Writing
Notes, essays, and research from Kiln Shed.
- wheel-comparisons
Shimpo VL Whisper vs Speedball Clay Boss: Is Quiet Worth It?
Shimpo VL Whisper at $1,780 versus Speedball Clay Boss at $1,039. Same 100-pound capacity; the gap buys direct drive, 10 decibels of quiet, and a lighter wheel.
- Wheels
Brent Model C Review: Who It's For and What Breaks First
Brent Model C review: 3/4 HP, 225 lb capacity, 10-year warranty, $2,100-2,300 street price. Who it's built for, what breaks first, and when to buy the B.
- Glass
Glass Fusing Kiln Guide: What to Buy and What to Skip
How to choose a glass fusing kiln for home or studio. 120V vs 240V, clamshell vs top-load, Skutt vs Evenheat vs Paragon, and which size fits your work.
- kiln-reviews
L&L e23T Review: Hard Ceramic Element Holders, Tested
The L&L e23T fires to cone 10 in 6.7 cubic feet with hard ceramic holders that shield the elements. Verified specs, cost to fire, and how it meets the KM-1027.
- Glass
Microwave Kiln Guide: Glass Fusing in Your Kitchen
What microwave kilns can and can't fuse, how they work, honest limits on size and temperature, and when to upgrade to a real glass-fusing kiln.
- kiln-reviews
Paragon Caldera Review: Cone 10 on a 120V Outlet
The Paragon Caldera reaches cone 10 on a standard 15-amp 120-volt circuit with no special wiring. Verified specs, cost to fire, and who this small kiln serves.
- wheel-reviews
Shimpo VL-Whisper Review: The Quietest Studio Wheel
The Shimpo VL-Whisper runs a DC brushless Nidec motor near 60 decibels, 100-pound capacity, 0 to 240 RPM on a 120V outlet. Verified specs and owner reports.
- kiln-reviews
Skutt KM-1018 Review: The Mid-Size Studio Sweet Spot
The Skutt KM-1018 gives 4.6 cubic feet of cone 10 capacity on a 50-amp circuit. Verified specs including the wattage Skutt omits, cost to fire, owner reports.
- kiln-reviews
Skutt KM-818 Review: Compact Cone 10 for Small Studios
The Skutt KM-818 fires to cone 10 in a 2.6 cubic foot chamber on a 40-amp circuit. Verified specs, cost-to-fire math, and owner reports for tight spaces.
- wheel-reviews
Speedball Artista Review: What a 25-Pound Wheel Means
The Speedball Artista is a tabletop pottery wheel with 25-pound capacity and an 11-inch wheel head for $595. Verified specs, who it serves, and where it stops.
- wheel-reviews
Speedball Clay Boss Review: Belt Drive, 10-Year Warranty
The Speedball Clay Boss gives 100-pound capacity on a belt-drive motor with a 10-year warranty. Verified June 2026 pricing and honest home-studio owner reports.
- Wheels
Pottery Wheel Buying Guide: Centering, Drive, and Fit
How to choose a pottery wheel: why motor HP misleads, centering capacity, belt vs direct drive, reversibility, and splash pans, with a verified spec table.