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Recently I started taking a glass fusing class -something I have wanted to do for years. In class we assemble our projects and then the instructor takes our projects home and does all the kiln work for us. I have loved the class and really wanted to get a kiln of my own, but the price for large kilns is very expensive, requires proper ventilation, a place to use it, it's own circuit breaker, etc, etc.
Before committing to all of this, I decided to look for an easy, affordable alternative that I use to experiment creating jewelry. I purchased this kiln based on the two reviews that were available. Since receiving it I have been using it daily. It is very small, but multiple items can be done at one time (max of 3 or even 4 if very small)as long as similar results are desired. I've had so much fun with it that a friend of mine who is also taking the class has now ordered one as well.
The only concern I have is that the kiln paper that comes with kit creates a rough surface on the edges and bottom of the pieces, creating the need to "sand" the pieces to get them smooth. I went to a specialty store for advice and ended up buying a glass file and another type of kiln paper. The new kiln paper solved my problem. Now I am very happy with my results!
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This inexpensive "gateway" kit comes with lots of glass to play with and decent instructions. The kiln is very easy to use and seems to do exactly what it says it will, fusing small glass projects in three minutes in the microwave. I made a bunch of pendants and some very small earrings and learned that it is possible to fire a few small items in the kiln simultaneously, which saves on shelf paper. If the purpose of the kit is to intrigue potential glass hobbyists, it's very successful. I can't wait to learn and do more with glass!
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Overall I love this kit, but it does have some cons. I'll go over what I like and dislike:
Pros:
1. This kit has almost everything needed to make a good bit of fused pieces
2. The kiln works better than I anticipated
3. You'll be making pieces on the very first day
4. It's fun and addictive!!
Cons (and I hope the creators of this kit read this):
1. Considering this is supposed to be for "beginners" I give the instructions about 2 stars. How could they be better? Include a project or two to get us started. We get a lot of glass, and no idea what to do with it. That part was a little frustrating.
2. The cutting tool sucks (sorry but it really does). I butchered the first few pieces of glass because I had no idea how to use their tool. Also a glass breaking tool is necessary which is not included. I ended up tapping mine with a hammer to get it to break on the score line.
3. The kiln paper they include is awful and leave the back of your piece rough and bumpy. Buy some smooth paper, like Bullseye thinfire.
That's it for now! I've already ordered more glass (the round shapes are cool!) and can't wait to make more pendants. Overall, I will give this kit 5 stars just because it's so cool to finally have a kiln that's less than $100!
Advice: DON'T use your dichroic glass until you get a hang of the kiln, otherwise you might ruin it while practicing. DO try lot of different glass combinations in order to learn what works with what. If you aren't getting good results (bubbles, sharp edges, etc) try reducing the power of your microwave and try different things until you find one that works for you.
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Having tried several very small projects I tried a pendant and couldn't proceed without breakage. After enquiring elsewhere I was advised that using the microwave oven on half-power for a pre-firing would be very likely to increase success.
Using a pre-firing also seems to have eliminated the problems with using tiny dabs of white glue to make things stay in place. In regular fusing I use dilute glue but in this instance full strength tiniest dabs, dried thoroughly, seems to work fine.
Was advised that a coating of kiln wash on the base of the kiln would be effective alone or with kiln paper. I am finding that the kiln wash alone is a much better solution, without using the paper. If I were to use kiln paper in the future I would iron it first to make it smoother. Pre-firing the kiln paper then ironing it would be even better.
When I first touched the kiln it indented a bit with just the pressure of lifting it. Before I used the kiln I coated the outside surfaces (careful to stay away from blow hole) with a coating of high temp kiln cement and fired that on. Highly recommended.
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There is a lot to be said about this kit. I have never done anything with glass fusing or kiln work prior to my experience with this kit; so this review comes as a complete beginner opinion.
First the Positives
The directions were very easy to follow. They tell you how to use this kiln. They are very clear about how hot the kiln gets and how come you need to not open it before it's time, not touch the glass until it's cooled and so on.
The first thing I put in there was made with the little bits of glass that came with the kit. It turned out perfectly.
The kit is mostly complete. With one exception, everything you need to make something in your microwave that is gorgeous and fun is included.
I quickly became addicted. I wanted to run out and buy more 'stuff' to make more 'stuff' with this little kiln. It is a great introduction to glass fusing. It made me want to run out and buy a bigger kiln and do bigger projects.
The negatives
You will absolutely need to buy some glass cutter pliers. It comes with a glass cutter 'knife' but without the pliers you just end up hitting the glass and hoping it breaks on the score. It is a disspointment that this isn't included in the kit because it is a must.
You will also want to buy some glue in order to glue your creations to your earrings and necklace pieces.
While the directions are clear about how to use the kilnthey are not clear about how to put things together to make something. In other words, the directions are for the little kiln ONLY. There is very limited direction about putting the bits and bobs and glass squares together to make something. I wanted to have a little bit more instruction about that. For example; it doesn't tell you how many layers of 'glass bits' you can put together to make something. It doesn't tell you what kind of glue to use when making your jewelry pieces or give you any other ideas about what else you might make.
The other negative, which is really minor is that they provide kiln paper and they give you warnings about breathing in the dust of the kiln paper and then you have to cut the kiln paper to size. Why don't they come the proper size?
The cooling time seems like forever when you want to look at what you made. I've never used a bigger kiln but I didn't think the cooling time was unreasonable considering how hot the microwave kiln gets. Just be forwarned, this is not a short quick project that you can throw together 20 somethings in one night, unless you want to stay up all night.
With Limited Use Here are some Hints I Found Help
Make a pattern for your kiln paper. You get only two sheets of kiln paper. You can easily buy more. However if you make a pattern it will make cutting it easier and you can make the most of what you get.
Use tweasers to put some of the smaller pieces in place. I found myself wanting to make mini masterpieces and the little pieces would not go where I wanted them to gotweasers helped this.
Put everything out on a dish towel (or something). I actually used an old metal pizza pan under a dishtowel. This caught all the little glass shards (or it seemed to) and when I was finished I was able to roll everything up, shake it off in the garbage can and wash it.
Super Fun. Worth Every penny.
Enjoy.
