Hello all, I am new to the beadmaking community and I am looking for some helpful input. I am just starting to set up my lampworking studio and as we all know the expense is ... eeeek. I read the earlier posts on kilns and it has been very helpful. I am looking for an affordable kiln to anneal my beads and one that if I chose to I could also do some enameling. I also want something with a digital temp control that I can program. Does anybody have any thoughts about the Jen Ken Bead Box kiln? It seems quite reasonably priced. Also any tips on how to find a reliable refurbished (affordable) oxygen concentrator? Thanks all!!

We are running a special on concentrators for another week. The concentrator usually retails for $420. Right now it's $375 including shipping. Plus, you get a chance to win a free torch!

http://www.soleiletlune.com/webstore/product.php?productid=16571&cat=0&page=1&featured

As for kilns, we use and recommend the Jen Ken Chili Pepper. It's a great kiln, and pretty inexpensive as kilns go. We use two of them in our teaching studio, I have one at my house, and we sell many, many of them.

aidensmommy,

How serious are you about the enameling option?

CDV sells a Paragon kiln that is very affordable considering all that it offers to bead makers as well as enamellists. Right now the price is even less than what I paid several years ago. I use mine mostly for annealing beads, but it is also a good kiln for enameling. I teach enameling and several of my students have bought this kiln and are happy with it.

http://cdvkiln.com:80/menuglas.htm

Easy Open Front Load Kiln 8"x 6"x 12"

Not sure if this link takes you to the exact kiln I am writing about. If not, search the site for a Paragon kiln that is on sale now for $611 plus shipping.

My model uses regular current, not 220, and works fine. Not sure why Paragon made the change, perhaps it is a good idea.

Things I like about this kiln for enameling purposes:
- made of brick not fiber
- large, high chamber
- recessed coils
- turns off when door is opened
- full metal jacket

In addition to above features, for annealing beads I like it because:
- It is 12" deep. (I don't like mandrels sticking out of a bead door)
- it is brick, not fiber
- great digital controller


Be sure to purchase a kiln shelf floor for it and coat that with kiln wash as enamels have a way of falling off your work. Very bad for fire brick (or fiber).

If you do order this from CDV, ask about estimated delivery time. I have heard very good things from my students who dealt with CDV. I bought mine from a supplier I can't recommend, although it was drop shipped from Paragon (an excellent builder of kilns).

I am interested to hear what kiln you purchase.

Can't tell you much about the kiln you are looking at but I have a Fuse Box II by E.K. Miller and have been pleased with it. Will fuse, has a bead door or whole top can be lifted for larger items or for loading when doing "batch annealing".

I got a refurbished O2 concentrator pretty cheap about 3 years ago from a company called Suncoast Beads in Florida. The lady that sold it to me was Paulette and she was very helpful. She even talked me thru the set up once it arrived. Haven't had any problems with it and would definately go with a concentrator instead of a tank.

Beth

Suncoast Beads is no longer in business. Paulette got out of the business last year. I believe she sold all her inventory to someone else, but I'm not sure who.

This is who Paulette sold her business to:

http://www.pyronamix.com/index.html

This is a very informative site that will answer many questions re: concentrators, generators, etc.

I can't say anything about their service as I haven't dealt with them personally. As for prices compared to anyone else's, I haven't done any comparison shopping lately, but you should deal with someone you trust and not necessarily go for the cheapest price. I bought my rebuilt concentrator and my new generator both from Paulette before she retired. Hopefully Pyronamix will provide the same excellent customer service that Paulette did.

Carol

www.oxygenplusmedical.com has the best prices and guarantees for concentrators - they are a really knowledgeable and friendly family run operation -

and bigceramicstore.com had the best prices for kilns - i use the paragon EZbeader with digital controller - it is easy to program and works like a charm!

check them both out -

hope it helps..

andrea
www.believablebalderdash.com
www.mainlinebeadsociety.org

also...i read a lot about the kilns and the chili peppers have been having problems breaking down - apparently the thermostat relay switches go out fast on them because the boxes are not as insulated as a brick kiln - so in the end it cost you more money.

www.bigceramicstore.com - here is the link -

andrea

I have sold many, many Chili Peppers in the past year and a half. I have only had one reported case of relay failure. Pretty good track record in my opinion.