Heat treat oven

[Bladegunner]

There seems to be quite a few of the used ceramic kilns on the market most go up to 2300 degrees so they get hot enough are these acceptable for heat treating steel? Would probably need some kind of rack to hold the blade. Anyone use these? any other low cost options for heat treat? I live in a urban environment so coal is not available.

 

[Busto]

Most are capable of Heat Treating, but you would want to install a PID Controller to monitor precise time and temperature settings. The one draw back is Size a lot of area to pre-heat and wasted space unless you're doing extra long blades. They are designed to stack lots of pottery not a few thin blades. Depending on size used working kilns can be had cheap as long as there are replacement parts available(Heating coils damaged fire brick).
I've seen a couple where a hole was cut in the top lid so a short sword could be hung inside.

 

[scott.livesey]

There seems to be quite a few of the used ceramic kilns on the market most go up to 2300 degrees so they get hot enough are these acceptable for heat treating steel? Would probably need some kind of rack to hold the blade. Anyone use these? any other low cost options for heat treat? I live in a urban environment so coal is not available.

I would look at smaller front load kilns with a door. then decide what steel you want to work with. Most high carbon blade steels, to include the W's, the O's, 1095, 1084, 80CrV2, 15N20, and 52100, are quenched from 1450F to 1500F. I found a used Paragon E9A on eBay for less than $300 that heats to 1700F and can fit a 12" oal blade. I would also look at used lab furnaces.