DonKopy@aol.com on tue 11 nov 97
Hi,
Someone recently asked about a kiln that was sold as "The Best Little Test
Kiln". I'm sorry to say I've got one. I can't tell you how many times I have
sworn at this piece of crap. As Ken would say, I mean that in a loving, kind,
nurturing, non-judgmental way.
If you intend to use it at cone 10 (as promised by the manufacturer) you will
be frustrated. I have had a few conversations with the owner of the company (
I think he was the company until, well......he got a job). He explianed the
physical impossibility of my kiln not being able to reach temperature. My
kiln failed to agree with his logic. He stopped by the studio to personally
drop of a set of newly wound "really heavy duty, super elements, guaranteed
to offer more power than this kiln could ever use....oh they may be too
powerful, please be careful..) The number you have reached is no longer in
service at this time.........It failed to live up to it's hype.
The theory is good but in my judgment it's execution leaves a lot to be
desired. The controller is ....well.....um....er...Sigh, not the best, no
that's too good, WHAT WAS HE THINKING!!!???. The thermocouple is a rather odd
size (meaning I have no idea where I might get a replacement) and supposedly
"it was placed in such a way as to not really be exposed to the full
temperature of the kiln and the pyrometer calibrated to compensate for this".
I have ITC coated the kiln in hopes of saving it. Still it fails to make
temperature. I last used it to fire some tera cotta samples to about 1900*F
and it did that OK. I recently opened the box to take a resistance reading of
the elements (having the meter out for another repair project on another
kiln.) I have at times dreamed that I could make this thing work as promised.
On openning the box I saw the state of the connections and wiring and just
closed it up again not wanting to tackle that can of worms and waste another
day messing around with it.
So if you are thinking of buying that kiln ask yourself that questions the
realtors always like to pose before showing you that dog of a house. Are you
handy? Open up that box on the front of the kiln and imagine yourself
attempting to repair this with no documentation or designer assistance. I
dream of someday rewiring the thing, re-elementing it, pulling out the
connections to that handy dandy rats-nest of wires, and hooking it up to a
real controller. It would be satisfying to get some use out of it rather than
want to kick the damned thing when I walk by. Rarely have I been so
disappointed in a product .....er...um.... I mean, I hardly use mine, I have
only used it a handful of times as a matter of fact. I can absolutely
guarantee it's never been above 2175*, perhaps you would be interested in it.
I'll throw in a Norman kiln if the price is right. Of course it needs a
little work....are you handy?
Just my humble opinion,
Don Kopyscinski
Bear Hills Pottery
Newtown, CT
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