Just for the benefit of those who might want to do it, a low temperature salt pot ( only a bladesmith/blacksmith would call 400-500F low temp) is fairly easy to make and doesn't take much space. It can be stored out of the way easily if you mount it on a modified rolling welders cart from HF.
The salt pot can be something really simple, like a hot plate with a 12"-16" cylinder of tempering salts ( not table salt) siting on the element. A thermocouple in the salt reads the temp. A PID controller, just like you would use for a toaster oven of forge, can control the temperature, or you can just monitor and adjust the temp manually.
If you build an insulated cylinder ,and put the salt tube down the center, all you need to add is a heat source. It can be electric coils, or a flame from a burner. A small blown burner with a pilot or a two-stage burner will do well. A PID control does the rest. This is made like a vertical forge, and indeed can be a vertical forge with a removable tube.
A pottery kiln can be easily converted as the heat source, with the tube running through a hole cut in the top. It is always a good idea to make it PID controlled, but even an old manual kiln will usually idle at 400-500F on its lowest setting.
The tube can be any thick walled steel pipe, with a properly welded base cap. Stainless steel is good, but not required for a low temp tube. Capped up tightly after cooling, the salts just stay in the tube.
The same basic setups can be used to make high temp austenitizing salt pots, but they are a much more sophisticated tool, and not for those who aren't trained and experienced.
Stacy
I'm not quite at the point I need to, but I will be soon! I might be able to fit it in top corner to bottom opposite corner, but it sure seems like if there are any variations in temperature, that way is sure to find 'em
Thanks in advance for any ideas:thumbup:
