pid controlled -shopping list

[hardingknives]

Does anyone have a budget parts list for a pid controller and valve? Wanting to make a small drum style heat treat forge with a ring or ribbon burner

Thanks Chad

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Chad,
Stop and think if the words budget and HT forge work well together.
While there is no need for excess expense, saving $50-70 on the parts that determine a good HT from a so-so one isn't good economics.

You need a PID with good accuracy. That is pretty much the standard today, and any of the suitable ones from Omega or Auber will work. You could save maybe $20 by going with Chinese from eBay ... but why?

You need a type K TC with 8 gauge leads, a terminal block for it, a ceramic tube sheath, and type K wire from the block to the PID - eBay or Omega/Auber will be close to the same here. Adding a type K plug and socket for the leads is a good idea.

You need a NC Propane or Natural Gas rated solenoid with a 0-30 PSI range. You can use a 0-15 PSI unit on blown burners. Don't try and save on using a solenoid rated for other gases. The propane rated solenoids will cost about $150 new, but some google-fu and searching may turn one up for as low as $50. As long as it is new, 1/4" to 1/2", and the right type, it doesn't matter where it comes from. If the price is good, get two to have a master shut off at the regulator in case of power failure.

The rest is valves and pipes. The only thing you want that is specific is for the needle valves to have good regulation. Some aren't much more than a gate valve as far as control goes.

 

[hardingknives]

Thanks Stacy! I wasn't looking for cheap parts but when I hit Omegas page I saw a lot of stuff over $500 and was hoping there were cheaper routes

 

[12345678910]

Chad,
Stop and think if the words budget and HT forge work well together.
While there is no need for excess expense, saving $50-70 on the parts that determine a good HT from a so-so one isn't good economics.

You need a PID with good accuracy. That is pretty much the standard today, and any of the suitable ones from Omega or Auber will work. You could save maybe $20 by going with Chinese from eBay ... but why?

Auber is a reliable supplier, but Auber is definately a budget model compared to Omega

I believe that quality is similar, if not Identical, but you pay a couple or a few hundred more to Omega to support their engineering and tech support service.


I agree with the same idea on VFD's buy where you can get support.

I've purchased a few things Ebay china direct, but for $5 adapters or cables.
Low risk.

 

[grumpy_grinder]

The older ones from omega are just as good I have 3 or 4 older ones from omega sitting on a shelf in my basement and yes ... I'm a horder. See if you can't find an older at a fraction of the price. We still use them at work on the drying kilns ... Concentrate quality is big ... We're running a multi billion dollar operation and we still rely on some of the older gear. There's something to be said about the older stuff. A lot of new stuff is just a marketing hype. We have an engineering firm that talked us into an electronic smart overload .... Talk about a waste of time and money ....

 

[grumpy_grinder]

I'll snap a pic of them if I think of it. Or I can give you the model number if you're interested. I think they only have have 2 contacts on them though which should still be A1. XIO and XIC