If you’re shopping for a new kiln or oven or exploring controller upgrades, you might have asked yourself: “Do I need a PID temperature controller – and what does that even mean?” You’ve probably seen those three letters show up so often in your search that it’d be easy to write them off as marketing […]
When it comes to kilns, it’s safety first! With proper precautions, using an at home kiln can be an extremely safe and rewarding experience. But when temperatures run high, you don’t want to take chances! Kiln safety has three main phases: Installation, Operation, and Kiln Maintenance. In the guide below, we’ll be covering each of […]
When it comes to pottery, low-fire clay (also known as earthenware) is a popular choice. After all, low-fire clay is easy to work with and can be fired in most kilns. However, before getting started, it’s important to understand the firing temperature requirements of low-fire clay. Today, we’ll be sharing a Cone 06 firing schedule […]
Let’s talk heat treat! Whether you’re crafting knives, blades, jewelry, tools, industrial components, or any other metal object, you’ll want those objects to have specific qualities – whether that’s shape, hardness, toughness, flexibility, or even electrical conductivity. That’s where temperature comes into play. This article will teach you the ins and outs of heat treatment […]
Heat treating knives is an integral part of the knifemaking process. After designing the knife, cutting the profile, and adding the bevel, heat treating knives is one of the final stages of knifemaking before finishing the blades and attaching the handle. What Is the Purpose of Heat Treating Knives? Knifemakers expose blades to specific temperatures […]
When it comes to firing kilns, some of us had to learn the hard way! In fact, my absolute frustration with trying to figure out the controls for my glass studio kilns back in the day led us to create the TAP Kiln Controller. But programming the right firing schedule is just a small fraction […]
We hope 2026 has been amazing for you so far! But before we leave 2025 totally in the past, we wanted to share some of the strides we made for artists everywhere in our SDS Industries 2025 Year in Review. This past year was a major year for us – including new products, new partnerships, […]
Owning a kiln is a little bit like owning a car. With mindful operation and a little bit of routine maintenance, your kiln should last for decades! Proper kiln maintenance ensures your kiln remains safe and operational during that time. The good news is that kiln maintenance is much simpler (and less expensive!) than maintaining […]
When it comes to firing ceramics, different types of clays and glazes are rated for different temperatures. A kiln firing chart, also known as a cone firing chart, is a useful tool for understanding the effects of temperature on different types of clays and glazes, as well as determining what firing schedule setpoints should be […]
What happens when the brand that built one of America’s very first electric kilns partners with the company that pioneered the world’s first commercial touchscreen kiln controller? Customers get the best of both worlds – right out the box! Paragon Kilns is now offering TAP II and TAP II Pro as default kiln controller options […]