wheel and kiln?

Question

need advise on what are some brands to look at for a wheel and kiln. I have two kids and wanted to try and set something at home.

Answer 1

Paragon kilns is where I would start.

Answer 2

This is a very expensive investment you are about to make. Are you sure they are into this kind of thing? It takes a LOT of practice and patience to learn to throw on a wheel AND also to learn about firing a kiln. A kiln has to get up to about 2000 degrees to cause the particle fusion to make clay into ceramics. That is about the same temp as lava. You have to be extremely cautious about these things. An electric kiln also takes all day to fire and all day to cool...they can really suck up the electricity.

A good quality student grade wheel can run from $600 to $1000. A kiln runs from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand depending on the brand and cone firing range. Glazes, pyrometric cones, kiln shelves, kiln stands, kiln wash, clay tools, bats, and the clay itself are additional expenses.

Dick Blick Art Supplies (online) has a good selection. Search "ceramic kilns" and "pottery" and see what you can get.

I had a $2000 kiln donated to my art class by a woman who thought she's love to get into clay...she only fired it once.

Maybe they should take a few classes in clay to see if it is really for them first.

Answer 3

Did you really mean you wanted this for the kids? It sounded to me as if you wanted it for you - at home, because you had two kids.

Still expensive though, but try ebay for second hand items. Sometimes kilns and wheels are sold together.

Good luck!