My vertical slipjoint kiln

Randy3000 · Aug 25, 2018

HSC /// said:
R Randy3000 you mentioned something about you like to HT/quench multiple blades springs at the same time.
how do you do this? hold them together with some wire or rod?
what material is this wire?

and then do you just dunk them in the quench oil all at the same time?

I have only done test parts in the new kiln. I dont yet know what the eventual process will be. Ideally i will use a wire umbrella that encircles the thermocouple, and quench all parts at the same time. I have kanthal wire and stainless wire in 12 gauge, which is about the biggest wire i can put through a 3/32" hole and it hang freely. Blades and single leg springs will be easy to hang from wire. For double leg springs with only a center hole, i think i will have to make one leg longer and have an auxillary hanging hole that gets cut off after heat treating.

I dont really know how it will hold up over time and repeated quenches. I can find no discussion on this matter anywhere. I know people do it, they just dont discuss wire specifics, so i am expecting it isnt a big deal, just replace as needed.

Randy3000 · Sep 3, 2018

So i have data on my phone now and imgur is back up (it wouldnt let me upload photos for a few days). Sorry for the delay.

On the left is my austenizing kiln and on the right is my tempering kiln. On the floor is a bunch of broken bricks that i sanded smooth surface on (messy!).

This has 6.5" depth. My parts are typically 3.25" long, 3.5" max. Maybe one day i will try a big 4" slipjoint, but i prefer midsized knives.

Here is a top view. I make a little hole with four bricks and just drop the parts in on a wire. I have a plastic (electrically insulated) pipe with a metal hook on it and i just leave the wires hooked on that while the parts are in. I can quench however many parts i reasonably want to at the same time. It works really well.

This is my KISS kiln duo. Going vertical makes a door unnecessary, and i think you get more even heat since the parts are in center of kiln instead of floor. I have done 6 springs at 1/16" that normally have a slight warp to them with my old kiln and they came out great for me this time. Time will tell, but i think it is a good move.

Edit
I just realized the first pic was before i secured the legs of the kiln to the cart with corner brackets. It would be disastrous if they tipped over, but the setup is stable.