I am in the market for a new kiln now. Help a brudda out.

[Simian]

I am looking for a price, shipped, on a Paragon F130. I would like to have it by next wednesday or thursday if possible. I will be at AGE and can pick one up if you will be there. Open to other kiln opttions as long as they are 120v, have a guillotine door and are at least as roomy on the insode as the F130.

[2wheeler]

Look into the F420 as an option.

[Simian]

If you are referring to the F-240 it is not 120v. That is a deal breaker.

[dustyg]

F420 is 120v - http://www.abrimagery.com/store/product_info.php/420-lampworking-kiln-p-99643

[Simian]

Thanks Dustyg, not sure how I missed that one. I just was looking at Paragon's site and it was not listed there. Any idea what the advantage would be over the F130?

[Simian]

looks like interior size and rod rest are the advantages I can see.

[2wheeler]

You missed it because ABR is the only ones who sell it. You've got options that you need to decide for yourself. F130 or F130 Elite or F420. I'm not going to look up all the differences for you; but I think the F420 is slightly larger , has top and side elements. If you get a new kiln I'd just spend the extra on the mercury relay from the start.

[dustyg]

Np. It was custom made for ABR, I believe, and ABR is the sole distributor. I think your list about covers it. I read here recently that it's the biggest 120v Paragon.

[Simian]

Right on, that was an option I did not know existed and it is probably what I will go with since it looks liek a more complete package. Thanks! Paragon really should list it on their page I would have been psyched on that right away!

[Simian]

looks like 4-5 weeks for an F130. Waiting to get a call back on the F420.

[Foxy999]

clay-king has the cheapest paragons I've seen with FREE SHIPPING

[Simian]

Yeah, if I get an F130 I am probably going through ClayKing. Waiting on an answer from ABR about the F420 though I think it is a better fit but the shipping is 180. Hoping I can pick one up At AGE or maybe even pick one up in Phoenix on my way back from AGE. Since gas is so cheap it would cost me less than $20 to make the detour.

[daveabr]

I sent you a PM about the kilns. Holler when you decide what you want to do. Thanks!

[Simian]

Thanks Dave! I responded.

[James M]

Go with the Aim 9169 its double wide and half the price of the Paragon kilns.

[Simian]

How much experience have you had with them James? I have never used an AIM but I have heard good things.

[Nomad]

Both are really nice kilns. I have an Aim 99ls right now though. I really like it and I saved money on the cost of it over the paragon. I replaced an F-120 recently.

[Simian]

Thanks Nomad! I just sent you a pm.

[Foxy999]

Go with the Aim 9096 its double wide and half the price of the Paragon kilns.

Last time I talked to that guy on facebook who sells AIM kilns, all of his prices were a lot higher than paragon's (from clay-king). Is your kiln digital? How much did you pay for it if you don't mind me asking? The Paragon bluebird XL from clayking is under $800 shipped.

Kindest regards,

[Simian]

The blue bird is not comparable to the 99ls.

The 99ls would be more comparable to a Paragon F130.
Digital 99ls is @ 1050 shipped, and an F130 is 1254 shipped on Clayking.

[Simian]

Looks like I am in a holding pattern for now. Gonna check out AGE and do some more research and see if I need to pay the Paragon premium or save a few bucks and grab an AIM. I have a few friends that like them so I have only heard good things.

[gomilobster]

I also have an aim 99LS and have been happy with it for its size. Added an external digi control cause I went with analog at first. The shop I started in had the AIM 9161GS I think it is, basically a nearly double wide 99LS. That thing took a beating and several accidental total work day slump melt downs onto the brick and kept going for the several years I was using it.

To be fair I also did talk to a local glass blower maybe 2 years back about AIM, and she said the reason she loved them was they forced her to learn how to fix/rebuild one... I never had this problem though. I s'pose I should admit the reason I bought an AIM was because for some reason I thought they used to be out of Corvallis Oregon and I wanted to buy "local". Dunno if I was just always mistaken or if they moved shop at some point so many years back... But I personally have enjoyed my kiln.

[Nomad]

I had a 99 lsd in California. I loved it and had to get one once my f-120 died.

[oG Glocc Coma]

I'm thinking of going with the F-420 on purely Name alone!

I know its a hard decision to make, but i'm in the same Boat!

[Nomad]

It is big but so is the electric bill. 20 amp kiln.

[Nomad]

The aim is 14 amp power.

[Simian]

Yeah there seem to be a lot of good reasons to go with the AIM 99ls Digital.

[JDNACEglass]

Hmmm 420 or LSD, love this one, I have a 420 & 120, absolutely love the 420, although nothing wrong with the 120, its the one I use most of the time, I make mostly 8-10" pieces, n don't have a problem with the 120, but every time I use the 420, I appreciate it much more, did make my electric go up, a noticeable amount, but not bank breaker. I would absolutely go with the 420 if u are set on size, but u can accomplish an aweful lot with the 120

[Simian]

Thanks Bugz!

I would love the F420 but the difference of $500 between the AIM 99lsD and that is a deal breaker for me. If people were saying AIM was garbage it would be an easy decision but they generally say really good things about them. I am sure I will miss the few extra inches I could have had but the savings is critical right now since I work at home and have family bills to pay.

[sunray]

Check out our prices on AIM kilns at www.trevsglass.com We sell them at 10% under
their price to help with the shipping cost..
the 99 ls is $600 + shipping 9169 is also a popular one..
They have a new custom 12 x 12 one too that is selling well Let me know if we can help

[Simian]

Thanks Sunray!

[Nomad]

That is exactly how I got mine. Do it mang! Shipping would probably be cheap shipping from Nevada to Colorado also.

[Nomad]

My problem with the paragon F series kilns is that the elements are all on the top. They fall out all the time and you have to recement the pins back in all the time. It is really an ugly business.
The Aim has all the elements on the sidewalls. So this does not happen.
I would not pay more then $1000 for an F-120 either. I see the F-130 is on sale for a little over $1000.
I think you said it about the money.

[TCsGlassworks]

im running the f130 and i absolutely love it

[Nomad]

They fire differently though. You have to test all the models.
I have to be more patient with the AIM. It likes to fire at a lower temperature then the Paragon did. The Paragon would get really hot fast and strike the colors in my glass unintentionally. Now I strike the color for 20 minutes with the Aim and then Soak it at annealing temp for 30 minutes before shutting down. It makes my reds redder and ambers darker. I like the color it makes but it takes an extra 20 minutes work.
You can read about that stuff here though. I learned a lot in the forum about that because I fucked it up at first.

[Cow'N]

I have a paragon f series and I love it.... Never have had any issues with the top elements falling out, it's a 3-4 yr old kiln with heavy use. I do wish it had side elements and the rod rest n door setup is annoying. The door handles get hot as hell and they either rest on whatever you have sticking out or they stay open.... Open is a pretty big hole. If I could have my skutt punty door n rest setup on my paragon it would make the world of difference. Shit I wish the skutt setup was industry standard n came on every kiln alike.....

[Nomad]

I used the F-120 for 10-15 years everyday. I got it when it first came out.

[Misfitman]

I purchased an f420 today from abr. Can't wait, although I didn't think of the power bill... work more I guess