AlanJanzen Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 I have the opportunity to pick up a used Brent wheel (bought in late 90s and used for about a year before being placed in storage) and a Paragon kiln that apparently has not been fired. There are a number of other pieces in the sale including a number of bats for throwing and finishing and possibly other things like tools and glazes. I wanted to see if I could pick anyone's brain on the value of the wheel and the kiln so I can feel good about the purchase and the quality of the items. I know there will be a bit of a learning curve using a non-digital kiln, but it seems like I might be able to get a good deal here as the owner is emptying a storage unit. Any thoughts on the value of the items pictured? Thank you in advance for your expertise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 Looks like a great find. That SHimpo banding wheel costs $60 when I bought one 5 years or so ago. What are they asking? Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.M.Ernst Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 Since both units look to be brand new, look online for current prices. I bought my Brent CXC wheel in 1978 and have never had a problem with it. I do not make pots full time, but the wheel has been in use at least 40 weeks a year for 35 years. I started with a Paragon kiln about that same time, with no controller. We did fine together for many years. If the price(s) are right, go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 I wouldn't pay more than $300 for either. If the Brent wheel has the smooth black control panel with flush buttons, don't buy it. Those controllers were very problematic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanJanzen Posted November 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 His starting price is around $1000 for the whole lot. I was considering offering less, just wanted to make sure that was appropriate. Thank you for the feedback so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 29, 2016 Report Share Posted November 29, 2016 I'd go $700 to $800 for the lot-the kiln is old -I know never used but. The wheel same deal-over 750 On closer inspection that kiln looks like no dawson shut off or timer-I would pass on the kiln or call paragon to see what an upgrade will cost you The wheel is at least $350 value . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted November 29, 2016 Report Share Posted November 29, 2016 I agree. $1000 is too much. talk with him about it. MArcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanJanzen Posted November 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2016 My initial reaction was to offer $800, but I'm going to call Paragon tomorrow now. I didn't even think that would be something they'd comment on. I'll ask about the upgrade options as it appears a $3-500 on that kiln might be overpriced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 29, 2016 Report Share Posted November 29, 2016 I think if the kiln has no Dawson cone sitter and no timer to shut it down I would pass-Ask Paragon if it has any shut off features as I do not see any? Offer $350 for the wheel and look for another kiln Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick White Posted November 29, 2016 Report Share Posted November 29, 2016 It has a Dawson kiln sitter - the side of the gray louvered box is visible at about the middle of the top edge of the sideways photo. Whether it is one with a timer or just a cone, dunno, can't see the front of the sitter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 29, 2016 Report Share Posted November 29, 2016 Dick I saw that box but could not make out what it was-looks to small to have a timer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanJanzen Posted November 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2016 I haven't seen it in person yet, so these pictures are all I have to go with as of now. I'm scheduled to see everything Wednesday, so I'll have to check everything then. If there is a kiln sitter, does that change your assessment Mark? Seller is a friend of a friend who is moving out of the country within a week, so I'm trying to gather as much info as I can before I head out there so I can possibly make an offer then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiselleNo5 Posted November 29, 2016 Report Share Posted November 29, 2016 My dad purchased a never-used kiln that was 30 years old. Beautiful condition. Thought it was a steal at $500. Well, after replacing the coils and a couple other parts ... and after he upgrades it to a digital controller .... that kiln ends up being more like $1500-$2000 and he could get a brand new one without all that hassle for $3000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 29, 2016 Report Share Posted November 29, 2016 My like has sitter and a timer..-​ think these are the minimums. The timer backs up the sitter as a safety . I only bisque in mine If it has both these its a $300 kiln if it had shelves it could be $350 That box of pots looks very hodge poge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted November 29, 2016 Report Share Posted November 29, 2016 OK going to maybe show my ignorance here. Why cant the kiln be plugged into a 220v timer? Those sell for under $50 and would back up the sitter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 29, 2016 Report Share Posted November 29, 2016 You could get a 60 amp timer for 220V and hard wire it into that. So price this item into the cost of old kiln. Make sure its 25% larger amperage needed than the kiln.the 60 amp was guess for a 48amp kiln. Its just another upcost factor and then have an electrician wire that into the mix so add those costs as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted November 29, 2016 Report Share Posted November 29, 2016 I know when I started looking around a couple of months ago I found so many deals like this but yeah once I factored in all the cost and potential cost, since I wanted digital and the likelihood of elements and such it just seemed like I could quickly get a grand or more into a 20-40 year old kiln. Just didn't make sense, for me. For $2700 I just started new. I have always done this with computers (wait as long as you can and buy as much as you can afford) and it has always paid off and they only last 10-12 years at best. New kilns can literally last your lifetime if you buy one as an adult. But I also do this for a living now and had to have a reliable kiln that worked right out of the box and kept working week in and week out with no down time. I know when I bought the other two we had it was a no brainer because we had the dough and the day jobs but this last one the cost mattered a lot and I still ended up going new. on the other hand maybe he gets a $300 kiln and wires to a $60 timer and is good to go. I guess its just a upside/downside decision that one has to make given their circumstances. If I add a second one I might take a chance on a used one as it would be for bisque only and if I had down time I would'nt be dead in the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted December 1, 2016 Report Share Posted December 1, 2016 In the long run, you have to decide on the PITA factor..pain in the *ss. only you know what you can afford, how much you can afford to upgrade, and how much time you can put into it. MArcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanJanzen Posted December 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 Alright, so the update. The kiln did have a timer on the side so that's a plus. I went ahead and purchased the lot for $800. I'm going to have a technician come out to check out the kiln in a few weeks to make sure everything is good to go. The Brent was a CXC reversible with a foot pedal, and it wasn't the version with the flush panel. Came with about 30 bats, most of them unused, a gravity fed spray gun for glaze (no compressor though), a pretty nice dust mask, a very nice banding wheel, 2 big slabs of slate for making a wedging/handbuilding table or two, shelving and spacers for the kiln, a bunch of containers with lids for glaze, some assorted tools, and a few additional oversized bats with foam padding he made himself for larger platters and bowls. Overall a decent amount of stuff to get me started at home. I'll keep you updated after the kiln gets checked out... Now I need to start thinking about insulating the garage... It is Texas, so summer garage work doesn't sound too fun without that. Thank you all again for your help and pointing out all these things I should be looking for! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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