Kiln prices

[Cracked Baubble]

so I'm trying to decide on a kiln (not getting to far btw) and in my window shopping it appears that mailbox/toolbox annealers are very similiar in price to the firebrick kilns... I'm wondering why that is? It appears to me that the toolbox/mailbox kilns would be easy to to make and have cheaper materials :-k what am I missing?

I'd really like inexpensive at this point, but if it's going to be $500 for a toolbox kiln and $600 for a firebrick kiln it seems that spending the $100 would give me a slightly better kiln (I'm under the impression that firebrick holds it's temperature better and more evenly than fiberblanket) why not spend the little bit more kwim...

Why is this so difficult? :lol: #-o

[MikeAurelius]

hmmmmmm...how about a cast refractory kiln WITH a 4 program controller included for $599? (plus shipping of course ;) )

Cast refractory falls about half way between fiber blanket and brick - has very similar insulating properties of brick but the weight of (slightly more than) fiber blanket.

My RANA Bead Annealer is currently selling for $599 with a 4 program 16 step digital controller built in. Chamber is 12" wide 12" deep and 5" high with a full width doggy door.

[Rebekah]

Portability, baby. I have a McKinney toolbox annealer and I couldn't love that thing more if I tried. Really long door and easy, easy, easy to program. I hate technical stuff and want to concentrate on making beads. I've had it for over 3 years now and never had a problem with it. Knock on wood.

Only drawback is I can't fuse in it. I'll get another kiln for that within the next few weeks, but I wouldn't want to. It's too small and so are all of the other bead kilns that fuse, for me at least. I want to fuse large things like tiles and plates. 6x6 ain't gonna cut it.

Also, from what I understand, he's great about customer service and repairs if you need it, but I never have.

Rebekah