Which Kiln?

[Loopy]

Hi
I'm looking at investing in a kiln, and wanted a low cost use at home one. I've had a look on charryhaven which my PMC tutor suggested but I can't navigate the website that easily and finding a price seems impossible!

So if you have a kiln, which one is it and how much did it cost?

Thanks in advance

Loopy

[Loopy]

oooppps - just seen the thread below. Sorry xx

[isabellabrown]

Making the decision to buy a kiln is a big step for most of us. I spent a lot of time and research before I decided which kiln was right for my needs. Hopefully, my research can also help you decide which kiln is right for your needs. You need to ask yourself two questions: What will I use this for today? What might I use this for tomorrow? I knew I wanted to buy a kiln so I could make fused glass jewelry. I also knew that some day I would want to use the same kiln for casting purposes. You can’t predict the future, but since you will probably be spending around $300-500, you want to make sure your kiln can be used for a variety of purposes.

[Fi Wilson]

Loopy, CherryHaven isn't one of the easiest websites to navigate and there are other sites that seem to link into the same shop, so whenever I came across the familiar black background I came right out of the page and carried on looking elsewhere.

I asked a similar question a few weeks ago and had my choices down to 2 kilns which were dependent on 2 issues: kiln chamber size and programmer. I was advised to go with the one with a programmer (which also had the bigger chamber size) as I was intending to do metal clay in it and having a programmer enabled more flexibility for using the bronze, copper, steel and silver clays in the future. It would also enable me to make more pieces once I got going properly due to the larger chamber size.

I'm going for the very popular Paragon SC2 but the Kitiki/Prometheus kiln are also well regarded. Try looking at some of these sites too www.warm-glass.co.uk, www.somata-pmc.co.uk and www.saskiaroseworkshops.co.uk Basically, just keep Googling and then take the plunge! It's very scary but it will be an investment.

Hope this helps.

Fi

[MuranoSilver]

Great advice and links Fi
So you chose the Paragon SC2 - I so, so love mine and wouldn't be without it!
Nic xx

[CeliaDM]

Good golly, what a wonderfully informative thread, a kiln is most certainly on my shopping list and i would like one as soon as possible. I am fortunate in that my close friend Rita has a small kiln and she was gracious enough to offer me the use of it any time I desire. So at the very least I have a means to play whilst yearning for mine.

[MuranoSilver]

Great friend to have!

[Fi Wilson]

Yes, I went for the good old Paragon in the end Nic. Well as of this morning when I placed the order. Thanks for the advice. Just trying not to think of the credit card bill!!!

[elliboo]

I've got an SC2 as well. I've only had it for a couple of months but I love it!
If you're buying it to help start a business (or, I think, within 3 years of start up) like I was you might be able to get some funding from business link (think that's the national name - it's Sheffield Enterprise Agency here). They have been great so far with me, and funded my kiln (mine has a bead door too as they were paying!) and a rolling mill. It might be worth getting in touch.

[CeliaDM]

I spent hours last night on a search engine looking for kilns and it would seem that the Paragon SC2 is the one to go for, so I have told Gerald my husband that he can treat me to one for my birthday which is only 2 months away. He didn't look at all pleased when I ushered him over to the computer to reveal the price though.