Carl Cravens on mon 3 oct 11
I like Mel's description... a manual kiln with kilnsitter is so much like a=
=3D
toaster it's almost boggling. Just need an ejector to pop the pots out whe=
=3D
n the sitter trips.
Provided they're cared for, kilns don't lose much valu=3D
e over time. If one has been sitting for forty years, unmolested and safe f=
=3D
rom the elements, it's going to be practically the same kiln it was when pu=
=3D
t into storage. Basically, if it looks good (a few cracks don't matter, so =
=3D
long as the elements are supported), and all the elements heat up, there's =
=3D
little else to go wrong, and what can go wrong is easily repaired.
I bough=3D
t a Skutt that runs $1200 new for $190 and considered it a steal, despite b=
=3D
ricks that couldn't support elements (pinned until I replace the elements, =
=3D
allowing me to easily replace the $12 bricks) and couldn't verify the elect=
=3D
rical integrity. There was nothing that could possibly be wrong with it tha=
=3D
t would cost enough to fix that would ruin that deal.
My small Paragon was=3D
built in '68 and it's in great condition, even though I'm at least the thi=
=3D
rd owner, the bottom ring + floor was dropped on a gravel walk, and it was =
=3D
moved about 500 miles twice, once by a moving company.
I've seen the same =3D
model for sale used for $400 or more at the local pottery supply, and every=
=3D
one of them looked like they'd fallen off the back of a truck, rolled down=
=3D
a hill, then spent twenty years housing a beehive. And they fired fine.
W=3D
hat *does* affect the price of used kilns the most is supply... man, last s=
=3D
pring, there was a kiln or three going up on Craigslist every week in my ar=
=3D
ea. Folks buy into a kiln, get bored with it, then just want to get rid of =
=3D
it because it's taking up to much space in the garage. Their loss, our gain=
=3D
. So be kind, but as another poster said... they may just want to get rid o=
=3D
f it, so don't be afraid to negotiate.
Dina Barnese on mon 3 oct 11
Hello Clayarters,
I have the opportunity to purchase a smaller electric kiln. It has been in
storage for several years. It doesn't look to me like it has been used much
at all. What are the things I should consider when buying an electric kiln
that has sat for a long time? The owner said it has been kept dry and out o=
f
the elements the entire time it was in storage.
I put pictures and specs up on my website, would appreciate any ideas you
have for a price for this kiln. Also, what work, if any, would you suggest
is performed on it prior to first use? They don't have a spot to hook it up
so first test would be at my place after buying it.
Thanks for lending your expertise once again!
http://www.zizziba.com/images/jjcresskiln/
--Dina
------------------------------------
Dina Barnese
Zizziba Studio
Flagstaff, Arizona
Pottery by John on mon 3 oct 11
Hey Dina,
I don't see a stand with it, so that is a consideration. Also the kiln
sitter appears to be missing the two little blades that support the junior
cone on the inside of the kiln, but that could be photography. My personal
choice would be to not fire this any higher than Cone 4 or 5 to minimize
pushing its design limit and to make the elements last longer between
changes, so how does that fit into your work style? Look with a mirror held
so you can look back into the grooves all around and see if there is any
damage, glaze or breaks in the elements. Make sure all the dials turn.
Both of the dials look like infinite temperature control to me, although
your description said limit timer. I would check that, although it would
not be a deal breaker for me, just a negotiating point. It looks pretty goo=
d
to me from the pictures.
Around where I am kilns are easy to come by; far easier than any other
studio equipment. I would try to get it for $100-150 or less. There is on=
e
on Ebay now at $50 in the bidding, but that is below reserve; didn't see an=
y
other "comparables" to go by. The Cress website has a general manual for
the A,B & C models available for download I noticed.
Good luck with your considerations.
John Lowes
Sandy Springs, Georgia
http://wynhillpottery.weebly.com/
William & Susan Schran User on tue 4 oct 11
On 10/3/11 3:12 PM, "Dina Barnese" wrote:
> I have the opportunity to purchase a smaller electric kiln. It has been i=
n
> storage for several years. It doesn't look to me like it has been used mu=
ch
> at all. What are the things I should consider when buying an electric kil=
n
> that has sat for a long time? The owner said it has been kept dry and out=
of
> the elements the entire time it was in storage.
> http://www.zizziba.com/images/jjcresskiln/
This is an older manually controlled kiln that has max firing temperature o=
f
^6, so unless you are thinking low fire, firing the kiln to it's max will
mean replacing elements more often. Looking at the image it was hard to see
if the kiln had a bottom/floor. It does not have a limit timer, just the
kilnsitter. You will still need to buy kiln furniture and get wired up to
run the kiln. I would offer $325.
Bill
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
Raymond Jimison on fri 7 oct 11
Dana,=3D0AI have an old Cress Kiln. It is the FX23P.=3D0AAs Mel says this i=
s li=3D
ke a toaster, it just runs, and runs.=3D0AI have had this kiln for about a =
ye=3D
ar.=3DA0 It had gone thru a studio fire so obviously it does not look as go=
od=3D
as the one you are looking at.=3DA0 I paid $350.00 and just love it.=3D0AI=
use=3D
it primarily for bisc for raku, though I have done a couple cone 6 firings=
=3D
in it.=3D0AGreat buy.=3D0A=3DA0=3D0ASandra Jimison=3D0ABeaufort, SC=3D0Aji=
misonpots@ho=3D
tmail.com=3D0A=3DA0=3D0A=3DA0=3D0A=3DA0=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A_____________________=
___________=3D0AFrom=3D
: Dina Barnese =3D0ATo: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=3D0=
ASen=3D
t: Monday, October 3, 2011 3:12 PM=3D0ASubject: Help valuing kiln?=3D0A=3D0=
AHello=3D
Clayarters,=3D0A=3D0AI have the opportunity to purchase a smaller electric=
kil=3D
n. It has been in=3D0Astorage for several years. It doesn't look to me like=
i=3D
t has been used much=3D0Aat all. What are the things I should consider when=
b=3D
uying an electric kiln=3D0Athat has sat for a long time? The owner said it =
ha=3D
s been kept dry and out of=3D0Athe elements the entire time it was in stora=
ge=3D
.=3D0A=3D0AI put pictures and specs up on my website, would appreciate any =
idea=3D
s you=3D0Ahave for a price for this kiln. Also, what work, if any, would yo=
u =3D
suggest=3D0Ais performed on it prior to first use? They don't have a spot t=
o =3D
hook it up=3D0Aso first test would be at my place after buying it.=3D0A=3D0=
AThank=3D
s for lending your expertise once again!=3D0A=3D0Ahttp://www.zizziba.com/im=
ages=3D
/jjcresskiln/=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A--Dina=3D0A=3D0A-------------------------------=
-----=3D0A=3D
=3D0ADina Barnese=3D0AZizziba Studio=3D0AFlagstaff, Arizona
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