Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
Summary of Contents for Paragon Glass Kiln
- Page 1 Beadmaking, Glassblowing, Fusing and Glass Kiln Manual Sundance Glass...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
Introduction Thank you for choosing this kiln! We have designed it to give you many years of reliable service. Please read this manual. It will help you gain the maximum enjoyment from your kiln. It will show you how to avoid damag- ing the kiln and will answer many questions. -
Page 3: Safety
Safety Overfiring The warranty on you r kiln does not cover damage from overfiring, regardless of the circumstances. It is the operator’s responsibility to make sure the kiln turns off at the proper time. The Ceramic Fiber Avoid touching the firing chamber surface with sharp or pointed objects. -
Page 4: Setting Up The Kiln
Setting Up the Kiln Electrical Installation You must plug your kiln into a circuit that no other appli- ance uses while the kiln is firing. Turn off the circuit breaker or unscrew the fuse for the circuit that your kiln will be plugged into. -
Page 5: Basic Operation
Basic Operation Accessories Ceramic Fiber Shelves The soft ceramic fi- ber shelf, which comes standard with the kiln, cradles gold and silver c l a y p i e c e s . T h e s e shelves are not suitable for firing glass or ce- ramics. -
Page 6: Important Guidelines
Important Guidelines The Embedded Heating Element The heating elements of your kiln are embedded into the ceramic fiber firing chamber. The firing chamber surface is hardened to a depth of ¼”. This makes the fiber more dura- ble. It is important that you do not touch the firing chamber with sharp objects. -
Page 7: Loading The Kiln
The Optional Glass View Port Caution: Wear fir- ing safety glasses whenever looking into the optional view port. Maximum tempera- ture for a kiln with view port is 1700°F/926°C. Firing hotter will damage the glass. See page 17 for glass port maintenance instructions. -
Page 8: Venting The Kiln
As you gain experience, you will know just how much drying time each type of piece needs. You can speed drying with a hair dryer. Loading the Kiln Silver clay pieces that have a flat side can be placed inside the kiln directly onto a shelf. -
Page 9: Venting The Kiln
If the piece needs only shallow support of ¼” depth or less, pour the alumina hydrate onto a ceramic fireclay shelf. Support the fireclay shelf on three ½” posts to aid heat flow under the shelf. If the silver clay shape needs deeper support, pour the alumina hydrate into an unglazed ceramic bisque bowl. -
Page 10: Glass Fusing & Slumping
Glass Fusing & Slumping You will probably fire mostly stained glass, but you can also fire standard float (window) glass. Some types of float glass devitrify (form a dull, frosty surface) when fired. Caution: Never fire tempered glass. It could ex- plode if heated inside a kiln. -
Page 11: Cleaning And Gluing The Glass
on the side of caution if you aren’t sure how long to anneal. Small projects such as earrings rarely need annealing time as they cool. Cleaning and Gluing the Glass Grease, dirt, and fingerprints etch per- manently into the glass during firing. Clean the glass with glass cleaner (the type without silicones),... -
Page 12: Enameling On Metal
Enameling on Metal Preparing the Copper Enamels come in transparent or opaque. They can be purchased directly from Thompson Enamel, P.O. Box 310, Newport, Kentucky 41072. Their Lead Free Enamels come ready to use. No enamel washing is required for these enam- els. -
Page 13: Firing Enamel
agent to keep the grains of enamel in place. Allow the enamel to dry completely before firing. Firing Enamel 1 Heat the kiln to 1450°F/787°C for most enameling. Use a Single Segment. (Please see your digital con- troller instruction manual.) Rate Temp. -
Page 14: Lost Wax Burnout
China paints will crack or peel if ap- plied heavily. Apply several light coats in- stead, firing between each, until you get the shade you want. Not all china paint colors r e ach ma x im u m color saturation at the same temperature even when fired on the same ware. -
Page 15: Burnout Instructions
Segment 1 heats the wax to 300°F/148°C and holds it for one hour, allowing it to drip from the mold. Segment 2 hardens the mold. Segment 3 lowers temperature to 800°F/426°C, the typi- cal casting temperature for silver. (Most types of gold cast at 900°F/482°C.) Note: Casting temperature depends on the size of the mold. -
Page 16: Ceramic Overglaze
be asleep while the glass cools and they won’t be tempted to open the door. After each firing, examine the shelf. Recoat if the kiln wash is chipped. When glass sticks to a bare section of shelf, the glass cracks. Glass Bubbles Probable Causes: Heating the Kiln Too Fast... -
Page 17: Kiln Maintenance
Kiln Maintenance Trouble-Shooter Kiln Does Not Turn On, Display is Blank Make sure the circuit breaker is in the “on” po- sition. If the circuit breaker is on, check the kiln’s fuse. Re- move by pressing on the fuse holder and turning counter-clockwise half a turn. -
Page 18: Replacing The Thermocouple
Replacing the Thermocouple 1 Unplug the kiln. 2 Remove the four screws holding the controller to the front of the kiln. Carefully remove the control- ler. 3 Remove the two thermocouple wires from the back of the controller. They are held in place by button or lever type connectors. -
Page 19: Replacing The Temperature Controller
Place the new part next to the old one, aligned in the same direction. Re- move and replace one wire at a time. In the photo, the relay is being re- placed. The transformer is the part in the foreground. 4 Hold the new part next to the one you are replacing, aligned in the same direction.
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