If you were buying a heat treat oven?

I can't comment on anything other than the paragon that I recently purchased, but it is a solid, fantastic little oven. I cant imagine an improvement I can think of other than a more complex alarm system that would ring based on programming segments rather than temperature. Controller took me all of 15 seconds to learn and I was HT'ing blades within 20 minutes of unpacking it, inluding reading instructions. The counterweighted door is easy to open and close, and it maintains temp perfectly.

Take it with a grain of salt, as many have years and years of experience with different ovens, but its my impression thus far...

4.JPG
 
EvenHeat. The Paragon is great, and I may end up with one of those also, based on Fitz's take on them. The Evenheat does all I need it to do, the door opens to the side instead of downwards (that could get uncomfortable on the hands and forearms. It took me a while to get used to the controls. I get tickled because everyone else that gets a new one talks about how fast they learned how to use it. I'm just getting old I guess, cause I had to tinker with the thing several days before my forehead started getting sore (from me hitting it). So far, no complaints at all, except I just hate the stupid mickey mouse door pull. Looks like it goes on some kids wooden furniture or something. I can live with the set-pro (now that I know how to use it), but if you don't like using arrow keys, Fitz talked the company into some sort of upgrade that gives you more keys, eliminating the arrow keys. I think the upgrade is around a hundred bucks.
That's all I can say about that Darrel. As you know, life is like a box of chocolates...
 
Paragon. You get what you pay for. I have a Sugarcreek and it's good for the money but I'll be getting a Paragon this year and use the other for tempering.
 
I don't know about the rest, but my Paragon has served me well for over 15 years, not one break down or repair.
 
Good Morning Mr. Ralph.I have to agree with everything that rhrocker said,I also have a set-pro control . Like rh said , once you get the hang of it , its not to bad , it is rather easy to program in fact. I have a 22.5" dp. kiln , it heats up in a snap and is dead on for temp.This has been verified by 2 different pyrometers , one rather inexpensive (but reliable) unit of mine from a pottery supplier.And one super duper high dollar unit from the local iron mine up here.I'm not sure what tictoc payed for his Paragon but my evenheat was had a really great price from Tim Zowada.With some of your connections you might be able to get it for an even better price than TZ .I am positive that whatever unit you pick it will serve its purpose well.Let us know what route you go and why , ( for further reference :) ).Have a grrrreat day guys ! Now lets make some chips !! :thumbup:
 
I also got a great price from Tim Zowada on an Evenheat, BUT I would go with Paragon in the future. Yes there is a price difference, but I really find the Evenheat to be pretty flimsy. I'm not saying it doesn't hold temp well and do what I need it to, but it always feels like it's going to fall apart on me.
John
 
John Frankl said:
I also got a great price from Tim Zowada on an Evenheat, BUT I would go with Paragon in the future. Yes there is a price difference, but I really find the Evenheat to be pretty flimsy. I'm not saying it doesn't hold temp well and do what I need it to, but it always feels like it's going to fall apart on me.
John
Click to expand...
the door hinge thats the only thing im not a big fan of
well that and i think im going to end up building a new kiln and using all the other parts from the evenheat im looking at something longer and slimmer like maybe something 30x6x6 fast ramp and short sword sized but i might be crazy too one can never tell
butch
 
Another thing about the paragon is that its built pretty much like a tank. I edited my first post to include a picture. Thats the smallest knifemaker version. A KM14D (Fits a 15" knife), which is nice because its 110V. It weighs about 110 pounds so is pretty easilly portable, too. My guess is you'd be looking for a bigger model to do batches....
 
Over the years I have had 4 evenheats of different sizes...

I think after looking into it deeper I will go for the Paragon. I like the build and I hear through the grapevine that the coils dont burn out as often.
This for me is a big factor.
Thanks to all for good information and feedback.
 
who has the best prices on the Paragon? what sizes available?
 
I ordered mine direct. I wasnt able to find anyone offering any lower. The knifemaker versions are built on a per-order basis according to them. They originally quoted me a 4 week build time, but with some smooth talking, I had mine within a week and a half.

This also means, though, that you can ask for modifications like a different swinging door if you'd like.
 
Knifekits.com will be handling Paragon now.
We are looking for suggestions on the voltage and size that you would like us to carry.
I also talked to Paragon about a side swing door set up for us.
We will see about that.
I will also be getting a KM14 myself so that I can use the controller to learn ramping, and soak for customer service.
We will also be taking lessons on repairing the coils and pyrometers for customer service.

Paragon makes a few different versions Ovens with different voltage hook ups.
Let us know what you want.
 
For what it's worth:

I have an "ancient" Paragon KM14 ("pre-digital", bought new in 1984) in 110V 14 amp and a 3 year old Evenheat 22.5" in 220V.

Even with the much smaller internal chamber size, the heating time from 1400F to 1900F is about double in the Paragon versus the Evenheat. I feel this is directly related to the voltage issue. (Added: it occurs to me that this may have changed with newer Paragons, so take this with a grain of salt.)

In my PERSONAL opinion, I would always recommend the 220V unless there is no option due to shop limitations.
 
Hey Fitzo,
I have to agree with you .
The 220v is 3200 watts!
The 110v is 1800 watts!
The heat up time will be much faster.

I was just wondering how many folks would like to see 1 oven available in 110v.
 
110V was a huge selling point for me. I am currently renting and cannot change any electrical, and can't exactly HT in my shared basement. I was going to have to do some electrical magic, HT in a closed basement getting oily smoke everywhere when quenching, or look for something in 110v.

I havent found ramp times to be that big of an issue at all with mine, probably due to the small chamber on the km14. I also do not work much in stainless, so havent seen how long it ramps from 1400 to 1900. I would be happy to run an experiement if you want me to. I have some D2 laying around somehwere....
 
Darrel Said: "I was just wondering how many folks would like to see 1 oven available in 110v."

I didn't see a question like that earlier Darrel, but I'll take wattage any day. I like the speed it offers also. I'd have to stick with my suggestion of a Evenheat, but there was another deciding factor with mine, it belongs to a friend that can't take it home or he'll get divorced, so it didn't cost me a penny! Even so, I wouldn't like waiting double the time for a warmup.
 
i also have a 220v evenheat mine is the 18 incher
for a 110 volt kiln i guess i would get a new kiln in 110 if i was just goingto use it to temper blades but that kiln wouldnt need to run hotter than 1100 for me cpm3v and 10v temper ranges
can something like this happen
1200F
110v kiln that can hold temp steady for 2 hours at a time
not to hard to set the temp
keep the price under 500
that would just about do me for a 2nd kiln
butch
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top