Last year, I shared a post highlighting some of the essential tools I use when creating my fused glass artwork. Just to name a few: scorers, breakers, Groziers, nippers, drills, saws, grinders—and of course, one of my kilns. With so many tools playing a role in the creative process, it’s no surprise that, over time, some of them need a little maintenance or repair to keep everything running smoothly.
I use my little Paragon kiln every day—sometimes even twice a day! With that much use, the relay typically needs to be replaced about once a year. I’m writing this post partly as a reminder for myself to order new relays regularly, but also to show that fusing glass isn’t always just creativity and fun—sometimes it’s maintenance too!
When I see the dreaded “ECL” code flash on my kiln, it’s almost always a sign that the relay needs to be replaced. And when I say “I” replace it, what I really mean is my amazing husband, Dan, does the work!
Here’s how we (well, mostly he) change the relay:
- First, we unplug the kiln (safety first!).
- Then, we gently turn it on its side.
- Dan removes the old relay and installs the new one.
- After that, he replaces the bottom of the kiln, plugs it back in, and turns it on.
- We wait for the display to show the temperature—always a good sign!
- Once it’s up and running, I set the kiln furniture and shelf back inside, load my glass pieces, program the kiln, and listen for that beautiful click…the sound of a happy, working relay!
Thank you, Dan, for keeping my baby kiln in perfect working order—I couldn’t do it without you!
A while back, I invested in a very expensive Covington flat lap grinder. But honestly, it was a bit of a struggle—it splashed water everywhere, and eventually, the pump stopped working. When I attended the Glass Expo this month (check out my DYK post for more about that amazing trip!), I made sure to stop by the Covington booth. I met Ashlee, who was incredibly helpful. I explained my issues, and she immediately offered me a new pump—for free! (Even though I fully intended to buy one!) Ashlee also gave me a critical tip: make sure the dirty water drains into a separate bucket, not the same one the pump pulls from. So, I bought a new bucket, set everything up—and guess what? The pump worked perfectly!
I also mentioned how much the grinder splashes water onto me, and Ashlee suggested using a pool noodle to help block the spray. I had tried something similar before (see the picture on the left), but it hadn’t worked at all. Now, with the right setup and a little fine-tuning, my fancy flat lap runs so much better—and I can finally use my big grinder the way I intended. Yay for small fixes making a big difference!
About a year ago, I bought this big, fancy grinder—thinking it would make my work easier. But instead, it was so frustrating! I could never get the water to feed the bit properly, which made grinding even harder than it needed to be. While I was at the Glass Expo this month, I made a point to visit the TECHNIGlass booth. I’m so glad I did! The representative there took the time to show me exactly how to fix the issue—and explained that the grinder should actually sit lower on the shaft.
After adjusting it the way he showed me, my grinder now works perfectly! What a difference a little know-how can make. And yes, sorry about the mess—grinding is definitely a messy job! But at least now it’s a whole lot more productive!
Now, if only I could fix my two saws! The one on the left? It’s basically just a glorified shelf at this point—completely useless. I really wish there had been a booth for that brand at the Expo, because you know I would have asked for help! As for the saw on the right, it still kind of works…but it wiggles so much that intricate cuts are almost impossible. It’s fine for basic straight cuts, but anything detailed is a real challenge. One step at a time, right?
I use my drill a lot—and if you saw it, you could tell by how messy it’s gotten over time! The other day, I was trying to drill some holes and realized the drill head wouldn’t move up or down. Super frustrating! So, I had Dan take a look at it. Turns out, it just needed a little TLC. Dan sprayed some WD-40 on the gears and teeth that control the up-and-down movement. Then he cranked it up and down several times to work the lubricant in and loosen everything up. Now it works like a charm! I’ve already drilled several pieces since he fixed it. Thank you, Honey, for keeping my drill—and me—up and running!
If you ever take a fused glass class with me, you’ll even get a chance to use some of these tools and equipment yourself! It’s all part of the creative (and sometimes messy) fun of working with glass.
If you’d like to see more of my fused glass creations, please visit my website: Elegant Fused Glass by Karen. You can also check out my Elegant Fused Glass by Karen YouTube channel for videos featuring my work. And if you’d like to stay up-to-date on what I’m working on—and learn a little more about the world of fused glass—be sure to subscribe to my newsletter, published on the last day of each month. I’d love to have you join me on this glassy adventure!
Keeping my kiln warm,
Karen
