Which comes first the better torch or an anneler?

[carolinesbeads]

Hello,

I am currently using a flameworks torch with small mapp gas cannisters. I am hoping to upgrade to a minor in a few months. Just wondering what everyones opinion is on this matter. Is it better to get a bigger torch first or a kiln? Unfortunaly I can't afford both. We will be buying a house in the next few months and my DH will be building me a barly box! I am very excited.
Thanks Caroline

[lorleek]

I went for the kiln first - figured I could keep working on the torch I had, but couldn't anneal those beads without a kiln. I am still on my hothead torch, and although I occasionally feel limited (striking colors, some of the silver glasses, and raku are out of my reach) at least the beads I do make I don't need to worry about breaking.

Lori

[Jeanie]

Without a doubt......the kiln! You can make spectacular beads with your FW, but their structural integrity will always be of question. Even with a fancy new torch, your beads will still be at risk. I'd never sell or even give away, an unannealed bead. Get your kiln, practice on your FW and then make the new torch move. Just keep saving your pennies and before you know it, you'll have both the kiln and a new torch!
Jeanie

[LoriBird]

oh yeah. I agree....Kiln. I started out small there too. Then upgraded my hothead to a bobcat....then a couple years later upgraded my small kiln up to a paragon bluebird.

[AnnDK]

Kiln first, the upgrade your torch.
I'm glad I got my kiln, i'm still on a no-name Hothead.
Ann

[Yvon]

The kiln, of course. Recently I bought a book on lampworking that seemed to put aside the idea of annealing being critical - I don't have much regard at all for that book now. The authors have a shop that sells glass beads, obviously not annealed, and they indicate "since they are small beads, it's okay" NOT SO QUICK, there!

[ewdb]

i did kiln first, then digital controller.

still on my hh.

[Crafty1]

I did the torch because I had someone who could anneal my beads. However it was a pain that I made all these pretty beads, but couln't do anything with them until they went through a cycle. So If I could do it again I would buy the kiln first. I started torching in Dec, bought a torch in march and just bought a Jen ken Kiln last week. So it took me about 6 months to save my pennies. Good luck!

Tamara

[Karen Hardy]

Kiln.

[carolinesbeads]

Thanks so much for your responses. I asked the owner of a local bead shop if she would batch anneal for me and she said my beads were small enough that i didn't need to do that. I didnt really believe her based on what I had been reading here and in books. Kiln first it will be! Hmm now to choose which one. . . . the fun begins.
Thanks Caroline

[agw]

Caroline, I am on a hothead and decided to get a kiln first and am I ever glad that I did! Not only does it enable me to (attempt) to do encasing and other methods that were cracking before I could get them batch annealed, but annealing itself sometimes changes the glass too, so it gives me the flexibility to 'fix' or replicate things that the process changes.

I went with a Chilipepper as a first kiln and love it. It's portable, fast to heat up, and uses regular household current although I have it plugged into an outlet with nothing else on it - it's own fuse. So far I am much more than happy with it. I was able to program it myself without any trouble too!

I got mine from Blue Moon Glassworks and had super fast excellent service with a shipping address different from my billing one - and they offer free shipping!

[IF-Designs]

I would get the kiln first and watch for used torches in the garage sale you can save some money that way...

[Curly Irish Girl]

I 11th the position - annealer with digital controller first.....then you can sell beads that are well tempered and strong.

[Dale M.]

Another way of looking at it is, you can have biggest, hottest, most expensive torch and you can be a world class bead maker, but if the beads don't survive because they are not annealed, what good is all that..... Kiln is probably next priority in equipment purchase....

Dale

[Islandgirl]

Kiln...... I batch annealed my beads in a huge fusing kiln for a couple of years.. but looking back I lost a lot of beads that I wouldn't have if I'd had a kiln.... I'm sure the value of beads I lost was way more than the kiln cost... I have one of the little square kilns' from arrow springs with the quartz elements I love it!!!! (I also have 4 other larger fusing kilns....)

Lynne

[I batch annealed in one of my fusing kilns from '94 to 2002... ]

[Vangy]

I work on a HH at home and rent time on a minor (the bigger torch does not mean better beads for me - just faster). I can do nicer stringer work on the HH and I use MPS or MappPro gas.

I am so happy to have a kiln. Before I purchased the kiln, my encased beads did not survive to be batch annealed, but, are coming out lovely now. I batch annealed for about 6 months and had to keep my beads small and no encasing. Love having a kiln with a bead door.

[DanG]

I would go with the Kiln also.When you do up grade your torch look in to the bob cat . It is a much better torch and it isn't much more in price. It is also alo cleaner flame for encasing.

[Sue in Maine]

Kiln BUT don't be surprised if your fireworks torch doesn't last for long. Don't panic when it goes. A Hothead isn't that expensive.

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the fireworks torch. I've never used one but have read enough about them to be glad. First thing to go will be the automatic clicker to light it....

Go for the kiln and welcome to the addiction!

Sue

[crystalflipz]

I love my Chili Pepper! Try and get the digital controller, it's worth the extra cost. If you can afford it, look at one of Mike Crowley's kilns - that is what I'm currently lusting for. Here's the link http://www.theglasshive.com/BEAD%20ANNEALLERS.html

[carolinesbeads]

LOL thanks for the tip on the FW torch. My clicker went almost immediatly, now the torch just seems sputtery. I am looking at a kiln from the glass hive. Waiting till Christmas though, so my DH will know what to get me.
Thanks Caroline

[C-Ann]

Kiln and buy one bigger than you think you might need.....never know if you might like to try fusing

[rosemarie23]

I started with a fireworks torch. If you had a Hot Head torch, I would say kiln. But that Fireworks torch? Get rid of it! The sooner the better.

Having a kiln nearby does open up the possibilities for bigger work...

If you really have to choose, get a kiln AND a Hot Head torch.

A torch itself isn't very costly, but by the time you add in the hoses and gauges, tanks and whatnot, you've invested some serious coinage.

People do amazing things on the Hot Head.

[Moth]

Definitely kiln. I actually bought my kiln before I bought anything else. Then I got a hothead and glass. Then I got a minor and an oxycon several years later.

Kiln is tantamount.