Advice on a possible kiln

[PandaRen]

Hi all,

I'm new here and after a lifetime of wanting to make swords and knives, I finally decided to start! I've got most of the tool and have access to a giant blacksmith shop. The only thing really missing is something to heat treat the blades properly; a Kiln.

Now I just found something that could be a good fixer upper for the fun I intend to have but I wanted a opinion on if it's worth it or not (can it be fixed up properly and do what I need it to)?

Would this be worth picking up and is it possible to fix it up properly to HT anything? Planning on using 20cv and m390 for a few projects. Could pick this up for 100$CAD. I personally have no metal working/welding stuff but my buddy has his shop right under mine (I'm a carpenter) so it should help if ever.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Daniel Carraher]

A lot more info would be needed. What I’d the size and what temperatures can it hit currently

 

[PandaRen]

The inside is about 8x8x4 and I have no idea what temp it can hit. How would I go about finding out without buying it?

The two questions I have would be: 1-is it possible to fix it up properly and 2- can it be modified to have a proper heat control added to it?

 

[Daniel Carraher]

Yes to both but I wouldn’t bother at that size. You’d want something a lot deeper. That size would limit OAL a lot due to room needed for a wrapped blade with space from the coils. I’d say you want something 18-24” deep unless you were strictly making small folders.

 

[Drew Riley]

For $100, it may not be bad for folders and smaller knives and such. Changing out the controls (if necessary) shouldn't be a huge deal. A piece of kaowool would suffice for sealing that door if it can't be adjusted. I don't see it costing more than another $100 by the time you get a new PID and a piece of kaowool. $200 for a functional kiln is a heck of a deal, even if it is on the smaller side.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Can you post a photo of the name plate with the specs? Voltage, wattage, temp range, etc. should be on it. Also, posts a photo of the controller that is running the kiln.

 

[PandaRen]

I don't have those pictures but I figured I'd drop by the place and check it out myself.

L&L Manufacturing Co. E48 https://hotkilns.com/discontinued-pottery-kilns/e49-and-e48-enameling-kilns

It... doesn't seem to have any controls? Seems like plug and play. Hence why I wanted to know if I could add some (and keep them whenever I get to upgrading to something bigger).

Also remember it's 100$CAD so around 70$ USD lol

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Honestly, I would pass on it. It looks worn out, possibly missing the controller, and the size is not very useful for knives.
Also, they really only work up to 1600°F. The dial may go to 2000°, and the specs may say 1900°, but they just don't work at those temps.

 

[PandaRen]

Ok so how about this?

Owner says it goes to 1800 and works fine. Would it be simple to swap some things out to make it hit 2200? The bricks look fine and the frame too, making those things alone would cost more than what I would possibly pay for it I think. I could just scrap the controls and add something digital.

oh and it has a 13x13 interior

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

You can't "swap some things out" and make it run higher. You could replace the coils with larger and higher grade Kanthal, and make a PID /SSR controller, and use the shell and insulation. Get Kanthal to make it run at 2400 watts.

 

[Natlek]

Ok so how about this?

Owner says it goes to 1800 and works fine. Would it be simple to swap some things out to make it hit 2200? The bricks look fine and the frame too, making those things alone would cost more than what I would possibly pay for it I think. I could just scrap the controls and add something digital.

oh and it has a 13x13 interior

13x13 is pretty big chamber , unnecessarily wide for Ht knives ...Maybe divided in the middle with bricks into two parts...one for HT with new elements only on roof and other part for tempering ...............?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Natlek brings up the other point about using a burnout oven for knife HT - it isn't the right shape. Knife ovens usually have lower ceilings around 5-6" height, and are deeper, with 16-18" being a normal depth oven. Chamber size for a standard knife oven is 18X*X10X5. You can use your 13X13 oven, but you are heating a lot of air. If you are dead set on buying it and converting it for knife HT, I would consider adding a 3" layer of firebrick to the floor to lower the height, and a 2" layer of firebrick to the sides. This will also increase the insulation a lot and make the oven more efficient. You might also want to consider putting the coils on the roof of the oven like JT did.