Lost my mind and bought a kiln -what next??

[stereoette]

I found a great deal on a somewhat older electric kiln and snagged it. (Its an Allcraft Model 88) I mainly plan to use it for PMC, but I'm also interested in enameling and in trying to fuse glass.

Now I'm trying to figure out what else I need to use the kiln properly and safely.

I know I will at least need goggles, gloves, and a bit of extra common sense, but what else? Does a kiln need a stand, or does that depend on which one you have?

My research tells me that I am at *least* going to need a pyrometer to fire glass, and would be a lot better off with a controller. Have y'all ever bought such things to retrofit a kiln?

As you can tell, I'm in the buyers remourse "my god what have i done???" phase ;o) I put a call into the manufacturer but they are closed for the holiday and i am impatient ;o)

I'd love any help/suggestions!

[stereoette]

well, nobody has replied (granted its been less than 24 hours) but ive been doing some looking, and I figured i'd post what i found in hopes it will help someone else!

do i need a stand:

http://www.paragonweb.com/forums.cfm?FType=detail&bb_titleid=476

[mishoozles]

Hello!

So sorry no one responded in time, I am a glass fuser (7 years) so this is what I would get for glass any way

First place your kiln on a flam resistant surface I have picture in my flickr I should post for you

You do need gloves, kiln shelf, primer, hake brush to put the primer on the shelf, a old jar to mix you primer, I would get more than one shelf, so you can work on a shelf while the other one is cooling. sand paper to sand the kiln shelf you can only use it about 2 times before it needs primer again otherwise your whatever you fuse will get a chalky backing. you need nippers and splitters and glass cutter with class cutter oil.

extra things you may want to get but don't need right away is a grinder to make the edges nice, Dremel tool to clean up tight spots and if the shelf primer does stick to your piece it is a quick clean buffer. Build you glass stash slowly that is fun.

If you have any questions let me know I will do my best to help, I don't have the same kiln you have but I will do my best. I bet I can think of 20 more things you need so do be surprise if I pop back in LOL

good luck with your adventure
Michelle )

[stereoette]

thank you thank you! I was thinking about getting a metal stand like you have and now I know its probably the right choice. I'd like something that rolls so i can pull it away from the wall while I'm firing it.

thanks again for the advice! i got the kiln home yesterday and I am getting excited again!

[mishoozles]

I am glad you are excited, if you want to see my new studio set up I have some pics in my flickr ) Just posted them last night

[HSG]

Shoozles knows her stuff! I have bought items from her, and get compliments on them all the time.

[DiSKoGiRL]

Ooh, be careful with the shelf wash, though, it's a carcinogen if breathed in. I usually scrape my shelves off into the garbage and really try to avoid brething in the dust!

[TickleTickle]

Discogirl, good point!

I like thinfire paper SO much more than kiln wash....ick.  Kilnwash leaves the backs of my work looking nasty, and rough, I quit using kilnwash a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time ago.

Thinfire is the way to go. 

You still need to use a mask when messing around with that stuff too.  I'd always rather be safe than sorry.

I'd also make sure you have plenty of shelving, and containers for all the little goodies you're going to be accumulating, it'll be A LOT.  Trust me here. 

I have an entire room devoted to my craft, if you can do that, definitely do it.  And if you have carpet in that room? rip it up.  Glass shards love to hide in the fibers of carpeting. 

In your studio, a good bright light is essential too, since you'll be working with colors.

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned eye safety.  Goggles.  4 dollars from Delphi.  Don't go w/o them.

BUT....

the most important thing you can do for yourself is buy yourself a CLASS. 

Understanding and KNOWING what glass can and can't do, is essential, you MUST understand COE...

...that way, when you start incorporating your pieces together, adding things like metal,paper,frit,sand,stringers,beads,gems, you name it....you'll know if you've taken proper responsibility to insure that you've made a QUALITY piece of art, and not one that is guaranteed to break after a month, a year....who knows.

Incompatible COE fusing is the number one most irresponsible thing a fuser can do. *in my opinion*

SO...

1.  knowledge
2.  toys