Batch Annealing Advice Needed

[cherylsart]

I'm getting an AIM 84BD kiln (if AIM ever gets it built, I've been waiting 3 months!) I have a lot of beads waiting to be annealed so they will have to be batched.

Can you tell me the best way to batch anneal in one of these kilns? I won't have a digital controller; just the pyrometer and infinite switch. Should I get a Pyrex dish to put them in? It seems like I need to put them in something. They are all off the mandrels now (there are hundreds of them).

I have some "duds" from my early torching days that I can use to practice on until I know what I'm doing. Thanks for any help you can give!

Cheryl

[Cosmo]

You don't need to put them in anything. Just stick them in and go. When we batch anneal for our customers, we put in as many beads as we can fit into the kiln. It doesn't matter if they touch or anything like that as you aren't heating them up to the softening point anyways.

[ziggys]

Hi, Do you need a batch annealing schedule? If so PM me and I will send you a copy of the one I use by Lori Greenburg. It is for a digital kiln but the temps are still the same of course. Perhaps Aim will send you one though. I know Jen-Ken sent me one for my kiln.
Angela

[Iwantonetoo]

You don't need to put them in anything. Just stick them in and go. When we batch anneal for our customers, we put in as many beads as we can fit into the kiln. It doesn't matter if they touch or anything like that as you aren't heating them up to the softening point anyways.

So, you just put the opn the kiln shelf? I have yet to anneal any of my beads (very new). I thought I had to put them in a dish with vermiculite. Is that not neccessary?

Thanks,

Sheri

[swanseafarm]

No dish, no vermiculite.

After prepping your new kiln with the kiln wash (follow directions) and you have fired up the kiln empty once to temper the kiln wash, after the kiln has cooled just load up the kiln as Cosmos said. The only thing you want to be careful about is not touching any beads to exposed heating filiments or rods. Just remember, with a large batch of beads you will want to soak them longer and ramp down slowly. You will need to pay close attention to the time and temp as you get used to the settings on your switch/dial. Once you have figured out which line on the dial takes the temp where you want it to be make a note of it. My experience is to do one increment on the dial at a time (start low and work up) and see what temp it goes to. The kilns heat up slowly so be prepared to set aside about 5 hours the first day so you can check the time and temp and setting. I have never had to go very high on the dial to anneal beads, even to reach Boro annealing temps.

Good luck and have fun!

[Cosmo]

You don't need any kiln wash or anything like that either. Just open the kiln, stick them in, and run your annealing program. You aren't taking the glass to a temperature high enough to soften or melt the glass.

[swanseafarm]

I'd do the kiln wash....accidents do happen.
I turned my knob the wrong way once and ended up slumping some beads. The kiln wash protected the interior brick surface. Since the kiln is a major investment I'd rather be safe than sorry.
:)

[Iwantonetoo]

Thanks for the input. I am a fuser, so at least I have a history with my kiln.

I suppose I could put shelf paper under them to be safe. Should I still use a shelf? (for air circulation)

Also, does this inhibit the strength of the bead? or do people use the dishes and vermiculite so they can fit more in at a time by stacking? I just want to make sure I am annealing properly.
So far, I only have a handful that I think are pretty enough to sell, and a few that I could easily make into pendants and sell, so if I screw up my first "batch" then it will be chalked up to practice.
Luckily my kiln shelf is large enough I can accomodate about a weeks worth of beads at a time if I am setting them on the floor/shelf.
Thanks again.