Getting a Kiln: Advice Needed

Rick Marchand

Rick Marchand

Donkey on the Edge
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Hey folks,
I am getting a kiln from Tracy in the new year. I have my eyes on the Sugar Creek Big Knife Kiln. This may be a silly question but should I get the standard infinite control or bump up to the Orton digital programmable control?

I work in mostly 1070/84 steels and would like to move into W2, 52100 and 1095 with this new equipment. I have no intention on going stainless. Would the digital programmable control be worth the extra $240 cost?

Rick
 
I believe that digital controllers have a feedback feature that slows the rate of climb as it approaches the temp you want. It doesn't overshoot the temp that way. The analog systems will overshoot and then drop back down. The digital gives more precise control than analog.

Digital also gives more control with programming. If you are annealing something that requires two steps, you don't need to be present for it to make the change.

Basically, not going digital may put you at a disadvantage with going to different steels. What you do may change in a year or two and you'll be kicking yourself for not going digital.

My 2 cents worth, YMMV.

Gene
 
I did wonder about the ramping(right word?) feature of a digital control. That alone is worth the extra cost.

Do it right the first time.

Thanks for the input guys. After I typed out the OP, I realized that this was kind of a silly question.


Rick
 
Shipped to my door, Patrice..... it was only another $60 or so.

Worth avoiding the 4hr drive to and back from Detroit.... nobody should have to go there.... lol.
 
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Patrice Lemée;9061075 said:
Thanks Rick.
Is this considered a "budget" kiln compared to the likes of Paragon or Even Heat?
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Dunno about the quality difference(if there is any at all), but the price of this one he's looking at is a good bit less money than my Evenheat. My Evenheat cost $1000, if I remember.
 
The Sugar Creek was made in conjunction with the Good Kiln company. It is a good quality kiln at an affordable price. Some folks say "You get what you pay for." Based upon my experience, this is not always true. What is a kiln anyway? The sum of it's parts? I see folks making their own for a fraction of the price of an Evenheat/Paragon. Does that mean they are crap? My Grizzly 2x72 was cheap and has served me well for 3rys now. All the Sugar Creek reviews seem pretty good to me. Like I told Patrice a minute ago, I'm going for it. Digital control and all. Thanks again

Rick
 
Rick.
What about duty? Taxes and HST? When you get the kiln in, please tell us the total cost in Canuck bucks.
 
Rick Marchand said:
Some folks say "You get what you pay for."
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IMHO, that's one of the most overused quotes around. When it means that good stuff isn't the cheapest and that cheap junk is junk it's right on. When it's used by yuppies who don't know wine to buy the most expensive wine the salesman pushes they get what they deserve.

There's an art in paying enough to get quality but not being gouged.
 
I have the sugar creek with digital controller. I have not used it yet but the build quality is good. The controller is made by Orton they make controllers for alot of kiln makers. The only thing I dont like about it is the open box around the controller I will need to keep dust from it as best I can. Paragon has a sturdier frame but I dont expect to be banging around my kiln anyway.
 
I've been using mine for about a year now. It has the digital controller which is easy to program, and change even while in use.

Definitely get the digital controller. You want to be able to do other work, while the kiln works for you.

I've wondered about the open controller mount, but no trouble so far.

I'm well satisfied, and would recommend the Sugar Creek.

John
 
John hit the nail on the head. If you have time to babysit the kiln then the rheostat controller will be fine. But if you want to do other things while the temp comes up then get the digital controller. Ask me how I know. An upgrade to a digital controller is on my wish list.
 
I have a digital Evenheat, and it's worth the extra cash to go digital. Set it, walk away and it beeps when done.

I have a friend with a Sugar Creek, and he's never had any trouble with it.
 
Rick Marchand said:
Shipped to my door, Patrice..... it was only another $60 or so.

Worth avoiding the 4hr drive to and back from Detroit.... nobody should have to go there.... lol.
Click to expand...

HMM he's only 9hrs south of me, maybe I should get my passport and make a little trip south of the border in the next couple of months. I was thinking of making my own kiln but at those prices I don't think I could do it cheaper and have it work very well
 
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