Paragon Kiln

T

Terry Bates

Joined
Aug 1, 2017
Messages
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Heya folks,

This is my very first time posting on any forum of any kind. If I did something wrong or this is in the wrong place, I apologize

So I just got me a Paragon TNF E 14 kiln for 500 bucks. Before I bought it I looked it up and thought that since the model is still being made it wasn't very old. I thought the price was good so I grabbed it. Getting it home I realized the controller is a DTC 800 which appears to be over a decade old. The kiln seems to be in good shape thoug. No cracks in the fire bricks or mortar. So, here are my questions.

This kiln is 13 inches wide, by 13.5 inches deep by 8 inches tall. This is a bit larger volume than most dedicated knife heat treating ovens I have seen.

Does anyone have any experience with this model or that controller?

Anything I should worry about or take in to consideration before I try my first heat treatment with it?

Are the electricity costs going to cause my wife to murder me in my sleep?
 
I can't say much about paragon specifics, but my evenheat is substantially larger than that, and power consumption is minimal. Running a kitchen oven or electric clothes dryer will draw far more power
 
I think it's fine. If it's a top loader, it will loose a good bit of heat opening it, and opening it to put knives in/ out should be done with caution. I wouldn't worry about cost to run, the cost is suprisingly low. On a side note,

If you are new to knife making, your wife will have plenty of reasons to kill you in your sleep. I wouldn't sweat this one.
 
That model is a medium size pottery/jewelry/enameling kiln. It will work fine for small to medium size knives. The controller was designed for firing ceramic glazes, but if programmed in the ramp/hold mode it will work fine for knives. The kiln is "rated" to 2000°F, but it is more practical in the 1700°F and lower range. This is prefect for carbon steels. Stainless can be done at 1900°F, but it will likely take a good while to get to that temp.
 
Kevin McGovern said:
I think it's fine. If it's a top loader, it will loose a good bit of heat opening it, and opening it to put knives in/ out should be done with caution. I wouldn't worry about cost to run, the cost is suprisingly low. On a side note,

If you are new to knife making, your wife will have plenty of reasons to kill you in your sleep. I wouldn't sweat this one.
Click to expand...
Best post on the forum I've seen so,far LOL
 
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