Evenheat 18" 120v

S.Alexander

S.Alexander

Joined
Jul 7, 2013
Messages
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I just got a retro cheque from work, and am thinking about buying an evenheat rampmaster 18" in 120v. I'm currently just using a propane forge, which limits me pretty severely in the steels I can use.

Does anyone here use this kiln? Any concerns about it? 120v is convenient for me as I don't have any 220v in my shop. Does it heat up fast enough using just 120v?

Any advice is welcomed.

Shane
 
I have the Evenheat KH418 with Rampmaster controls in 120V. I don't know what "fast enough" is since I don't have other ovens with which to compare. I will say that going from ambient temperature, let's say 80˚F, to 1500˚F at max rate will take in the neighborhood of an hour. No matter how long it takes for me I'm glad to have it and don't worry about such things. It's just nice to have the control to accurately hit the temps I need.
 
i have a 220v and goes to 2000f in about 1.5 hour. if you are sticking with more simple steels i think 120v might be ok but even the 220v has to work hard to keep the high temps (ran it one time at 2150f and it was nearlly always "on")
 
I used a 120VAC oven for a good while before I went to 220VAC. The difference was nice, but you can get by with 120VAC.

However, really think hard and long about adding 220VAC to your shop.
It has many more advantages besides a better oven supply voltage. You can run larger motor equipment and other shop tools more efficiently as well as have much less strain on the circuits. The difference between a 120VAC welder and a 220VAC welder is really significant. If you are going to be at that shop for more than a few years, the cost of upgrading is surely money well spent. In many cases, it is surprisingly reasonable. Have a friend who is adept at wiring look at your breaker panel and shop setup.
 
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Thanks for the advice guys. I found the 120v in stock here in Canada, at Canadian knifemaker supply. If they only had 220v I would be open to wiring my shop with 220.
 
I have the 120v version, which I also bought from knifemaker.ca

The kiln works great! I've run it for a *lot* of hours given how long I've had it, and it's never missed a beat. The control is nice. One of the nicer tools in my shop I think, given that it 'just works'!
 
So I have ordered the evenheat kf 180, and it should be on its way shortly!

I have a question about ramping to different temps though. When heating a simple steel that doesn't require a pre-heat, I understand that I should let the kiln get up to temp, and then put my blade in, in order to prevent the blade from overheating due to radiant heat from the coils. However, if preheating to a lower temp for several minutes, and then ramping to austentizing temp, will the blade possibly become overheated? Or should I adjust the rampmaster to ramp to austentizing temp at a slower rate?

Thanks
 
Once the oven is up to the first soak point ( often called pre-heat), put your blade in. The ramp rate and the controller software will pretty much prevent radiant overheating. Can the blade heat up slightly faster or higher than the chamber during ramp...sure. Is it normally any amount to worry about....no. It isn't as much of an issue as many make it out to be.
 
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