Feedback on heat treat furnace - schindler electric furnace

[Youngacal]

Unusually handy and reliable for small
production runs, tool and die heat treating,
pilot operations and metallurgical testing.
300° to 2000°F
Equipped with Schindler Thermoshell
heating units - Tested by more than twenty
five years of industrial use. Coils are
permanently located in embedded material
which resists oxidation and chemical attack. Elements can be changed in
minutes without dismantling furnace, assuring steady operation. Elements
are carried in stock assuring prompt replacement service
Vertical Door - Has tight closure and is adjustable to any position. Element
installed in door for maximum temperature


Need some feedback if this would be good investment for knife kiln - max temp is only 2000F. Would this be sufficient for most steels? Am I right in assuming this or do we really need a kiln that goes up to 2500F

S7 1350/1400 1725/1750 15-45 AIR (4) 350/600 54/58
O1 1250/1300 1450/1500 15-30 OIL 350/500 58/63
A2 1350/1400 1750/1800 20-45 AIR 400/1000 56/62
D2 1400/1450 1825/l875 15 45 AIR 400/1000 55/62
CRUWEAR 1400/1550 1850/2050 15-45 AIR 900/1050 58/64
3V 1450/1550 1875/2050 20-45 AIR 950/1050 56/62

Thanks in advance

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

While certainly capable for carbon steel HT, it may be anemic for stainless. The maximum rating on an oven like that is usually about 100F higher than its practical limit. That would make 1900F about what it will work at as a ceiling. That is at the low side of most stainless steel HT (1900-1950F). If possible ask the people selling the oven how well it holds ( and how long it takes to heat up to) 2000F.


Other concerns you need to think about:
One major issue is the controller. I only see a PID. Is this a programmable oven with multi-stage programming for HT?
What is the selling price?
How much does that beast weigh?
What size is the chamber?
What power does the oven require?
Is the oven being sold as-is or is it a tested and running unit?