Paragon furnace

[cramnhoj]

Anybody here uses the Paragon Q-11-A electric furnace in knife making? I was thinking of getting a gas forge but thought I should look into electric ones as well. I saw the paragon one from Bob Terzoula's knifemaking book and looked into it. I've heard electric forges use up a lot of electricity, but this one consumes 1440watts at 120volts 12amps, that doesn't sound too much to me? Also, what problems would I encounter with electric forges in general and with this one in specific? And if anyone has another brand/model to recommend I'd like to hear it.

Thanks.

 

[Don Hanson III]

Electric furnace's are good for heat treating blades but are no good for forging blades. They are way to slow to bring the blade back up to heat after forging each time and a blade is in and out of the heat many times while forging to shape. Also when you open the door to an electric furnace the temp falls way down and again it take awhile for it to come back up to heat.
Get o good gas forge for forging and use the electric for heat treating.
BTW, a gas forge will cost less to buy and I think will be less to run.

My .02 , Don Hanson lll

 

[cramnhoj]

I see, thanks.