Extend heat treat oven

[JohnnyUtah]

I currently have a 27" Evenheat that has been serving me very well, but I'd love to try my hand at a sword that would extend a bit beyond this length. I don't plan on a blade longer than 27" so additional length would simply need to accommodate the tang. I know extending this thing would not be the ideal solution, but as a very temporary solution for a sword or two, does anyone have any input on a reasonable method of extension?

 

[Blankblank]

I currently have a 27" Evenheat that has been serving me very well, but I'd love to try my hand at a sword that would extend a bit beyond this length. I don't plan on a blade longer than 27" so additional length would simply need to accommodate the tang. I know extending this thing would not be the ideal solution, but as a very temporary solution for a sword or two, does anyone have any input on a reasonable method of extension?

Ive seen people talk in here about multiple part kilns that you can attach together im pretty sure.

Would be a decently big hassle probably, but if you wanted to really go into swords and long blades like that. It might be worth it.

Tbh though. If you are just going to be using a low alloy steel for this. You can probably just do some kind of charcoal/forge setup, and heat treat like that. Would it be ideal? No. But does anyone really care about their sword having the most top of the line heat treatment? Its likely going to sit on a shelf its entire life. So its not like it would be a huge deal.

 

[DevinT]

This probably won’t help you but I have put two furnaces face to face before, it’s a little tricky pulling stuff out, but works.

Hoss

 

[Ken H>]

Since your current oven is 27" and you say only need room for the tang, perhaps lay in oven sorta catty-corner, close door as far as it's good. Then use some ceramic blanket (like this, 201588565559 - ebay search) to wrap the open portion of the door. Won't be idea, but should work sufficient for tang.

OR, you could alway use a holesaw to cut a hole thru the door to allow the tang to stick out since it doesn't have to be hardened. Then later use the removed plug to repair the hole in door.

 

[Travis Talboys]

I recently had this same problem. I ended up purchasing a piece of sheet metal from Home Depot and making a box sized to fit the end of my oven. I lined the box with ceramic wool. It wasn't the perfect solution, but it seems to have worked out well enough.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

If all you need is a few inches for the tang, make a thin slot in the door that the sword can slip snugly through. Do it at floor level so the blade will sit along the floor. You can plug up any gaps with bits of kao-wool. When ready for quench, just pull the blade straight out and quench.
When done, plug the hole up with a wad of kao-wool or a thin slab of firebrick. Works fine. IRC, several folks did this for their FIF blade.

 

[Lorien]

I had to do this a little while ago;

gotta disconnect the door sensor in order to run the oven with the door open

 

[JohnnyUtah]

Wow, thanks everyone for the suggestions! Once I get the blade ready I’ll see which of these options suits it best. I really appreciate all the help!