Heat Treat set up...

[Doug Campbell]

Thought I'd show what I'd come up with to control temperature and the atmosphere in my forge. This is just a simple NC Forge Whisper three burner atmospheric forge. I wanted to know and be able to control the temp in my forge more accurately so a few years ago I purchased this digital pyrometer/thermocouple. It worked so well I bought another thermocouple and wired the two thru a three way toggle switch so I could switch from one thermocouple to the other. One is permanently installed in the forge the other is mobile so I can stick it into the pipe I use for heating my blades during heat treat.

OK here a few pics.
Inside of the forge with a piece of 2"ID stainless tubing, you can see the thermocouple in the top of the forge. When you buy your components you can get a ceramic tube to protect the probe from the nasty environment in the forge, I'd recommend it.    

This is how I drilled the forge wall and installed the probe and the back of the Pyrometer.  

Looking from the front, dip tank on the left, she'll hold just over five gallons of quenchant.    

Another front view with the thermocouple stuck in the heat treat tube. When I put a blade in the tube I put a small piece of ceramic wool in the opening to close the tube off. This makes it easier to control the heat and also helps with the inert environment inside the tube. I just turn the gas off and on to control the temp; it's pretty easy to keep in within a 25ish degree temp range, essential with some steels. That's a strong magnet stuck on the right, nice to have real handy like that...  

Here you can see the inside of the HT tube I welded a couple uprights to hold the blades straight and off the wall of the tube. You can see a piece of angle I welded on top of the pipe also; this protects it from the burners which inter from the top on this forge.  

Post heat treated and quenched blade, since I've added the HT tube and went to the Parks quench ant my blades come out clean, straight and hard.    

Hope this answers a question or two... Thanks for looking.

[Doug Campbell]

Forgot to say that I think the initial Digital Pyrometer/thermocouple setup was around $130... Found it on the big auction site but there are several places to find this stuff. Ceramic kiln supply houses are probably some of the best.

[Steve Nuckels]

Thanks Doug!  I have missed seeing your posts recently!

Hope you had a great elk season!

Steve
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ABS Apprentice
Potomac Forge
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IN GOD WE TRUST

[Kevin Evans]

Thanks Doug,been needed some ideas like that.  

[tippit]

Doug,
What do they say about how much pictures are worth     This will definately be added. My forge should be up and running right after the first of the year.  Getting itchy fingers instead of burnt one!

Thanks & Merry Christmas...Doc

[kbaknife]

Thanks for helping us out, Doug.
That helps a lot.
I've been putting together a shopping list for just this application.
We were starting to think you didn't like us any more.

[tomh]

Nice Doug. That parks is great. I was amazed how clean the blades come out when I tried it at Ed's. Where do you get yours at?

Merry Christmas!

[Doug Campbell]

No way Karl, I love you guys...  :D  Just not enough hours in the day, course now hunting season is over for the most part so you'll move a little higher on the list.      

Glad it helped, being able to control/know temps is a big plus!

Steve, elk season was pretty tough till we ran the durned wolves out of the area.

Tom, can't remember if you told me already but where are you at in MT now?

If I can answer any ?s just holler...

Merry Christmas to All!!

[Doug Campbell]

Here's a little better pic of my dip tank, I welded it up out of 10ga mild steel. Maybe you don't need two thermometers, I was convinced the old one was bad so picked up the second and it reads the same...     You can also see the depth regulater I made in the oil for differential heat treating of blades. And finally, it's sitting on my old fish cooker for heating the oil to whatever temp I want, a must when it's sub zero temps in the barn...  
   

[drewsbow]

Nice Doug, very good info . What temp is your oil heated to for 5160 ? Drew

[Doug Campbell]

Geverally in the neighborhood of 125º Drew.

[tomh]

Doug we are in Great Falls, give me a shout if you get up this way. Maybe I will see you at Josh's this year.

[drewsbow]

thanks Doug