- Joined
- Dec 2, 2005
- Messages
- 157
Well after my kiln broke to the point it needed a major overhaul I decided to finally build a high temperature salt pot. I already had the controller and thermocouple from my kiln and looked on eBay for about a week to get my solenoid valve. I have everything finished except for the salt which should be on its way from Darren Ellis.
Here is the pot itself. Its 21" long by 4" I.D. 304L with a chunk of stainless channel welded on the bottom for the base. With the salt in there it should allow me to heat treat anything up to 18" long.
Here's the whole setup, I scrounged the cart out of a dumpster at my dads work. Never underestimate the useful stuff you can find if your willing to go dumpster diving.
Here is a shot of the control panel. The temp controller is the one I took off my kiln, the toggle switch is three way which allows me to shut of the gas flow by setting it in the middle. If its flipped up it opens the valve and overrides the temp controller while its warming up, once it gets up to temperature I can flip it down to activate the controller. Originally we were going to just put a 2-way toggle switch but we had this 3-way one and my brother decided to wire it up this way. It makes it much easier to light since I can turn on the gas at the regulator on the propane tank and then simply hold my torch in front of the burner and flip the switch opening the gas valve. Also the light is wired to come on anytime the valve is open so I know when the burner should be on.
Here are a couple shots of the burner. Its a venturie burner that's very similar to the one found here: http://metalcast.boorman.us/reil_1.html The only thing I added was the flap at the back which gives it much more control.
You can see the solenoid valve in the right side of this picture. Like I said I found this on eBay after about a week. It's made by Asco and cost about $20 with shipping. Its important to get a valve that is normally closed meaning that when there is no power running to it the valve remains closed.
Finally here is a shot of the interior with the burner on.
Here is the pot itself. Its 21" long by 4" I.D. 304L with a chunk of stainless channel welded on the bottom for the base. With the salt in there it should allow me to heat treat anything up to 18" long.
Here's the whole setup, I scrounged the cart out of a dumpster at my dads work. Never underestimate the useful stuff you can find if your willing to go dumpster diving.
Here is a shot of the control panel. The temp controller is the one I took off my kiln, the toggle switch is three way which allows me to shut of the gas flow by setting it in the middle. If its flipped up it opens the valve and overrides the temp controller while its warming up, once it gets up to temperature I can flip it down to activate the controller. Originally we were going to just put a 2-way toggle switch but we had this 3-way one and my brother decided to wire it up this way. It makes it much easier to light since I can turn on the gas at the regulator on the propane tank and then simply hold my torch in front of the burner and flip the switch opening the gas valve. Also the light is wired to come on anytime the valve is open so I know when the burner should be on.
Here are a couple shots of the burner. Its a venturie burner that's very similar to the one found here: http://metalcast.boorman.us/reil_1.html The only thing I added was the flap at the back which gives it much more control.
You can see the solenoid valve in the right side of this picture. Like I said I found this on eBay after about a week. It's made by Asco and cost about $20 with shipping. Its important to get a valve that is normally closed meaning that when there is no power running to it the valve remains closed.
Finally here is a shot of the interior with the burner on.
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