I've got a chance to get an old Olympic Kiln with Sitter Kiln controller

B

Bo T

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Feb 12, 2011
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It is a 110 V with .5 cubic feet running @ 15 A. I'll want to replace the controller with a digital, programmable controller and even though I've read the stickies the process is still a little hazy. I'll probably mount it on a cart.

I think a programmable digital control unit with a thermocouple, heat sink, and current control is available for a good price on the net ($120 - $150). What other supplies do I need to get to set it up, successfully? And what are the approximate costs?
 
It is a hexagonal kiln 11" wide by 9" deep. So a 9" OAL will be the max if I hang them and 11" OAL if I set one in the kiln.
 
You will run into problems with hanging a 9" long knife in a 9" deep kiln. It needs some room in front and back of it or the blade will heat unevenly. Same thing with setting one down. You would need a rack in the bottom to be able to set it with just the spine touching the bottom of the kiln and then you will have the issue of getting it out of the bottom of a really hot kiln. I believe the people who use vertical kilns hang them from steel wire. On the other hand you could use the fire brick, elements and digital programmer as a really good start to building a good knife kiln. I believe there was a how to on this site a while back or a tutorial on british blades. Either way good luck!
 
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