Plans for Salt Pots & Controller?

[Centaur]

I know this has been mulled over before. I did a search, and did not find any new info.

I'm thnking about getting back into knifemaking, and am considering gas powered salt pots. One high temp for normalizing and hardening, and one low temp for marquenching.

The pots themselves should be straight forward (stainless steel pipe tank for the salt container, iron pipe body with refractory wool insulation for the body.)

I've built and used forced air burners before (and survived with my eyebrows intact,) so that's not an issue. I'm mostly purplexed by the controller, thermocouple, and gas solenoid.

Does anyone have a few leads for detailed plans?

Thanks in advance.

 

[cooks 7]

not sure this is exactly what you want, but don fogg has some info on it, he uses a digitally controlled unit with a gas soleniod valve.
here is a link to his discription
http://www.dfoggknives.com/furnace.htm
and here is his salt pot page
http://www.dfoggknives.com/hightemp.htm
some good info to hopefully set you in the right direction

 

[Centaur]

Thanks for the reply.

I have seen Don Fogg's page before. He does mention the Watlow controller, and that Omega has an equivalent, and A K type thermocouple.

I'm still looking for a bit more detail. Manufacturers, part numbers, etc. I'm just not that knowledgable on thermocouples and soleniods.

BTW - he does incredible work!

 

[Sethhoward]

Don also mentions somewhere on his site the company called to get all the parts and info.


Seth

 

[John Frankl]

Check Ed Caffrey's site--www.caffreyknives.net--for some very good info on setting up a high temp salt pot.

John Frankl

 

[Centaur]

Check Ed Caffrey's site--www.caffreyknives.net--for some very good info on setting up a high temp salt pot.

John Frankl

Now that's a great lead. Good useful info. Thanks!

 

[Sweany]

http://www.mstarling.com/tool_plan_index.html

 

[Centaur]

Great info. Thanks!