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Pro-Fusion Kiln Line with TAP         

Table Top Versions User Guide

 

 
 

Jen-Ken Kiln Models

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TAP Tall Bonnie Glo  120v 15a MAX temp 1700

TAP  ProFusion 16  120v 15a MAX temp 1700

 

 

Please read the following manual on fiber kilns to help better understand what it can and cannot do 
for you. Then if you have questions please call.  

 

This  will  serve  as  an  overview  of  the  kilns  and  then  there  is  a  section  for  each  kiln  with 

individual notes and suggestions. 

 

 

Setting up the kiln: 

Your new fiber kiln

 should be placed on a sturdy non-combustible table or floor.   If the table is 

all metal, then assemble and place the kiln stand under the kiln.   If the table is wood (or steel over 
wood), then place one or more ceramic floor tiles down first.  A piece of drywall board also makes 
a good choice for non-combustible surface.  While kilns themselves do not catch fire, it is 
important to make sure that the area around the kiln is safe and that nothing flammable is near.   
Fiber kilns have much cooler outsides then a brick kiln so the distance to walls and other items 
around the kiln can be as little as 12” as long as the walls nearest to the kiln stay cool to the touch.   

Safety Note

:  Remember to never place a kiln directly on a table or solid surface.   A kiln stand 

provides an air space that is always required beneath a kiln.  And make sure there is a safe, non-
combustible surface under the stand (like brick, cement, drywall board or a metal table.) 

 

Overview:   

The fiber kilns were all designed for faster fusing.  It took several years of thought and testing to 
create kilns that defy what the glass companies recommend for their fusing schedules.   We wanted 
to build kilns that would fit better into our fast paced world.   We are not trying to perform 
miracles; we just believe that glass can fire quicker in the right firing environment. 

Jen-Ken Kilns discovered that glass can fire faster in a kiln that does not have a kiln shelf.   When a 
shelf is used, the shelf and the glass both absorb heat, and you must slow your firings down to 
accommodate the shelf and the glass heating at the same rate.  The cool down is also slower, 
because the shelf has absorbed a tremendous amount of heat, therefore taking longer to cool.   The 

Summary of Contents for TAP ProFusion 16

Page 1: ...k kiln so the distance to walls and other items around the kiln can be as little as 12 as long as the walls nearest to the kiln stay cool to the touch Safety Note Remember to never place a kiln directly on a table or solid surface A kiln stand provides an air space that is always required beneath a kiln And make sure there is a safe non combustible surface under the stand like brick cement drywall...

Page 2: ...r gives a smoother backing to your glass and to offers the most protection to the floor of the kiln The kiln wash that is applied to the floor is a back up in case a piece of glass pops in the firing and jumps off the shelf paper If shelf paper is not to be used we recommend using fiberboard lava cloth or Kaiser Lee board to help protect your kiln s floor The kiln wash is the back up to the other ...

Page 3: ... walls of the kiln and the coils from over spray using paper Isopropyl alcohol can be used to remove Boron Nitrate over spray on some surfaces While Boron Nitrite is great for mold slumping firing at about 1280 F it tends to stick to glass if taken much over 1425 1450 F We use it as a backup to the shelf paper that is placed on top Controllers The TAP Controller has been preprogrammed with some re...

Page 4: ...s Hld1 10 minutes Ra2 500 per hour Ra2 Full per hour Ra2 Full per hour Ra2 Full per hour F2 1480 degrees F2 950 degrees F2 950 degrees F2 1500 degrees Hld 2 20 minutes Hld 2 30 minutes Hld 2 30 minutes Hld 2 10 minutes Ra3 Full Ra3 0000 Ends Program RA3 0000 Ends Program Ra3 Full F3 950 degrees F3 950 degrees Hld3 30 to 1 hour Hld3 minutes Ra4 200 per hour Ra4 0000 Ends Program F4 700 degrees Full...

Page 5: ...0 to about 700 at 150 F per hour Thick Glass and Slumping Ripple glass is thick and thin over the entire surface and will need to heat slower than two or three layers of single strength glass to accommodate the glass variances Double strength glass will also need to fire a little slower more like 500 F or less and not FULL as fast as possible on the way up Remember a fully fused piece of glass is ...

Page 6: ... indication of the area to stay within Apply kiln wash let dry and then add the shelf paper There are two other clamps one holds the top lid closed when the kiln opens clam style and one holds the heating section to the floor of the kiln Use these clamps appropriately so there is not a mishap while opening the kiln This Tilt Model has a stand with a clamp attached to it where the kiln connects to ...

Page 7: ...or material that could catch fire Ensure that the kiln is centered on the stand On the Plus or clamshell style model make sure the kiln is clamped to the stand before opening or using the kiln 3 Plug the kiln into a plug on a 20a circuit and that nothing else is running on that circuit while the kiln is No Power strips or extension cords allowed All kilns perform best closer to the breaker box 4 K...

Page 8: ...your kiln While these are fast firing kilns they were not designed to go to high temps and hold for long periods of time The cause of this is that the kiln body is shrinking just a little bit more even though each kiln has been put into a kiln and pre fired to 1800F We are improving the temperature ratings of the fiber each year and soon these issues should disappear Patch is available to mend cra...

Page 9: ...o the back of the controller not the wall 3 Plug the controller into the wall This should be a DEDICATED 20a circuit Note ALL kilns perform best closer to the breaker box 4 Slide the thermocouple into the hole in the middle of the right side of the kiln It needs to protrude at least an inch into the kiln to read properly As shown in the picture the brown thermocouple wire should be bent in a loop ...

Page 10: ...s put in your first QUICK FIRING schedule This first program is to FULL FUSE for small pieces Next you will see what is to be entered Rate 1 500 degrees per hour Degrees F 1 1500 F temperature going to Hold 1 0 min hold time in hours and minutes Rate 2 FULL Degrees F 2 950 F Hold 2 30 min Rate 3 0 to end the program Never Leave a Firing Kiln Unattended A good home test for stress in the finished g...

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