how to make a salt pot

Bailey Knives

Bailey Knives

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 18, 2004
Messages
3,802
It has been quite some time since I have posted on the forum. Babies do that to you. I am wondering if there are any comprehensive plans on building a salt pot. I have looked at Don Fogg's page, and it is not as comprehensive as I need. If someone could point me in the direction of a good set of plans, I would appreciate it. If you could even draw some up for me, I would be willing to toss a few bucks your direction for the effort.

Thanks, Matt
 
Matt, There is a reason no one makes or publishes comprehensive plans for a salt pot (or why there are virtually no commercial salt pots for sale). They are inherently dangerous.It is a sort of catch 22 - If you understand them enough to safely use one,then you will know enough about them to build one.Even the best of the salt pot guys treat them with the utmost respect.In a high temp salt pot,literally one drop of sweat,a bird poop,or a rain drop can turn them into a 2000 degree grape shot cannon.A low temp salt pot for tempering or niter bluing is a lot safer ,and easier to build.
Stacy
 
so would I be better off looking at an electric kiln to achieve more control over the heat treat process?
 
This is a good set of plans. Although I would recommend using a free thermocouple instead of one built into the salt pot. You can get better readings on temperature this way. Salt IMHO are superior to kilns if you can get past the downfalls of them. Kiln guys don't flame me I just mean heats faster and with no decarb. But you do have to deal with the danger and building.
http://www.mstarling.com/salt_pot_design.html

HTH

~Matthew
 
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