Electric Kilns

6

629hugo

Joined
Feb 10, 2013
Messages
191
What do you think about a pottery kiln for heat treat. I think most have manual temp control but could be fitted with PID. They are about $300 on Craiglist.
 
From what I've found they aren't the best option. I've read that guys cut a square shaped hole in the top that can be covered with a fire brick. Then you thread wire through the tang holes and let them dangle from the top while heat treating.

I've looked at them before but I think, depending on the steel, proper heat treating can be difficult even with purpose-built knife making ovens. I'm just gonna hold of until I can afford a even heat or a paragon.
 
A pottery kiln will work, but......

1} Top load kilns are difficult and dangerous to load when hot
2} You have a LOT of space to heat for the size of a couple blades

I've never tried one but these would be my first concerns. Maybe someone who has tried it will have more feedback.

{for what it's worth, I use an Evenheat. Money well spent in my opinion}
 
I have one and love it. Have used it for years. Paid 250.00 and cut a slot and put a PID controller on it. I have also put a large metal tube in the middle to stop heat from radiating from when it cycle but you need to do that with all kilns. I have many knife maker friends who use them and they are great. What I like is you dont have to open a door to put the blade in or out. I had one with a door and I will say it is some hot when you open it to get the blade out and of course heat drops and takes a while to come back up. All in all. I love mine and would rather have it than one with a door. My 2 cents.
 
DanGraves said:
I have one and love it. Have used it for years. Paid 250.00 and cut a slot and put a PID controller on it. I have also put a large metal tube in the middle to stop heat from radiating from when it cycle but you need to do that with all kilns. I have many knife maker friends who use them and they are great. What I like is you dont have to open a door to put the blade in or out. I had one with a door and I will say it is some hot when you open it to get the blade out and of course heat drops and takes a while to come back up. All in all. I love mine and would rather have it than one with a door. My 2 cents.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm... That sounds real interesting. How much do you have in it all together? If you had any pics I'd love to see them. I spoke with a guy on CL the other day about a big even heat kiln he wanted $200 for
 
If it works and you can still get coils jump on it. I mention coils as they go out eventually and need replacement. Pretty sure you can get an Even heat. You can get a controller with thermocouple and contact switch for well under a 100.00. If the even heat has a pid then run dont walk and buy it. I have about 350.00 in mine.
 
Dan, how bout a photo?
What I"m wondering is, how do you keep all the heat from going out the slot- stuff it with Kaowool or something?
 
BTW, I just made the coils for my homebuilt, and it wasn't too tough at all, didn't take long.
 
Just cover the slot with k-wool or a firebrick. Its a skutt kiln.
 
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