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where not to buy a kiln - and still looking

updated tue 4 apr 00

 

Maid O'Mud Pottery on fri 31 mar 00

Cindy said:

"(though Euclids might be a good place to
start looking), but I can certainly tell you what *not* to buy."
my note - re: Paragon

I bought my current kiln from PSH about 12 years old (now Euclids). I
had a major blow-up with them last year. I called Chris, and told him
ALL the wires from the elements to the switches were black as we had had
a blow-up in the front box. He asked me which wires I needed. I told
him again ALL. I read him the plate from the front of the kiln and he
said he may even have made my kiln. He asked again how many red and
black wires. I stressed _ALL_ and told him I was coming to pick it up
(a 3 hour drive each way) plus I ordered a new lid for my kiln (which
was falling apart).

When I arrived, I looked at the small packet of wires and asked if it
were enough. He asked me how many black and how many red did I need? I
gritted my teeth and told him every wire EXCEPT the elements and the
large cable leading to the wall. He went in the back, made a point of
telling me he hadn't charged "labour" and added a few to the package.
Remember, I have driven to get these wires, and called in advance.

I had orders waiting, and my husband immediately took the wires from me
when I arrived home to get the kiln up and running. He had cleaned out
all the soot. He came in about 15 minutes later and told me we were
short on wires!! I called Chris the next day, and told him we were
short; I asked if he had even bothered to check a diagram prior to
giving me the wires. Needless to say his answer was evasive. I told
him to check the diagram, and send me the remaining wires.

Order a new kiln from Euclids? With this kind of service? I bought
thousands of dollars of clay and a kiln from them....no more.

I saw an ITC kiln in the Runyun catalogue...it looks interesting.
Anyone else with ideas??

--
sam - alias the cat lady
SW Ontario CANADA
http://www.geocities.com/paris/3110 scuttell@odyssey.on.ca

"First, the clay told me what to do
Then, I told the clay what to do
Now; we co-operate"
sam, 1994

dolly traicoff on sat 1 apr 00

I deal with Runyan's pottery supplies all the time (I live in Michigan).
They are most knowleadgle and helpful. I bought a kiln from them about
18 months ago, an Evenheat (I fire to ^6). I feel extremely confidant
dealing with them.
Dolly

Maid O'Mud Pottery wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Cindy said:
>
> "(though Euclids might be a good place to
> start looking), but I can certainly tell you what *not* to buy."
> my note - re: Paragon
>
> I bought my current kiln from PSH about 12 years old (now Euclids). I
> had a major blow-up with them last year. I called Chris, and told him
> ALL the wires from the elements to the switches were black as we had had
> a blow-up in the front box. He asked me which wires I needed. I told
> him again ALL. I read him the plate from the front of the kiln and he
> said he may even have made my kiln. He asked again how many red and
> black wires. I stressed _ALL_ and told him I was coming to pick it up
> (a 3 hour drive each way) plus I ordered a new lid for my kiln (which
> was falling apart).
>
> When I arrived, I looked at the small packet of wires and asked if it
> were enough. He asked me how many black and how many red did I need? I
> gritted my teeth and told him every wire EXCEPT the elements and the
> large cable leading to the wall. He went in the back, made a point of
> telling me he hadn't charged "labour" and added a few to the package.
> Remember, I have driven to get these wires, and called in advance.
>
> I had orders waiting, and my husband immediately took the wires from me
> when I arrived home to get the kiln up and running. He had cleaned out
> all the soot. He came in about 15 minutes later and told me we were
> short on wires!! I called Chris the next day, and told him we were
> short; I asked if he had even bothered to check a diagram prior to
> giving me the wires. Needless to say his answer was evasive. I told
> him to check the diagram, and send me the remaining wires.
>
> Order a new kiln from Euclids? With this kind of service? I bought
> thousands of dollars of clay and a kiln from them....no more.
>
> I saw an ITC kiln in the Runyun catalogue...it looks interesting.
> Anyone else with ideas??
>
> --
> sam - alias the cat lady
> SW Ontario CANADA
> http://www.geocities.com/paris/3110 scuttell@odyssey.on.ca
>
> "First, the clay told me what to do
> Then, I told the clay what to do
> Now; we co-operate"
> sam, 1994

Nancy Guido on sun 2 apr 00

I second that with Runyan. We have bought one kiln(an Evenheat) from them
for the potters guild in Plymouth, Michigan, and we have recently ordered
another (Cone art). I also bought my own personal kiln from them 8 years
ago. Recently, we accidentally shorted something out at the potters guild
and he knew right away what to do and sent the relays to us. I think
Evenheat even calls him to troubleshoot stuff.

Nancy G.

Anita Rickenberg on mon 3 apr 00

Although I have not bought a kiln from Euclids, I have bought several repair
parts and have found them to be knowledgeable, helpful and quick in
shipping. Just my 2 cents worth in their defense.

Anita
----- Original Message -----
From: Maid O'Mud Pottery
To:
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2000 6:24 PM
Subject: Where not to buy a kiln - and still looking


> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Cindy said:
>
> "(though Euclids might be a good place to
> start looking), but I can certainly tell you what *not* to buy."
> my note - re: Paragon
>
> I bought my current kiln from PSH about 12 years old (now Euclids). I
> had a major blow-up with them last year. I called Chris, and told him
> ALL the wires from the elements to the switches were black as we had had
> a blow-up in the front box. He asked me which wires I needed. I told
> him again ALL. I read him the plate from the front of the kiln and he
> said he may even have made my kiln. He asked again how many red and
> black wires. I stressed _ALL_ and told him I was coming to pick it up
> (a 3 hour drive each way) plus I ordered a new lid for my kiln (which
> was falling apart).
>
> When I arrived, I looked at the small packet of wires and asked if it
> were enough. He asked me how many black and how many red did I need? I
> gritted my teeth and told him every wire EXCEPT the elements and the
> large cable leading to the wall. He went in the back, made a point of
> telling me he hadn't charged "labour" and added a few to the package.
> Remember, I have driven to get these wires, and called in advance.
>
> I had orders waiting, and my husband immediately took the wires from me
> when I arrived home to get the kiln up and running. He had cleaned out
> all the soot. He came in about 15 minutes later and told me we were
> short on wires!! I called Chris the next day, and told him we were
> short; I asked if he had even bothered to check a diagram prior to
> giving me the wires. Needless to say his answer was evasive. I told
> him to check the diagram, and send me the remaining wires.
>
> Order a new kiln from Euclids? With this kind of service? I bought
> thousands of dollars of clay and a kiln from them....no more.
>
> I saw an ITC kiln in the Runyun catalogue...it looks interesting.
> Anyone else with ideas??
>
> --
> sam - alias the cat lady
> SW Ontario CANADA
> http://www.geocities.com/paris/3110 scuttell@odyssey.on.ca
>
> "First, the clay told me what to do
> Then, I told the clay what to do
> Now; we co-operate"
> sam, 1994