Forge Control parts, questions

[ScottRoush]

Hey folks...

I'm getting ready to convert my horizontal sword heat treat forge to vertical and while I'm at it... add some control. I've been reading like a madman through the stickies... but I have a couple of questions.

Right now I have venturi type 'side arm' from Zoeller.. (NOT a t-rex) hooked up to my horizontal. Not sure if there is that much of a difference between those style burners. But I have my blown burner on a quick disconnect that can easily be moved to my sword forge. So it sounds like I should go ahead and set up my PID/SSR/thermocouple device as a hi/low so I can use it for either my blown forge or a venturi burner. But if I, for right now, set up for just the venturi... is it just a matter of putting the solenoid in line and hooking up to the PID?

Another question... Now that Ellis is no longer doing this stuff.... where is the best place to get the basic fittings? I've ordered some things from Aubern and ebay... but I still need a solenoid and the needle valve set up to do the hi/low by pass.

Thanks a lot...

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

First, Ellis is now called High Temperature Tools and Products
http://www.hightemptools.com/supplies-mainpage.html

The two-stage PID can run a venturi burner as well as a blown burner. You may have to play with the low setting to avoid flame-out. Mount a dedicated TC on each forge with a TC plug on the wires. That way you just unplug the TC, move the PID and burner to the other forge, and plug in the TC for that forge. You can build the PID, solenoid, and controls in a small tool box from HF.