Low Temp Salt Pot

[DanF]

I am gathering materials (and information), for a low temp salt pot and had a question about the hygroscopic nature of salts.

I understand that when the pot is not in use it needs to be sealed against moisture in the atmosphere.
My question is how sealed is sealed enough? (It is very moist/humid around here).
Thanks

 

[Natlek]

I am gathering materials (and information), for a low temp salt pot and had a question about the hygroscopic nature of salts.

I understand that when the pot is not in use it needs to be sealed against moisture in the atmosphere.
My question is how sealed is sealed enough? (It is very moist/humid around here).
Thanks

My friend have one , big one. It is very well sealed with silicone rubber and cover can me fixed / locked .Inside when not in use they put in empty space some kind of Styrofoam? in shape of container so that there would be no air inside. I think it's Made in Germany, but I'm not sure

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I built one from an old pottery kiln with a heavy stainless pipe that went through the top. I set up a basic PID to control the temperature. I used low temp nitrate salts.
I had a rubber cap that fit snugly on the pipe. When I turned the unit on, I set a 1 hour hold at 250°F to dry the salts. There would be some sizzling for a while then it got quiet. I ran the salts at 450-475°F for the quench.
You could straighten any warp or twist easily by hand because it stayed austenite until allowed to cool in the aluminum plates. It only did shorter knives, and I zeroed in my HT so I didn't get warps, so I don't use it anymore.
It was also great for niter-bluing hardware at 550-600°F. Even blades could be dipped in and out to get colored. The fast dip isn't long enough to affect the temper appreciably.

 

[DanF]

Okay thanks guys.
So it is more than just a cover, has to be pretty snug and then dry the salts with low temps then crank it on up.

 

[Larrin]

When the salts solidify again it is a solid block and only the top is exposed to atmosphere. I don’t see how that would lead to much moisture in the salt. Is this a common problem that has been reported?

 

[DanF]

^Watching.
The old threads I went through mentioned it, I’m interested in any first hand experiences?
(I know Stacy has made and used one)

 

[shqxk]

Low temp salt pot is pretty popular equipment in my country, almost every serious knifemaker has it. I also live in very high humidity country (Thailand). When not in use just seal it with normal plastic wrap is enough.

 

[DanF]

I like that design, seems like a small footprint like that would be ideal in my small shop.
Much smaller than a kiln