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Thread: Kiln question

  1. #21
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by The Dragon View Post
    I'm trying really, really hard not to give in to temptation and buy a paragon kiln from my savings!

    But like Su said there are so many things to learn ...and so many beautiful techniques to try ... and it has so many additional uses ... and it would speed up a lot of designs cos I can be doing othings while its cooking .... and ..... will you please stop laughing out there I'm doing my best.
    I know what you mean Annie - first I thought about an Ultralite - then I thought if I'm spending that amount I might as well get the Minikiln so I can fire more at once then I thought but what if I want to try bronze or copper clay? So I eventually talked myself into the more expensive option. Well, I've always had expensive tastes!!!!

  2. #22
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    Default Microwave kiln

    Speaking of kilns - does anyone have any experience (good or bad) of the microwave kiln?

  3. #23
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    Jul 2009
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    What's a microwave kiln (says with eyes wide open)?
    Linda

  4. #24
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
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    The topic of Microwave Kilns comes up every now and again...
    Microwave Kilns are ceramic based and made from the same material used to line the normal Kilns.

    To quote Tim McCreight (who wrote what is pretty much the metalsmiths bible)
    "One immediate problem is it is very difficult to know how long to run it. If you consider that most microwave
    popcorn packages say something like "Heat for one to six minutes, depending on your microwave," you get an
    idea of how different the units can be. If you are making a dozen identical pieces, and don't mind melting or
    under firing the first ten, you can determine the proper time for that unique shape and get those last two right.
    Not an ideal arrangement."

    For someone new to silver clay, I'd suggest a good torch would be more reliable. PLUS once those hot metal gasses
    have vented through the top into the microwave itself, you shouldn't then use if for food...

    The pros:
    1) Cheap initial outlay

    The Cons:
    1) You contaminate your microwave
    2) It's not suitable for hollow forms
    3) No temperature control or way of viewing
    4) Can melt you pieces as each microwave is different

    All in all I'd save up and buy something like the Ultralite Kiln
    (you can see one HERE) or save even more and buy a small
    Paragon, Prometheus or Evenheat...

    In the mean time good torch control would probably do for a lot of pieces
    Nic x
    Monthly FREE entry giveaways on Blogs!
    Shop Blog: http://muranosilver.blogspot.com/
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  5. #25
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    oohhhh... (heart sinks again)
    Linda

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