Kiln Questions...

[Cracked Baubble]

There is an ad in my local paper for a kiln. It says "Large Paragon Kiln, relined $125" She also has listed blank china painting supplies.
I gave her a call and asked what model it is annd she defianetly a senior citizen and didn't know what the model was or how to find out. I didn't want to trouble her to lift it and look around kwim...

So I'm supposed to go look at it tomorrow, if it's a good kiln for lampworking I want it but I'm not sure how I will know this without going to my handy dandy little computer and doing the research, but I hate to go over there, get the model number and then have to come back later, it seemed the first appointment was a bit of a trouble for her...

She said it's large, eight sided and opens from the top. So what should I look for?

[Melodie]

Sounds like a ceramics kiln, it will be pretty tall and will have a kiln sitter. While I know a number of people that use these types of kilns for fusing I can't see it working very well for lampwork. The shelf would need to be pretty close to the top so that you wouldn't have far to put the beads in. I'm not saying it isn't doable, it's the method I use with my small fusing kiln to anneal beads, but I'll soon be looking into getting a kiln with a bead door.

If the kiln is a decent size around, say 16 - 18 inches or more, the heat that will come out of this kiln when opened to put a bead in will be intense. I also have a 24" kiln and you wouldn't believe the blast of heat that comes out when you open it up while it's firing.

I'd also hold out for a controller if at all possible, it really makes life much easier. :)

[MikeAurelius]

Yeah, what Melodie said -- however, you CAN use this type of kiln for fusing and/or slumping, PMC, and other goodies. It won't be a good bead kiln though.

For the price, I'd buy it and keep if for awhile. If you don't use it, turn around and sell it and you'll probably double your money. Large kilns, even ceramics kilns are expensive. I'd wager this one probably set her back close to $1500 or more. This is one of those deals where you can make some money fairly easily by purchasing something that the seller doesn't know what the resale price is. (Sounds mercenary, but if you don't do it, someone else will.)

[luke gardner]

This does sound like a ceramics kiln. The biggest problem with theses for lampworkers is that they are top loading and highly inefficient. Eveytime you open the top to load a new piece, you lose all most of the heat inside. This can cause very large electric bills.

[Cracked Baubble]

thanks for all the info guys! can I use this for batch anealing?

well it's an A-66B which appears to be discontinued. The inside looks really good, but smells of paint (she was a ceramic painter)
Dh is picking it up tomorrow so I guess I better figure what to do owith it! LOL

[MikeAurelius]

A couple of firings empty will clear out the paint smell. Just be sure your ventilation system is on when it is running.