We have been making fused glass hens and bees, along with a few other bits and pieces. This is the final result post firing. For this run I reduced the temperature to 795 degrees C for 10 minutes as I felt that the 800 degrees C run was slightly over cooked and melted.
This is how it all started for the hen:
And this is the kiln shelf full of hens, bees and beads. I am also refiring the plate I was trying to make into a dish, but for which I overdid the bubbles. I have since popped them and am putting them through the kiln again to flatten it down, before I make it into shallow bowl.
Hello Andy,
I am based in Newbury, Berkshire and have attended several glass fusing courses over the past eighteen months. Like you, I am now thinking of buying my own kiln and wondered where you have housed yours and how much area it takes up?
Look forward to your reply
Many thanks
Hi
we bought a Kilncare hobbyfuser .
At the more expensive end but all advice was to go for it. it uses IR rather than heated elements, which are apparently easier to replace. They are also much more economical to run. Even on a 24 hour run it only uses about 6kW, less than £1.
We have it in our studio, which is upstairs and so of course on a standard wooden floor. it weighs less than a person would standing in the same place. It took 2 of us to carry it up, minus the heat bricks. I made a stand from the wooden crate used to deliver the glass, with shelves under it to house the glass and bits and pieces. It is 60cm square and needs about 20cm behind to give the lid space.
Overall not much room required.
Enjoy
Oh and just to add, it doesn’t get too hot either. When it is at full 800 degrees you can still touch the lid (the hottest external part). You wouldn’t touch it for long, but it does not become an issue for location, unless you have small children, who might not understand not to touch.