mel jacobson on mon 4 jul 05
remember vince...every kiln manufacturer has
a person that reads clayart.
they are listening...but as john has so timely
pointed out....`when are potters and folks going
to pay the price for high quality kilns?` ????
you can make a good kiln and see the orders...
NOT pouring in. all the time, research and dev...
and the kiln sits on the floor of the factory.
and we can hear the folks say.
`anybody know where i can get a cheap kiln?
or cheaply buy a kiln.`
if i had to buy a kiln tomorrow...even with my
contacts on clayart...i would order it from continental
clay. i get all my supplies from them. they do very
well competitively...and that is just fine. if i have to
pay an extra ten..so be it.
i agree with john. buy local...support local...promote local
vendors. everything that came in the door at hopkins high
came from continental clay or minnesota clay. often dropped shipped.
far too often potters will cut out local vendors to save 5 bucks.
the margin on clay and materials is thin. they have to work
hard to stay in business. they work hard for all of us.
you could design a 9 inch walled electric kiln...fibre backed,
all state of the art...and not sell very many.
just the nature of the beast.
i field tested an axner wheel...and paid for it.
i am sure howard would have cut a better deal...but i
did not want to be put in the position of taking stuff
then reporting to clayart. he was very impressed with
my stance...and we are life long friends. and i love that
little wheel.
i respect what john at paragon is doing...i respect what
steve is doing at L&L. bailey makes a great kiln.
the big issue is local availability, quality of the relay system. brick and
coils are rather standard...you have to know the guts of
the electronics and where it comes from.
a .29 cent part from malaysia, or a really good part from a good
manufacturer? there is the rub.
from mel/minnetonka.mn.usa
website: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
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