Heat Treating Ovens

[Digger]

Hi Y'all,

I'm saving for a heat treating oven, and I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions or comments?  Brands?  Any advice on what to set it on and how much clearance around it?

Thanks,
Digger

[jefff]

oven and quench tank w/hinged lid so can slam it shut when catches on fire need to away from anything flammable,floors walls roof and stuff in cardboard boxes.what kind of oven are you looking at?

[Digger]

oven and quench tank w/hinged lid so can slam it shut when catches on fire need to away from anything flammable,floors walls roof and stuff in cardboard boxes.what kind of oven are you looking at?

I have some sites for Even-Heat and Paragon, a couple that look like they may be individuals making them, and a couple of DIY.  I'd like to stay in the $1000 -$1500 range, but as always the temptation is, for just $100 more I can get ....

From what I'm reading burning out the coils and/or controller seems to be an issue, which is kinda what I was inquiring about.  Where to put it is going to be a problem then, since my workshop is attached to the house.  Would one need so much weatherproofing that I couldn't make some kind of shed outside for it?

My aunt has a doll-making kiln she might be willing to let go of at a good price.  Would it work for knives?

[Cliff Fendley]

Whether it will work on knives would depend on what steel you plan to use. It will need to go to the 1450-1550 range for most carbon steels. For the high carbon stainless steels you'll need to be in the 1850-1950 range and need to be able to hold it at an accurate temperature for a set amount of time.

I use a Paragon and have a couple friends that use Paragon ovens as well. I know many knifemakers that use Paragon and Even Heat ovens and don't hear complaints about either.

Paragon offers some small ovens just for knifemaking, the smallest one even operates on 110.

[Big T]

I have a paragon now for 9 years an Not a problem 1 with it , I keep it blowed out when I get ready to use it especialy , Sand an dust kills the elements if you dont keep em clean , Mine is digital controlled with 4 programs memory ,I have heatreated hundreds of knives in it without a hitch , they are well worth the money to get one if you plan on making alot of stuff , before i had one i used a fire brick with a propane tortch in the bottom of it wiht a 1.5 in hole thru the center for the fire to turn in , I also had a digital thermomiter in it for reference on temp but it was a hands on deal , t

[GunClick Rick]

I'm looking for one to mel silver and gold. A friend needs one..