paragon kiln question

SDS

SDS

Joined
Oct 22, 2007
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I just had a friend give me a Paragon model LT3K kiln. It is used in fair condition. I have never done any heat treating and am a ways out from trying it but it was a generous gift so I accepted. My question is this, is this particular kiln useable for heat treating knives or should I just save up for a different kiln? This one looks like a ceramics kiln and to be honest I don't even know the heat ranges on it yet. I have been told it will heat to around 2500 but I don't know this for fact. I'm printing off the instruction manual for this model right now.

Thanks for any advice.

SDS
 
If it will get to 1500-1600F it should work for simple steels. If you plan to work fancy stainless stuff, you may need to go as high as 2100-2150 You may have to get a little creative in how you hold your blades if it loads from the top, but there are folks using top-load kilns for heat treating and it works just fine.

-d
 
I use a top-load Paragon pottery kiln. Max temp 1700F. Like deker said, it works well for simple steels, O-1, etc. Don't be afraid to contact Paragon and ask them about that model. They should have the specs. -Matt-
 
Yeah and your not super far away from where they make them if I am correct so getting new elements and stuff should be better. If the one who gave it to you bought it locally you can get parts and service there. I wanted a paragon knifemaker's furnace. I thought about getting it from Jantz supply, but then they are pretty far away when it comes time for parts and service. A lesson I have learned to my regret with the grinder I bought. I am thinking I will get my furnace from a Paragon dealer in SLC and maybe I can get the local industrial supply to stock a belt grinder that I can use. In any case I have seen lots of ceramic kilns used to heat treat knives and I would say you are a lucky guy:D ----Joe
 
I printed off the owners manual for this kiln and from a VERY brief review of it I think the top temp on this one is going to be 2350. So far I've been using ATS34 but would like to use D2. I'll have to do some checking to find out what I can do with this.

I really wasn't prepared to get into the heat treating side of this for awhile but who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth?

This was one of those deals where a friends cousin got 3 of these in some kind of horse trade and only needed one so he gave one to my friend who gave it to me. I'm just glad to have it.

Thanks for the information guys.
 
I started using a old kiln. I put my own thermocouple in it and then added a PID and an ssr to control it before I made my own oven. What I did to use it was cut a 3" round hole in the lid and the suspend the blades on wire with a fire brick over the hole. Then I could just pick up the wire and dunk it in quench oil when it was ready. Worked fine. Jim
 
And when you get a little farther down the heat treat trail, you can drop a stainless steel salt pot tube (available from Darren ellis) in the to hole, and convert it into a great salt pot for either austenitizing or for salt tempering.
Stacy
 
I obviously have a lot of reading/studying to do before I try this.
 
I wish i would have bought a paragon, instead i purchased a even heat they are not that well built? You should not have any problems doing your ht wit a top loader.

Spencer
 
Thanks. I sure wasn't going to turn it down when he offered it to me. Like I said, I had intended to wait until later on to learn the heat treat side of this but this will spur me a little bit.
 
The Paragon Model LT3K Kiln will work fine. All you need is the information on how to heat treat the steel that you will be using. Read books on it and if you can get some DVD'S on it as well.

Also, if you know someone who is a knife maker who heat treats ask and see if you can come over and see how it is done. That all I can how at this time.

And by the way. Welcome to BladeForums. Have a Merry Christmas and New Year ---------:thumbup::)
 
SAR said:
I wish i would have bought a paragon, instead i purchased a even heat they are not that well built?
Spencer
Click to expand...

I use a Even Heat and this one works great. I love it and it works hard for me. Say a pray tonight and you may get your wish. :D:)
 
I will definitely do some reading (just got in the free heat treat book someone on here posted about) and also ask some local makers I know. Unfortunately a very good friend and sort of a mentor to me passed away last month and he was who I got most of my information from. He forgot more than I'll ever learn about knifemaking.

Thanks again for the information.
 
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