Thread: small heat treatment oven

Originally Posted by .RC.

Anyone ever made a small heat treatment oven for things like case hardening and hardening and tempering small items...

I often see kilns go on ebay of a suitable size but they are always in NSW or Victoria, a long way away from me...

So I was thinking about making one, but am unsure of how to go about it....I know the actual components like firebrick and refractory cement is easy to buy but the actual heating elements is another matter.,..

Have a look around the web there's a few sites out there.
Here's an interesting one
Forge and Burner Design Page #1

Sorry, I meant an electric furnace so it can be temperature controlled..

RC, the electric muffle unit with the element embedded, around 6 by 10 by 10 inches or so is about $400. There is at least 1 supplier here in Perth that sells such. The controller and main relay and micro switch (for door) don't know the price, but should get the electronic controller type that lets the unit ramp up and down with hold time at top temp. Other items such as Ka wool etc readily available. Liability issues maybe a concern for a home made unit which others may use, unless cleared by a sparky. Alan.

Hi Alan, do you have a link to the Perth supplier???

Does not seem to be much on google as far as suppliers go...A couple in Melbourne but that is about it..

RC, try Modutemp in Midvale WA. PM sent with some other info. Alan.

Hi RC,

If you want to make your own, this guy has the Kanthal heater elements TC's and PID controllers,

eBay Seller: aakilns1: Crafts items on eBay Australia

Regards
Ray

If the $400.00 one suits you grab one you will never build one for that, the bricks alone will cost $200, make sure it will get up to to the temp you require some muffle furnce's will not
I discovered this years ago when I built a heat treatment furnace

Mate if you saw how many heater elements we threw out you'd probably cry! Problem is they get thrown out for going low meg so won't work. If you have a lathe it is a piece of to make your own element spirals. If you know how many watts you want, how long you want then send me a message and I'll get the rest of the winding specs for you if you like.

Thanks Ben, I will look into it and get back to you...

Hi RC,
There is an add in the Home shop machinest for heat treating ovens. I thought it might interest you.
Heat Treating Furnaces
Dave

Thanks Dave....My first quote for an oven 200X200X300 deep was $5500... eeeeeekkkkkkk

I have bought refractory cement from this business before high temperature environment, installation, trm, refractory, gunning, casting ,refractory brickwork, ceramic fibre

And have come across an informative thread here Heat Treat Oven, homemade one-off - Practical Machinist - Largest Manufacturing Technology Forum on the Web

I thought they would be expensive to buy (isn't every thing in this hobby), just thought you may get some ideas from them.
Dave

I just wasn't expecting them to be "that" expensive... What is it with manufacturing in this country that is so expensive???

I priced a locally made arbor press a couple of weeks ago.... A two tonne model was $1700... A chinese import is $150 or so..