Heat treat ovens

[skillgannon]

I'm finally about ready to get a oven. The price difference between the 22" and the 32" is enough to make me think hard about getting the larger oven . Especially since the only thing I would be planning on that size is machetes . I saw one guy cut a hole in the door for long blades so I think I could deal with the short oven. I want to keep cost down but buy once cry once right? What features am u really going to be happy I bought? Is the Tap control worth it? Also if I do want to do long blades and build a second oven what controllers could I just swap over?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I feel that all knifemakers need a 22"/24" oven. Even though your current blades may be shorter than that, it is the best size for general knifemaking.
A 32"/36" oven is only needed by those who specialize in long blades.

If you eventually do an occasional longer blade or sword, send it out for HT.

 

[skillgannon]

I feel that all knifemakers need a 22"/24" oven. Even though your current blades may be shorter than that, it is the best size for general knifemaking.
A 32"/36" oven is only needed by those who specialize in long blades.

If you eventually do an occasional longer blade or sword, send it out for HT.

Thanks. That pretty much confirms what I was thinking. Any advise about controls or other features?

 

[Josh Rider]

I know guys are getting tap controllers and it’s new tech and some guys on here probably use or need it. I talked with a long time maker who uses a bunch of different steels and he uses the basic set-pro. I bought the same and love it. It’s simple to learn; took me like 10 mins.
You may be someone who needs the wi-fi and all the bells and whistles, but if you’re doing small batches or one offs, the set pro is great. Then take the couple hundred you saved and put it towards a dewar or a plate quench setup.
Just my opinion and what works for me.
I can always upgrade the controller later if the need arises.

 

[i4Marc]

Buy the biggest oven you can afford. The 18" was what I could afford at the time but I would love to have a 32" oven now. My oven has the Rampmaster controller and that is more that enough. The only upgrades I might look at besides the size of the oven is the relays. I think the newer relays may hold temps more accurately. Maybe some of the electronics guys around here can speak more to that.

 

[rodriguez7]

I just bought an evenheat 22.5 with rampmaster controller. I’m liking it! I would have liked bigger, but couldn’t justify the price difference. I might build a wakizashi or something later on, but I’ll have peters do the heat treat. Besides, my 22 takes 45 minutes to get to temp, I could only imagine the bigger ovens!