Used Paragon Kiln for Heat Treat?

AddictedToGear

AddictedToGear

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Aug 28, 2013
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I found a used Paragon Kiln for $200. It is a A88 Electric Kiln with a Kiln Sitter. I do not know what a Kiln sitter is. I was wandering if this would be good for heat treating as I saw other people recommend or using kilns on the forum. I figured it would be more consistent, but cost a little more than a homemade paint can forge. I wanted to get everyone's opinions on whether it is a good deal and would be better than a forge for heat treating? It looks in ok shape for being used and the seller posted pics of a few chips it has, but nothing major.
Facts about it:
230 volts
25 amps
5750 watts
2300 degree max temp.

Also it looks like there is a dial that should adjust the temp.
 
I had one of those and it took FOREVER to come up to temp. I ended up tearing it apart and using the bricks, coils, and SS covering to build an appropriate oven.
 
Ceramics kiln. A kiln sitter is a device that allows for the insertation of a ceramic cone(cone shaped piece of clay that is designed to bend/melt at a predetermined tempeture)that, when it bends/melts at the predetermined tempeture, will shut the kiln off. If you look on the inside of the kiln, there should be a plug with two metal prongs on the bottom and one on the top - the top prong is lifted up, the cone is inserted. When the cone bends/melts, it allows the top prong to drop, interrupting the circuit and shutting off the kiln.
 
While you could use that kiln, it will be a very poor choice.
Ceramics kilns aren't made for HT, they are made for long slow soaks that end after a certain temperature is reached. You would need to build or buy a kiln controller, and then you would still have the wrong size and shape of kiln.
 
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