poor man's molten salt bath...

S

SkaerE

Joined
Sep 9, 2001
Messages
428
do you need to have a temp controller (from what i understand, the expensive part), or can you build the forge/salt bath and dip the blade in and keep checking it with a magnet periodically (as you would do in a forge) until it reaches critical.

would this just be a bigger pain in the ass? i know one of the benefits is being able to change the temp easily/accurately but the other benefits are worth it too i think.

of course, i could try to find a good deal on a controller, what kind would i use?

thanks
 
You can check it with a magnet. I use a hand held pyrometer at this point. Use a test piece of steel on a wire and keep checking it for nonmagnetic. When it reaches the correct temp just put in the real blade. I find that my salts are cold at the bottom. I need to lower the flame or raise the pot.
 
eBay has some good deals on temp controllers. All you would need is a basic on/off controller. Nothing fancy. I just got one off of eBay that has ramp/soak and all the bells and whistles for $113. I have a simple on/off on my HT Oven so I will use the new one on the HT oven and the on off on the salt pot.

You will also need a solenoid valve to turn the gas on and off. The temp controller would be controling the valve, whick in turn controls the heat.

I might do what you are talking about just to get things off the ground. It will most likely be a while before I get the valve, wiring, plumbing, etc done.

Hope this helps.
 
Loredo,

What search words or phrases can we use to find the controllers on Ebay.

Roger
 
Here is what I put in for a search:

temp* control*

The * acts as a wild card and will return any auction with those root words in the title. Helps to take into account for mispellings, any any variations on controller (ie; controls, controller, controler, etc)

If you want to find a controller with ramp/soak type in:

temp* control* ramp soak

and click the little box that says "search titles and descriptions"

That should get you on your way.
 
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