Newby Carol Posted July 5, 2020 Report Share Posted July 5, 2020 Hello, I just purchased a used Paragon Electric Kiln A-66. It does not have a kiln sitter. I am trying to figure out firing schedules and basics related to using this kiln. I would love to talk to somebody who is familiar with this particular unit and learn some tips and basics for getting started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted July 5, 2020 Report Share Posted July 5, 2020 30 minutes ago, Newby Carol said: Hello, I just purchased a used Paragon Electric Kiln A-66. It does not have a kiln sitter. I am trying to figure out firing schedules and basics related to using this kiln. I would love to talk to somebody who is familiar with this particular unit and learn some tips and basics for getting started. Hmm, was the sitter removed? Here is the manual for the A&B model I believe https://www.paragonweb.com/files/manuals/IM5-A-and-B-Paragon-Inst-Man-Jan2017.pdf. You will need to develop your own bisque and glaze schedules. Not a bad idea to model them after some popular schedules today which you can look up in the Bartlett manuals for a start, without a sitter you will also need to figure out how to turn off at proper cone. https://binst.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/manual/asset_path/294/Genesis___Mini_Genesis_Manual.pdf) You will need to emulate them by manually turning from low to medium, etc.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted July 6, 2020 Report Share Posted July 6, 2020 A basic schedule for a manual kiln is low for 1 hour, medium for one hour, high until done. Without a sitter you'll need to have a set of cones in there so you can shut it off at the correct time. Can you post a picture of the kiln so we can see the controls? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newby Carol Posted July 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2020 Thank you for the quick replies. I am adding pictures of the kiln and controls. it looks like it is in good shape. I have the directions and tried to do the initial tempering to get rid of any moisture that may have accumulated while sitting idle. Elements turned on approriately, so I set to low temp and planned to let it run for 4 hours with peepholes out. It got warm, but not enough light in there to even look in peep holes to view a pyrometric cone. Changed it to medium heat and still not light in kiln to view cone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newby Carol Posted July 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2020 here are some pictures if I can upload Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted July 6, 2020 Report Share Posted July 6, 2020 @Newby Carol On low and medium it probably won't get hot enough to see cones inside. Put it on high and carefully crack the lid after a few minutes with the lights off and see if all the elements are glowing. If they all glow, then go ahead and do a bisque firing and see how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newby Carol Posted July 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2020 Thanks for the advice. Will do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted July 7, 2020 Report Share Posted July 7, 2020 Wear yer eye protection when pulling the peeps for a peek! ...protection against the light and should anything pop whilst you are looking and toss particles/bits... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newby Carol Posted July 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2020 Thanks for the recommendation. I bought 3M secure fit safety eyewear. Says impact resisitant and blocks 99% UV. Hopefully adequate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted July 7, 2020 Report Share Posted July 7, 2020 @Newby Carol I think you need a minimum shade of 1.7 - 3 for kiln safety eyewear. Not a UV thing, an infrared thing. Welding goggles run from shade values of approximately 3 (gas welding) to 11 (Arc welding) ........, a bit more than just safety goggles . please double check what you are getting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newby Carol Posted July 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2020 Thanks for the detail. Just what I needed to Know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted July 7, 2020 Report Share Posted July 7, 2020 #5 welding goggles work very well. If you go darker than that it can make it difficult to see the cones at lower temps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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