[cutthroatkid]

Hey I want to build a homemade powder coat oven,my father is a professional welder so he's gonna help build the frame&box I just want to know should I insulate&add a fan also how hard will it be to transfer the heating element&controls from a kitchen oven into my project?&Thanx in advance.

[61panhead]

Sounds like the making of a disaster to me...check your insurance coverage
JMO

[cutthroatkid]

I've looked allover the web&all kinds of people have done this.

[cboy]

Originally Posted by cutthroatkid

... should I insulate&add a fan also how hard will it be to transfer the heating element&controls from a kitchen oven into my project?

You have already been studying the home built ovens on the web so you are on the right track. I didn't build my own oven, but have done similar research to yours and intend to build my own in the future so I can coat larger pieces.

From what I've seen the insulation is VERY important...and the more the better. And from my own experience, I would say the fan is much less important, or not necessary at all unless you are getting into a quasi commercial operation.

Most of the home made units on the web will show how they mounted the coils and the controls. But if you are concerned about that, I've also seen some that use an entire "hot plate" type electric burner, which would require almost no wiring of your own. The other option I've seen done is to use a typical kitchen range and then build and insulated box which extends right out the front door of the oven. This configuration does have it's problems (uneven heat flow and difficulty loading your parts) but it has been done.

All in all I think you would be best off finding one of the better constructed home made units on the web and then following that example as closely as you can.

[timothale]

I have used commercial ovens to heat test components New they are expensive but most manufacturing is now done overseas. a lot of stuff now goes to auction or the the scrap yard. we had one with a 3 ft capacity. they had temp and timers for control .

[OneMoreTime]

keep an eye on commercial auctions as sometimes the commercial kitchen ovens come around and can be had for reasonable..

Sam

[cutthroatkid]

I'm looking allover just cant find any good detailed instructions.

[Arrowhead]

Lots of good info here:

http://forum.caswellplating.com/oven-building-forum/

[poncho62]

Friend of mine down the road is building one...using an old industrial oven.....is at least 3 ft wide and 5 ft tall.......ill hold pretty big pieces.

[nofenders32]

Originally Posted by cutthroatkid

I'm looking allover just cant find any good detailed instructions.

Try looking here, http://www.powderbuythepound.com/forum/

Lots of good info and powder coating supplies also.

Mike

[cutthroatkid]

Thanks,lots of good info!

[sewtrini@yahoo.com]

Originally Posted by cutthroatkid

Hey I want to build a homemade powder coat oven,my father is a professional welder so he's gonna help build the frame&box I just want to know should I insulate&add a fan also how hard will it be to transfer the heating element&controls from a kitchen oven into my project?&Thanx in advance.

i am also building a powder coat oven, buying my metal panels- onlinemetals.com much cheaper, yes it needs a fan and exaust a kitchen oven is good, but mine i will use wood burning and have it outside

[dinger]

Originally Posted by sewtrini@yahoo.com

i am also building a powder coat oven, buying my metal panels- onlinemetals.com much cheaper, yes it needs a fan and exaust a kitchen oven is good, but mine i will use wood burning and have it outside

Interesting concept, can you elaborate? What type of heating appliance you will use, container for the pieces to be P.C., heat transfer? I have access to old wood stoves at times, this intrigues me. Dan

[sewtrini@yahoo.com]

first building the box approx 36" x 48 " either cold roll or hot roll sheets w/ angle iron for frame. large holes on oppisite side for venting system , cover vents with maybe dryer vent metal parts. For thermometer using a oven thermoter buy one for 4.00 at walmrt. oppisite side lower bottom drill large holes for electic fan, I have old window fan w/ speed adjustments , i will also cover and make intake vents. bellow inside the the box will be where i can slide in the hot coals tray maybe 6" deep 12" x 12"


of coarse it will be insulated so the part im baking does not get direct heat, heat will come from sides lower and upper to sort off cause a convection effect. I also plan to put side rails for racks and a swivel hook an exuast vent to avoid high pressure problems. door piano hinged double walled with insulation approx 40 " and Coal door flip down approx 7 " I estimated cost around 300.00 when completed, time to complete approx 12 hours.

Considering the cost for a large oven thousands more this my best bet, i will send pics when complete and pics of my completed projects.

[gow589]

I am using a ceramic kiln as I type for powdercoating.

I originally set this kiln up for heat treating metal. I have yet to experiment with it for that but it is a natural for powdercoating. It is capable of holding temps to 2400 degrees.

Old ceramic kilns can be pretty cheap. You will want to look at the coils as old kilns often need replacement coils. It is not hard to replace them and they are not that expensive.

To control the circuit, I use a microprocessor circuit...which you could do too i you have any aptitude to electronics.

First I am not using a core microprocessor but a package system which is fairly basic in operation. I have been using what is called an OOPIC but they fell off the face of the earth over night. A very common replacement would be an Arduino.

I don't know if this is in the scope of what you can or want to do but it is how I approached it.

In the programing I pick climb rate fast or slow, peak temp, hold time. I am going to modify it to use two peak and hold times.

I have a 55g drum I am experimenting with. I put the part in the drum and spray it. I am thinking of a low volume fan/filter in the side to keep the airflow going through.

Pick my temp, pick my time, drop in the part.

It is real easy for assembly because I can turn on the kiln, sand blast a part, clean it, coat it, fire it and within an hour or so be putting the part back on the car.