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FAQ/Answer |
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Can I convert a 3 phase kiln to single phase? |
It may be feasible to convert the kiln from 3 phase to single phase; it depends on the model. You may have to upgrade the wires in your kiln’s switch box to handle the higher amperage of single phase. In converting your kiln, you might not h ... [More] |
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Can Mayco's Creative Imagines be fired onto glass bottles? If so, should they be fired to full fuse? |
Mayco’s Creative Images are blank decal sheets. You can print your own decals onto the sheets with an HP laser black and white printer. Creative Images are designed for ceramics, but they can also be applied to glass. They survive fusing temperatures ... [More] |
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Can you heat polymer clay in a kiln? Or is the kiln too hot for polymer clay? |
I would get a cheap toaster oven for polymer clay. The clay bakes at a low temperature but also gives off fumes. The inside of the oven can become coated over time. I wouldn't put polymer in my Paragon SC-3 for that reason even though you could set t ... [More] |
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Do you have any firing pointers for school teachers? |
Maintenance men occasionally stand on a kiln to reach something. When your kiln is idle, keep a sign on the lid in English and Spanish: Do not stand on the kiln. Do not move the kiln. Do not place anything on top of it. ... [More] |
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I have just been given an old A-88B Paragon kiln. Do you have an owner's manual I may buy? |
Yes, we sell the manual. Please call 800-876-4328 to order a copy. Ask for the “A & B Series Instruction & Service Manual.” You can also download a free copy from our Instruction Manuals section of this website. (It is under Support.) ... [More] |
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Please explain some of the sounds that a kiln makes. |
We can often tell when something is about to fail on a car by the sounds it makes. Sometimes kilns give warning sounds, too. Here are some of the sounds that a kiln makes: 1) The elements on some kilns hum when they turn on. This is because t ... [More] |
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There is a gap between the kiln and the lid near the hinge. Is this normal? |
The gap under the lid at the hinge is normal. As the kiln heats up, the firebricks expand, which causes the body of the kiln to grow taller. The gap is designed to help prevent the front of the lid from rising at high temperatures. ... [More] |
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There is rust dust on the floor under the front edge of the kiln. Is this serious? What should I do? |
If you live in a humid area, kiln rust is normal. However, rust can usually be prevented by drying the ware more thoroughly before firing. Firing moist greenware not only rusts the kiln but also slows down the firing and wastes electricity. If you mu ... [More] |
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What basic safety guidelines do you recommend? |
During firing, check the kiln from time to time. Observe the normal sounds that it makes and the length of firing time. Once you are familiar with the normal operation of your kiln, you will be more likely to notice when something goes wrong. ... [More] |
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What causes firebricks to crack? |
We are accustomed to using products that stay new looking for years—cars, furniture, cameras. But kilns are different. The high temperatures they reach generate tremendous stresses. Since the insulating firebricks expand and contract with each firing ... [More] |
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What is mixed into the clay to make porous firebricks? |
Sawdust. When it burns off, it leaves holes in the firebricks for air insulation. ... [More] |
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What is the difference between glass separator and kiln wash? |
Glass separator and kiln wash are finely ground minerals that do not fuse at high temperatures. They serve the same function: to prevent glaze and glass from sticking to the shelf. The glass separator and kiln wash that Paragon sells are made ... [More] |
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What is the difference in the cost to fire a kiln in a warm room compared to firing in a cold room? |
Room temperature has almost no effect on the electrical cost of firing a kiln. However, if your kiln is under a carport that has open sides, protect the kiln from wind. Air blowing against the case can raise the electrical cost slightly. If you use a ... [More] |
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What is the K factor of a firebrick? |
The K factor is a measurement of how fast energy travels through an insulating refractory firebrick. ... [More] |
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Why does my kiln have a 1/2" hole in the center of the lid? |
Ceramic pieces release gases and water vapor during firing. Venting allows these gases to escape from the firing chamber. The hole in the lid is designed to improve venting. For most ceramic materials, leave the lid closed and peephole plugs out duri ... [More] |
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Why does my kiln make a buzzing sound? |
A gentle buzzing sound from a kiln is reassuring, because it means the elements are firing normally. On a kiln that uses relays, such as digital kilns, a louder chattering, buzzing noise usually means a relay is about to fail. An infinite control swi ... [More] |
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Why shouldn’t you apply kiln wash to the underside of the lid and shelves or to the kiln walls? |
Kiln wash is made of minerals that do not fuse at high temperature. When applied to a kiln shelf, the kiln wash helps prevent dripping glaze from embedding into the shelf. Kiln wash is designed for easy removal from the shelf so that when glaze stick ... [More] |
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on:
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“Custom and standard Kilns and Industrial Furnaces for ceramics, pottery, heat treating, enameling, |
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