DIY Heat Treat Oven WIP

[Kieran Klein]

I am going to start this off by saying I will try to make this as complete as possible. I know we all hate seeing a WIP that starts off great and ends with no finish. This will not (I hope) be that way here. I will make it as detailed as possible showing you as many pictures as I remember to take. Some times you get into a zone and forget to take pictures of steps. I will include a material list and links to where I acquired materials.

If I am making a huge mistake that I am not aware of please let me know! Making a oven can be dangerous! make sure you know what goes where so you don't get shocked or worse.

Build inspired by: http://www.budgetcastingsupply.com/papers/HT-FURNACE.pdf

Ok first off on this WIP shall be my material list

Local Materials:

K2300 or higher SOFT insulation bricks. You can find these at refractory supply,boiler repair businesses. So far the count is around 24 bricks but I had to buy in 12 brick packs so I have plenty.
High Temperature Mortar - Tractor supply
Hinges - Home Depot
Misc bolts screws nuts washers - Home Depot
Stainless bolts nuts washers - Fastenal
Fuses 2 20 amp slow blow 1 1amp fast acting - Home Depot
Mini Bus Bar - Home Depot
10/3 Wire - Home Depot
220v plug/outlet - Home Depot
18 ga. Wire - Home Depot
Sheet metal for top x2 - Home Depot
1 amp fuse holder - Autozone
High temp paint 2000 degrees - Home Depot

Online:

240 Vac Kanthal Heating Element - 2300 °F Max x2 - http://www.budgetcastingsupply.com/Heating-Elements.php
Insulation Board - http://www.budgetcastingsupply.com/Insulation-Board.php
High Temperature ceramic wire - http://www.ebay.com/itm/271075651116?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
Dpst switches - ebay
SSR 25 amp + heat sink x2 - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_30&products_id=9 http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_30&products_id=45

PID Controller - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=4
K Type Thermocouple - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_3&products_id=39
Thermocouple sheath - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_3&products_id=40
Box to mount it all in - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_34&products_id=143
Ceramic Blanket - http://www.axner.com/superwoolfiber-1thicksoldpersqft.aspx
Fuse Holder - http://www.discountfuse.com/30312_p/30312.htm


There might be more if I find I missed something I will add it. More to come! Having to upload some pics!.



OK HERE WE GOOOOOO!

First off you need a box/frame for the bones of this oven. I had this random box I think we found on the side of the road.

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It measured 13"x18"x24". It was too big so it needed to be cut down to size. I will make the top to come off for easy maintenance or whatever may arise.

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Next I sanded off the old paint and rust and applied 2000 degree paint to it. I am sure it will not get that hot on the outside but did it anyway and will clean it up in appearance.

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After two coats and several hours to dry I measured and cut the ceramic blanket. It will insulate the box even further to reduce heat leakage and make it more efficient. BTW IT IS VERY ITCHY!

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After the fun itchy part of cutting and placing the blanket I cut the insulation bricks to fill out the bottom. I couldn't get three across so they needed to be cut down.

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Ok after all that fun and dust. I marked where the elements need to go. So I measured the grooves to be about 1" apart x 3 the last one is 3/4". Looking back this picture is terrible but I think you can get a sense of what is going on...right?

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Both sides now marked and ready for the fun cutting part!

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You can cut the grooves with a hacksaw, but I found this file to being easier. Actually a arrangement of files are very handy here.

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All done.

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Dry fit top

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Ok to recycle some I took the top part of the box that I cut off to fashion a door.

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On the inside I put another layer of ceramic blanket and then brick on top of that with a retaining strap to keep them from falling out. It is not finished but this is the general idea. Then another lay of ceramic will go over top of that to put a tight seal from the door to the box.

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Now it all together with sheet metal on top. It still needs bent and screwed on. Along with more things but this is as far as I got today.

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[Kieran Klein]

reserved

 

[Kieran Klein]

reserved1

 

[dmelton]

Did the rest of this build get documented? Thanks for the parts list!

 

[grumpy_grinder]

Everyone here using solid state relays or what? I'm sure people must be getting decent results with electromagnetic relays with a well programmed controller.
any input?