A Compact 9" Cube Lampworking Kiln. Big 4" Door, Small Studio Footprint.
The AF3P Bead 4 is built for lampworkers who need a reliable annealer with real working room. The interior is a 9" x 9" x 9" cube, which is genuinely large for a portable lampworking kiln. Most bead annealers force you to work small. This one gives you room for larger beads, sculptural marbles, and pieces that wouldn't fit through a typical bead-door opening.
That extra room is matched by a 4" x 9" front door, big enough to garage most lampworking pieces straight off the torch without struggling with clearance. The kiln is side firing only, which is the configuration that works best for lampworking: heat comes from the walls, the chamber holds a steady annealing temperature, and your beads cool down slowly and evenly without thermal shock.
It runs on standard 120V household power with a regular NEMA 5-15 plug. No electrician, no panel upgrade, no studio rewiring. Plug it in next to your torch and fire. Maxes out at 1700°F, plenty for annealing soft glass and boro within their respective working ranges.
Included with every order
Kiln shelf, posts, kiln wash, digital controller, and base brick or stand. Everything you need to start annealing right out of the box.
Who Is This Kiln For?
The Bead 4 is built for a specific kind of artist with a clear job to do. Here's how to tell if that's you.
✓ Lampworkers and flameworkers who need reliable annealing
The 4" x 9" front door lets you load pieces straight off the torch without losing chamber heat or fighting clearance. Side firing keeps the annealing temperature steady and even. This is what a dedicated annealer should do.
✓ Bead and marble artists working at larger sizes
A 9" cube interior is generous for a lampworking kiln. If you've outgrown a tiny bead annealer or your sculptural pieces won't fit through a smaller door, this is the upgrade.
✓ Lampworkers with limited studio space
Cube footprint, 50 lb weight, and 120V plug-in operation mean you can fit this kiln on a bench next to your torch in a small studio, classroom, or apartment workspace.
✓ Traveling demonstrators and workshop instructors
Compact and portable enough to pack for demonstrations and workshops, runs on any standard outlet wherever you set up.
For a kiln you'll fire often, the Solid State Relay (SSR) is a worthwhile upgrade. It gives you tighter temperature control, longer element life, and quieter cycling, and tends to outlast the standard mechanical relay by a wide margin. The optional metal stand brings the kiln to a more comfortable working height next to your torch and gives it room to breathe in the studio.