After all the stuff I went through to exchange the Speedfire Electric Mini Kiln (which didn't work for me, but did work for the company and it took a few emails/phone calls to get them to exchange it for the Paragon Digital Firefly) I finally received my more expensive and HOPEFULLY more reliable kiln on Friday.
AND wouldn't you know it...it had an error right off the bat that wouldn't let it fire anything or even start running. So apparently I either have to replace the thermocouple (thing that measures temperature) or the digital box that shows what the temp is and regulates everything for the firing process. Here's my gripe about this...I received a brand new and quite expensive (in my budget) piece of machinery that didn't work, not once, properly. And now I'm expected to replace parts of this machine to make it work...but I'm not confident enough to do this because for one, the parts have to be taken apart with weird screw drivers that are drilled into the fiber walls of this kiln and also because I have no experience whatsoever with kilns or machinery. But that's just the way it's going to go. I know they won't pay for me to ship this 40lb thing back to them and then pay again to ship it back to me. It just gives me such a sinking feeling. And my husband is the one I'm counting on to help me with replacing these parts and running the tests to see what it is that is actually broken and he's not feeling well today. So there's a broken and expensive piece of machinery that I REALLY REALLY want to use just sitting in my house.
:(
Maybe I'll give the company another call and see if there's anything they can do before I run this test that I don't feel comfortable doing without my husband..who is out of commission until further notice.
BOO....since I first ordered the speedfire kiln and it didn't work, I've had this uneasy disheartened feeling and it has gone on almost continuously for about 3 weeks now. I hope some good luck comes my way soon with this whole ordeal. But I am certainly not optimistic about it.
AND wouldn't you know it...it had an error right off the bat that wouldn't let it fire anything or even start running. So apparently I either have to replace the thermocouple (thing that measures temperature) or the digital box that shows what the temp is and regulates everything for the firing process. Here's my gripe about this...I received a brand new and quite expensive (in my budget) piece of machinery that didn't work, not once, properly. And now I'm expected to replace parts of this machine to make it work...but I'm not confident enough to do this because for one, the parts have to be taken apart with weird screw drivers that are drilled into the fiber walls of this kiln and also because I have no experience whatsoever with kilns or machinery. But that's just the way it's going to go. I know they won't pay for me to ship this 40lb thing back to them and then pay again to ship it back to me. It just gives me such a sinking feeling. And my husband is the one I'm counting on to help me with replacing these parts and running the tests to see what it is that is actually broken and he's not feeling well today. So there's a broken and expensive piece of machinery that I REALLY REALLY want to use just sitting in my house.
:(
Maybe I'll give the company another call and see if there's anything they can do before I run this test that I don't feel comfortable doing without my husband..who is out of commission until further notice.
BOO....since I first ordered the speedfire kiln and it didn't work, I've had this uneasy disheartened feeling and it has gone on almost continuously for about 3 weeks now. I hope some good luck comes my way soon with this whole ordeal. But I am certainly not optimistic about it.
I gave them a call (Paragon Industries in Texas) and they reaffirmed that they're sorry, but they just need to replace that part. And since I don't know how to run this test, they said 'Let us know when your husband feels better and we'll get whatever part out you need after he can help you run the test'
ReplyDeleteI got ordered the Speedfire Mini-Electric on the 2nd Feb. Unlike you I did get it to work (with PMC3 and with great difficulty Fastfire Bronzclay) BUT after about 10 uses the material holding the heating elements in to each corner has all come away leaving the elements to flop about and *possibly* come into contact with my stainless steel container when I use it. I have written to the company only recently but have yet to get a reply.
ReplyDeleteOh no!! Call Metal Clay Supply and ask for Claudia, she was very helpful and I even eventually spoke with the owner of the company, who actually makes each of those Speedfire Electric Minis and he was the one that I worked with to finally get the exchange done so I could get the Paragon (which is FINALLY working...KNOCK ON WOOD!). He probably won't exchange yours but should definitely work with you to make sure they get your kiln fixed! Good luck!!
ReplyDelete