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Wuvie this is where I ordered mine. They are very reputable, ship within two weeks, and they take the time to help you make sure you get everything you need to get started. http://www.artglass1.com/kilnfnew.htm
I don't have a big kiln, just a small one to get started with (a bigger one will come along later). There's lots to consider - you have to make sure that where you're going to have the kiln set up is ready for it. Kilns come mostly in 240v or higher, so you'll have to make sure that the breaker & wiring you put it on will support it. Mine runs on 120v though (like I said it's small for annealing, fusing small items & test fires).
Do get an electronic controller. It's worth the money.
I bought mine locally. My local SG shop gave me a better deal than I could have gotten via the web.
Sandi is right about both the wiring and to check out your local SG suppliers first.
If you don't find a good price locally the next option for you will probably be to purchase online.
Unless you have a tax number you will save a bunch of money by purchasing out of state. I buy all of my equipment and materials and glass from out of state rather than buy from local or within state businesses.
I did finally get a tax number recently and this is what happened to me.
First I went to a local wholesaler to buy a bunch of COE glass and they treated me like poop. ... lol! (That's a whole nuther story I won't bore you with. :)
Then I went down the street to my favorite mom and pop SG place and bought 57 pounds of the fusible Bullseye COE glass I needed. The bill came to $612.00 minus about $35 state tax = $577.00.
I was told by the owner of my favorite shop that I could purchase online and come close to wholesale prices. Considering shipping and boxing fees I didn't believe her. Then another knowledgeable person told me the same thing. So I put their words to the test.
I ordered 57 lbs of the same glass online. Including surcharge and shipping the total was $396.81.
My two friends were right. It's not exactly wholesale but pretty darned close!
Glass arrived beautifully packed with not one little chip. And the source I bought from had a much better variety to choose from.
As you can tell I'm pro purchase online ... lol!
Wuvie- Read your thread & thought I'd drop a line too. I had a ceramics studio 12 years and did some glass, my mom taught over 30 years was a dealer for sgutt & paragon kilns. Two styles top opening and front opening both have advantages for glass work but it's hard to stretch glass unless the kiln is top loading. Before you buy new you might want to check out ebay -go to crafts punch in kilns- there are quite a few and a full range of prices. I'm partial to Sgutt & Paragon but cress, olympus are good too. If you have a good electrician friend even a non working element is easy to fix, old kilns never die they just hide in garages for 20-30 years. I used mine 12 yrs. stored it for 35 and use it again now. Definately have your wiring checked out first. Sandie is right about the kiln sitter- saves alot of sitting around. If you do get a used one it shouldn't be hard to get the manuals. Good luck
Sorry Wuvie - I saw you were looking for purple loosestrife and went to dmail you got sidetracked by your thread and forgot to give you the info that I was going to - the grower is Goldfinch Nursery - ?Ohio info@growingperrenials.com I bought from them several weeks ago- hostas& lilacs good plants ans service. Checking their online catalog I found they have 4 varieties of lythrum- all sterile hybreds. Morden's Pink, Morden's Gleam, Happy, and Robert. Last 2 are short varieties Owners name is Roger- it's a family business. I'm ordering each one this week. Do you have any of your yellow left- would love to get or trade something- hosta- fern, phlox or whatever.If I don't reply right away I will be back on line- getting lots of medical testing done right now. Thanks Kathy
Vee8che, did you go to the store in Cocoa I told you about? Are they the ones that treated you "poopy"? Let me know what happened if it was the Art Glass House.
I have a Paragon front - loading kiln with a computer control and a Paragon quick fire for small things. I've worked in glass for several years and teach classes in fusing. Unless you decide only to make small items (jewelry, small bowls, etc.) I would recommend getting the largest kiln your budget can handle. Also, for glass, the computer control is an amazing thing to have as you can program in several firing schedules after you know what works for you for different kinds of glass.
Right now, Skutt is marketing a "quick start" kiln. It has a 12" round shelf & is only about 6" high inside but it comes with the computer controler (don't like this controler as much as the sentry on the Paragon) This uses standard 110 & doesn't require special wiring or a special outlet. It fuses beautifully and costs under $700.00.
Glass kilns seldom show up at garage sales but pottery kilns do & they work just fine for glass fusing if you just buy a pyrometer.
Often, glass studios that offer classes will rent kiln time. If you have any in your area, you might consider this as an option to become familliar with a variety of kilns. I did this for a couple of years before I bought my first kiln. There's nothing quite as convenient as having a kiln at home.
I got the Jen-Ken AF3P 11/4.5 Kiln w/ 2" Flip Door and Programmable Controller for Glass Fusing. I chose this one because:
1) I make glass beads and wanted the annealing feature.
2) It runs on house current with no special wiring - but you have to make sure you don't have anything else on that circuit at the time or you'll blow a fuse!
3) I got this on ebay (the company sells thru there too) and the price was good.
4) It has pre-programmed firing schedules - thought they'd help with the learning curve
5) It's not too big and not too small. Thought it was a good size to start with.
I haven't used it yet - JUST got it - but I'm anxious to!
Check out this website - http://www.warmglass.com. And you have to get this book "Contemporary Warm Glass" by Brad somebody - comes highly recommended from what I've heard.
Good luck in choosing and let me know what you find out - maybe we can learn together!
Marcia
PS - the kiln can also be used for PMC and enamiling...so it's very versatile - and if you're looking at them - you don't need to be talked into one - LOL! You done got the fever!
I guess I cannot help you with where to find one, all I wanted to say was I would ablolutely LOVE to have one!!!! I am about to buy my first glass grinder, hopefully , in the future, who knows, but good luck! And have a blast. Louella (newbie)
