110 or 220 HT oven?

rustyrazor

rustyrazor

Joined
Oct 13, 2011
Messages
1,774
Here's my dilemma: I can get either a 18" 120v or a 20" 220v heat treat oven at this point... is it worth the extra $300 to go to 220 or will I be just as happy with a 110 system. What's the advantages of each?
 
Go with the 220. You'll have the oven for years, and it'll heat quicker. Over 10 years, the difference is $30.00/year. The smaller ovens are convenient for those who would have to rewire their shop to use 220.
 
I used a small 110 potter kiln for a while with good results, but it literally took hours to get up to stainless range. The 220 one I built just took a few afternoons and will hit temp in about ten minutes if I make it....usually go slower, it seems kind of brutal to run it that hard, never in that much of a hurry :)
I'm probably just a Ford Diesel guy rather than a sport bike guy- why sprint when you can enjoy the ride. :)
 
I just built a 110v oven and it works great. I'm sure the 220v is better but mine still works good. It takes about 10-15 min to get to 1400. Then 20-30 to get to 1900. I went with the 14 amp, 1600 watt element. Its also 15x4.5x6.
 
If US and you have 220V instalation. Go for it.

In Europe we have this sweet 240V or 400V instalation :D
My actual muffle kiln PEM-1 2,5kW is for 240V.
From 20*C to 780*C I heated this last time in 58 minutes.

I don't want to know how long will take to heat 110V kiln :D
 
Well, you have to look at the size of oven and watt of heating element. I suspect the 120vac oven has a good bit lower wattage heating element which is going to take a LOTS longer to heat. Not sure what oven manuf you're looking at, but usually there isn't much difference in cost of 120 vs 220 in the same size oven. The extra $300 is for the longer/larger oven, not so much the voltage rating.

Ken H>
 
The other important factor would be the Controller....You want to ramp and soak and when HT if you want to hit SS high temp the controller logic can jump steps to side step unwanted parameters. 220v is more cost effective when you do much heat treating cuz it runs at a lower cost at the meter.
 
they are both evenheat ovens with a rampmaster III controller... I'm not likely to turn pro anytime soon, but I think the 220 may end up being the better bet in the long run.
 
Since you're going with the Evenheat oven, I do think you're making the right choice with 240vac.

Evenheat KF 18 oven is spec'd at 120volts, 12amps, 1440watts while the same size 18" oven with 240volts, 13amps, 3120watts.

Note the 240vack has about twice the amount of wattage in the heating elements - I suspect it will heat just about twice as fast. I've got the 18" Evenheat with 240VAC element and it takes about an hour to get to 1975ºF. Sure would take a LONG time if it had half as much wattage heating element.

Later
 
also since you are getting the even heat ask whoever orders it for you to order the bill burke special. evenheats get very Hot on the outside especially at stainless temps. the bill burke mod adds a small amount of extra insulation which helps this. I does cost a little more but not a significant amount. all is need is to write bill burke special on the order.
 
Another vote for 220v and the Bill Burke mod! I think the BB mod adds $20 or $30 but its worth it.
 
I just bought a 110v Evenheat off craigslist because it was a good deal. I have 220 in my shop but didn't want to miss out on a good deal. I very much regret that decision. I'm a hobbiest not a full time knife maker so I'm not out in the shop all that much. Waiting 2.5-3 hours for the oven to reach 1950 is aggravating. It ramps up to 1500 pretty quick, but that last 500 is painfully slow. Long story short another vote for 220.
 
I went through this decision a few years ago, I ended up getting the 18" 220 with the Rampmaster controller. Excellent set up and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
 
brilliant... thanks gents. too late for the BB special, these ones are already on the shelf ready to ship so I think i'll bit the bullet and just keep it away from the gas jugs when I'm cranking out blades, lol.
 
Btw. What do you think guys about kiln like that ?

4,5kW 400V 3 phase power.
Controller: Based on PLC and software. 7inch touch screen.
p244.jpg
 
Kosa_PL said:
Btw. What do you think guys about kiln like that ?

4,5kW 400V 3 phase power.
Controller: Based on PLC and software. 7inch touch screen.
p244.jpg
Click to expand...

If I ever need to heat treat diamonds , that should do the trick!
 
Depends on the price of this fancy 4.5KW unit. Sure looks like a NICE controller. The 3 phase might not be much an issue, just rewire the elements to a 220 vac 1ph arrangement - I think that's your standard ins't it? 220vac single phase? I expect the controller is only picking up power from the single phase rather than all 3 phases- might have a 3 phase to single phase control transformer....

Again, depending on price and how much working rewiring is required - might be a good deal.

Ken H>
 
Bill Burke said:
....order the bill burke special. evenheats get very Hot on the outside especially at stainless temps. the bill burke mod adds a small amount of extra insulation which helps this.
Click to expand...
I sure wish I had known about that before ordering my Everheat oven - while it's not "HOT!!!", it does get warm. The better insulation would also allow faster heat up times.

Ken H>
 
Bill Burke said:
also since you are getting the even heat ask whoever orders it for you to order the bill burke special. evenheats get very Hot on the outside especially at stainless temps. the bill burke mod adds a small amount of extra insulation which helps this. I does cost a little more but not a significant amount. all is need is to write bill burke special on the order.
Click to expand...

How cool is it that you have an option for an oven named after you! I wish I would have known about the option also.
 
My kiln will be made for order, for about x.xxx$ .
With 3 phase heating elements.
150mm x 200mm x 450mm chamber.
In next 2 months I will have new 3 phase Power connection to my workshop.
Only 15kW of 3 phase power :D
 
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