20 inches verses 18 inches. It also draws less electricity at 8amps verses 13 amps so it plays nicer with other things in your shop and can probably get by without a dedicated circuit. You don't want to have much else on it though. Another big plus for the Bluebird is that it is almost half the cost of the Glass Hive kiln. In the Glass Hive's favor, it is an all brick kiln so it will hold heat better. More important in my mind though is that the Glass Hive has 4 inch tall doors instead of the 2 3/4 inch high doors on the Bluebird. For beads this isn't a big deal, but it limits any sculpture you may want to do unless your other kiln has a regular sized door.

[Feldt's Glass]

There all 2 door now for no extra charge,with a 3 year warranty. Mike

Mike that's great to know! :waving:

[Dennis Brady]

AIM CR420 kiln
120 volt 15 amp
20" wide x 9" deep x 4.5" tall
doulble door with point rest and mandrel rack built in.
Quart tubes to protect heating elements.

Probably the best bang for the buck annealing kiln made.
http://www.vicartglass.com/products/products%20Kiln.html

[GLASSFREEK]

Not sure where the 8 amps came from on the bluebird but http://www.paragonweb.com/Blue_Bird.cfm says 13 amps.and the write up says 960 watts and the specs say 1500 watts,I wonder what it realy is, do they even know ?.and a kiln that sold for 750.00 a year ago sells for under 500.00 from retailers tells me a few things.

Mike