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The Small Segmented Kiln
This is one of a continuing series on choosing a glass kiln for fusing and slumping.
Click here to go to the first part of the series.
Unlike most kilns, the segmented kiln is made in several pieces
which can easily be taken apart. Most commonly, there are
three parts to the kiln: bottom, top, and middle.
In most cases the middle segment of the kiln is the only one that
contains elements. The top segment sometimes has a viewing
window to allow looking into the kiln while it fires.
One advantage of a segmented kiln is that it's very easy to
access the kiln when firing. By removing the top it's possible
to reach into the kiln and manipulate glass. For this reason,
the segmented kiln is a very good choice for bracelet making or
other activities which require reaching into the kiln.
Another advantage of the segmented kiln is that it can easily be
adapted for use as a vitrograph kiln. Simply replace the
bottom segment of the kiln with a false bottom (such as a piece of
fiber board with a hole drilled inside) that will allow molten glass
to drip out the bottom of the kiln.
On the downside, most segmented kilns are equipped with a
pyrometer but not a controller. As would be expected for a 120
volt kiln, they tend to be small, but their inexpensive price makes
them a good starter or test kiln. They're most appropriate for
people who want to make bracelets or set up a vitrograph kiln, but
can be used for fusing and slumping small items as well.
Evenheat's Hot Box is one of the most popular segmented kilns.
Future tips will discuss additional small kiln
configurations, such as top loading and front loading kilns.
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Copyright 2005 Brad Walker.
All rights reserved.
You can read more about
vitrograph kilns in Bullseye's TechNotes 2, available on
this
page. |
