need help with my paragon kiln.

M

meanmarine

Joined
Jul 8, 2015
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Hello I'm a new member and I need some help with my kiln. I have a KM18 paragon kiln and i'm going to use argon gas in firing so I don't have to wrap blades in foil. I have gone to paragon for help and no luck, they said we sold you the options but it is your problem to find out how to use. I didn't go to school a lot so some of these things are very hard for me. I need to find someone that can help me with this and I hope someone out there can help. I know that I may not be much help for you long time knife makers but as part of this foeum I will help if I can. I 'm not sure of all the things that a forum exspects from the users but I will do my best to fit in. I'm not real computer smart but i'm learning. Thank you Jerry SEMPER FI
 
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Hi Jerry, You are still going to need high temp foil even with the argon.I guess the argon helps how much I don't know.On mine I don't turn it on until 700 degree in segment 1. I keep the flow low also about4-5 scfh. Good luck. Lu
 
Lu. I don't want anyone to think i'm helpless but as far as this kilm i'm close. I don't understand the time by thickness by inch thing. Is there a rule to or a chart or something? I have never been to any forum before so this is all new. What i'm looking for is a way to set this kilm up to treat the steels I want to work with. I'm thinking of asking a person who has a kilm to write programs that I can understand I'm very poor in math and that is a real problem. I would be willing to pay for help. I hope this is ok in a forum to sak if a member would help for pay. I have only 6 months makeing knives and my knives are selling for 100.00, but i'm limted to D2 that is the only steel that I feel and my test show that heating in my gas kilm works great. I feel that I want to make a knife that I feel 100% about. Why do I need foil with gas i'm sure you are wright but want to know why? Thank you for your help. Jerry SEMPER FI
 
Jerry, welcome to Shop Talk.

The basic info you want is readily available from many sources. Don't get worried about time per inch thickness and such,...knives aren't thick. Use the shortest time given. For example, if it says, "Hold/soak for 30 minutes per inch thickness", then just program the hold for 30 minutes.

There is no magic book that tells you the program to use.
You will need to learn how to program the steps for your oven, but that is really pretty simple. Take a piece of paper and write down the steel type on the top. Write the numbers 1-10 down the sides. Start on step 1 with "Pre-Heat" and write down the pre-heat temperature, the hold ( soak) time, and the ramp rate ( usually 9999). Continue on through the other steps of the HT. Most HT have only a few steps. Be sure to write down the steps when doing the programming of the oven controller so you can do it again later on if needed. Store each program in the controller memory ( most have this feature) and make a note on the sheets like "AEB-L - Program #2"

The tech support folks at Paragon will help you if you get stuck, but first you have to learn how the oven is programmed. The users manual has both detailed info as well as a "Quick Start" section, IIRC. The Quick Start is all most knifemakers ever need. The technical stuff section is confusing to most everyone.




There is lots of good HT information on Alpha Knife Supply's site. Click the steel type and it gives the info you need.
http://alphaknifesupply.com/zdata-bladesteel.htm

Using the BF search engine will find a thread on almost any steel you want with HT info. There are lots of threads on programming a paragon oven and tips for HT.
https://cse.google.com/cse/home?cx=011197018607028182644:qfobr3dlcra

Changing your profile location to a city and state will make it easier for a nearby maker to offer to come over and help. Tulsa, OK is a lot more specific than "Great State".
When posting about a problem or requesting info, give us the specifics. Oven type/model/controller, steel type, blade type, etc.

It is not allowed to solicit paid help or sell things in shop talk. There is a section in The Exchange for requesting Knifemaker Services for that. Also, you aren't allowed to discuss the pricing of knives you sell, or discuss selling in general as a registered user. That is a privilege of a Knifemaker membership. Don't worry about it in this thread. We all see that you are new.

BTW, it is a KILN, not kilm.
 
Hey Jerry, I had programming issues with my kiln as well.There are videos from Paragon that will show the programming step by step(it' what I did) You can find these either on Paragons website or Youtube (I forget which) Try and watch the video with the kiln in front of you, and program yours like they program theirs(pause often)and you'll get the hang of it after a few times. The argon displaces some of the oxygen but since the kiln isn't air tight some oxygen remains (this is bad)The only reason I have it on mine was because I had the tanks.Make sure the foil you use is the high temp stuff.(I use Lyon Industries 309 annealed)
Good luck. Lu.
 
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The first time I tryed to use my kiln I just put a knife you know could not wait that I got back was a carbon mess. I just orderd some foil and I will go back to paragon and see what I can do. I also learned to spell KILN not kilm now i'm worried about my spelling. LOL. Jerry SEMPER FI
 
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