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Just got my Paragon 6 Galss kiln and......

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 5:22 pm
by tel
I'm a bit overwhelmed on how to get started. The directions are directed towards a person with experience, which I have NONE of.

I saw a video for sale "An Introduction to the Fusing and Slumping of Glass (2 Volume Set)" and was wondering if any of you have seen this or have a really good recommendation on something very basic to get us started.

I really appreciate all input, I deparately need help!

Thank you!

Tess

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 6:06 pm
by Bob
Hi Tess,

Welcome to F2A2 (First Firing Anxiety Attack). We have all had them so what you are experiencing is quiet normal. In the banner at the top of this page is the topic "Tutorial". I would try the tile/coaster project. Don't worry about the design ... just fire something simple. Next read Brad's book from cover to cover. Start small and accept that you will make mistakes. Relax. Given enough glass, enough electricity, and enough time it will all work out.

Have fun.

Cheers,

Bob

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 6:14 pm
by tel
Thanks Bob! I think my head is going to pop open! :shock: I'm usually really good at figuring this stuff out and I'm feeling a bit lame at the moment. I will do as advised. Be on the lookout for several spastic posts from me soon........ :wink:

Thanks Tess

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2004 11:49 am
by Mark Hughes
MOST IMPORTANT!---What Bob said---"Read Brad's Book" it will save you $$$ and time!

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2004 12:01 pm
by Steve Immerman
I agree with Bob.

1- Start with small projects that don't require huge amounts of glass and design time.
2- Keep a log of everything that you do. Build on your successes, and learn from your mistakes.
3- Try to keep your pieces two 3mm layers thick. A simple starting project is a coaster as Bob indicated. Cut two equal squares (3 or 4"). Put one on top of the other. Add some small pieces on top as design elements. Fire to 1490-1500 with a 10-15 minute hold and see what comes out! Put several in the kiln at at time with different colors and designs and experiment. You'll be pleased.

Steve

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 10:15 am
by kelly alge
Do you know any other fusers in your area? Sometimes it helps just to have someone else around for support on your first firing- even if all they do is sit there!

When I first got my kiln, my husband very quietly walked up behind me, set the fire extinguisher at my feet, kissed the top of my head, and walked out of the room :)

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 1:52 pm
by tel
Steve, Mark, Bob and Kelly - thank you so much for your replies. How long before I stop feeling so nervous about this? Paragon 7 glass kiln to be installed tomorrow, fire up is set for Thursday. Yikes!

Kelly - I just about died laughing at your post!

Do you all run your kilns when you are not home? I will have it in an empty room on a concrete floor, but I'm still worried about a fire, I have a baby to worry about.

Also, without venting, will it make my house hell hot in the summer? Heat does rise and it will be in the basement.

Any and all input welcome. I appreciate your help. :shock:

Tess

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 2:41 pm
by kelly alge
Tess,

I have an 18" Jen-Ken in my small studio-(ground level) it doesn't really change the room temp. much at all unless I'm firing it over and over- I also have an oval kiln that does heat up the room- feels good in the winter! If your kiln is in the basement I doubt that you'll have a heat problem from it, especially with that size.

I am ashamed to say that I have left home with my kiln running for short amounts of time, (go to the bus stop/ post office, etc.) but I try to make sure it's on the cool-down... it's not a good habit to get into, especially if you're like me and get sidetracked easily. Even with a good controller and a concrete floor- I think it could be inviting trouble.

I couldn't agree more with Steve about keeping records of everything you do- you'll avoid repeating mistakes, and you'll gain a better understanding of what you're doing.

Good luck!

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 3:41 pm
by Bob
Hi Tel,

I would avoid leaving the kiln unattended. The relay switches that control the flow of electricity to the elements can seize leaving the power running to one set of elements in the kiln. This can cause a kiln to overheat.

Where I live the heat from the kiln does not apprecaibly change the temperature of the basement room that I use as a studio.

Does the anxiety associated with firing ever stop? Yup... it is just a matter of experience.

Cheers,

Bob

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 3:49 pm
by Glenda Kronke
tel wrote:Steve, Mark, Bob and Kelly - thank you so much for your replies. How long before I stop feeling so nervous about this? Paragon 7 glass kiln to be installed tomorrow, fire up is set for Thursday. Yikes!

Kelly - I just about died laughing at your post!

Do you all run your kilns when you are not home? I will have it in an empty room on a concrete floor, but I'm still worried about a fire, I have a baby to worry about.

Also, without venting, will it make my house hell hot in the summer? Heat does rise and it will be in the basement.

Any and all input welcome. I appreciate your help. :shock:

Tess
Tess, Please check out the archives on safety, especially since you have a baby. I don't know what kind of set up you have, but with your kiln being in the basement, make sure you have adequite venting, etc. Please do your research on venting, burning off binders if you use fiber paper, making sure you are not using products that will release toxins into the air that could possibly make it upstairs. A lot of what we do requires using a respirator and that would be something to consider also.
Not trying to alarm you but.... safety should be a top concern.

Good luck!

glenda

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 4:00 pm
by tel
Thank you Glenda I will.

Tess

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 4:04 pm
by Barbara Muth
My first kiln was a Paragon Quickfire - the tabletop marshmallow. Immediately after I purchased it, someone who wanted to sell me a different kiln (with a controller) told me a boatload of horror stories that were probably not true, but what did I know?

I had plenty of nightmares of burning down the house and waited almost five months to fire up that little marshmallow. Finally I fired it up.

When the big kiln (well medium- I don't have a coffin kiln yet!) was wired up and ready to go, I coulnd't wait to get started. Confidence comes with experience. Just don't get cocky, remember safety, ask all the questions you need to ask, and have a blast!

Barbara

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 4:05 pm
by Kathie Karancz
Tel: I felt just like you did 3 years ago after I took Bob's classes. It really helped to do what you are doing and ask questions. The next thing you know you will be firing away!! Just to let you know that I haven't done anything in 8 months (except for my mags) and I too have the same feelings back again. I hope it's like riding a bicycle!!!!! :roll:

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 10:50 pm
by kelly alge
Barbara-

That was my first kiln too- and I loved it until about a month ago when I finally killed it for good- I had just finished some little pieces, and unpluged the kiln (so I thought)... Three hours later, and after I went out to lunch with a friend, I returned to a weird smell- Turns out that I unplugged the space heater that I had on the same outlet, and left the kiln running all that time...

Lessons learned:

Plugs look alike.
Mullite shelves bend and distort into some very funky shapes...
Angels (lots of them) live on my roof- directly above my studio.
My husband is a smart, smart man. :-$ [/quote]