Jim and Marge Wade on sat 5 may 01
I'd also like to know about Duncan kilns. Someone I know will be selling
hers soon. This one is a little larger than the one Ray is looking at and
fires to cone 10. It has a regular fire brick lid but no vent that I know
of. I thought it might be a way for me to try the electric/gas conversion
kiln that Mel has written about. I have also heard of using an old electric
kiln for soda firing, though I have no idea how that would work.
I welcome any suggestions/comments.
Marge
> From: Ray Found
> Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
> Date: Sat, 5 May 2001 18:35:54 EDT
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Duncan kiln (Arnold at paragon please respond)
>
> I am looking at purchasing a used duncan kiln. it is 17.5" diameter and 20"
> deep. asking price is $400 ( I think i can get it for less) and this seems
> like a steal considering it is rated to cone 8 and has only ever been fired
> low fire, and less than ten times at that. I have just a few questions:
>
> I understand that paragon has bought Duncan...Are there any problems getting
> parts for a duncan kiln?
>
> If it is rated to cone 8, can it do cone 5 stoneeware without unreasonable
> element wear?
>
> If it has a ceramic fiber lid (im not sure if it does or not) does this make
> it fragile or easily damaged?
>
> What are duncan kilns like in general?
>
> Thanks,
> Ray Found
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
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>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
PAX on sat 5 may 01
Hi Ray,
Just FYI, I bought a similar size used paragon a couple of years ago for
$250. It included a sitter, 3 full shelves, 2 half shelves and more in the
way of furniture. It's also rated to cone 8 and I've fired as high as 5.
While mine appears to have been used much more that what you describe, and
though I'm certainly no expert on the pricing of used kilns, seems like you
can do better. I'm sure you'll get better info from many others who have
more experience than I do, but thought you'd want to know this.
Good Luck,
Barbara in Tucson AZ
----- Original Message -----
From: Ray Found
To:
Sent: Saturday, May 05, 2001 3:35 PM
Subject: Duncan kiln (Arnold at paragon please respond)
> I am looking at purchasing a used duncan kiln. it is 17.5" diameter and
20"
> deep. asking price is $400 ( I think i can get it for less) and this seems
> like a steal considering it is rated to cone 8 and has only ever been
fired
> low fire, and less than ten times at that. I have just a few questions:
>
> I understand that paragon has bought Duncan...Are there any problems
getting
> parts for a duncan kiln?
>
> If it is rated to cone 8, can it do cone 5 stoneeware without unreasonable
> element wear?
>
> If it has a ceramic fiber lid (im not sure if it does or not) does this
make
> it fragile or easily damaged?
>
> What are duncan kilns like in general?
>
> Thanks,
> Ray Found
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Ray Found on sat 5 may 01
I am looking at purchasing a used duncan kiln. it is 17.5" diameter and 2=
0"
deep. asking price is $400 ( I think i can get it for less) and this seem=
s
like a steal considering it is rated to cone 8 and has only ever been fir=
ed
low fire, and less than ten times at that. I have just a few questions:
I understand that paragon has bought Duncan...Are there any problems gett=
ing
parts for a duncan kiln?
If it is rated to cone 8, can it do cone 5 stoneeware without unreasonabl=
e
element wear?
If it has a ceramic fiber lid (im not sure if it does or not) does this m=
ake
it fragile or easily damaged?
What are duncan kilns like in general?
Thanks,
Ray Found
Valice Raffi on sun 6 may 01
Ray,
I have an old Duncan kiln similar to the one you're thinking about buying.
Mine is 23" wide (interior) and 20" high, which is great for a short person
like me! Although, as my work gets larger I do wish for a taller kiln so I
wouldn't have to do all that math trying to figure out where the sections
should be!
I bought it used 13 years ago for 350. When I bought it, I replaced the
elements and switches. Last year, after discovering plug and recepticle
damage, I hard-wired it. I also replaced the fiber lid with a Skutt brick
lid last year because of flaking (ITC won't work on old fiber), they don't
make the fiber lids anymore. I'm about to replace the kiln sitter sensing
rod just 'cause it's getting old. I haven't had any trouble getting parts,
I get them from a local supplier.
Mine is rated to ^6. For most of it's life with me it's been used for
low-fired sculpture (^06-^3), but I have fired to ^5 numerous times with no
apparent damage to the elements or anything else. The elements are all
still in their grooves with no sagging.
It's worked well for me, but because it's an "automatic", I have to babysit
the bisque firings or the temp would rise too fast.
Sounds like a pretty good deal!
Valice
in Sacramento, CA USA
Arnold Howard on mon 7 may 01
Ray, I have inserted answers below to your questions about Duncan
kilns:
--- Ray Found wrote:
> I am looking at purchasing a used duncan kiln. it is 17.5"
> diameter and 20"
> deep. asking price is $400 ( I think i can get it for less) and
> this seems
> like a steal considering it is rated to cone 8 and has only ever
> been fired
> low fire, and less than ten times at that. I have just a few
> questions:
>
> I understand that paragon has bought Duncan...Are there any
> problems getting
> parts for a duncan kiln?
In 1996, Duncan discontinued manufacturing kilns and appointed
Paragon as the source for Duncan kiln parts. We carry enough parts
to keep most Duncan kilns running well into the future: switches,
elements, bricks, brick bottoms and lids, etc.
>
> If it is rated to cone 8, can it do cone 5 stoneeware without
> unreasonable
> element wear?
The kiln should have no problem reaching cone 5 provided your power
source is adequate.
>
> If it has a ceramic fiber lid (im not sure if it does or not)
> does this make
> it fragile or easily damaged?
The ceramic fiber lid and bottom, in my opinion, are not as good as
the firebrick version. They don't last as long.
>
> What are duncan kilns like in general?
Duncan kilns are impressive. I like the separate box that holds the
electronic controller off to the side (near the top of the box).
The EA and DA series kilns with the 4300 fixed interval timer and
4600 repeat cycle timer have the most problems. These timers are
mounted to the bottom of the inside of the switch box.
Good luck with your Duncan kiln purchase.
With best wishes,
Arnold Howard
Paragon
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