Reinforcement Needed??

[csdisme]

I am debating whether or not to add a trolley to my oven. For those that have, what sort of reinforcement did you add to support the added weight of the trolley?

I am also wondering about the strength of the top panel as some things that will be hanging from from there could be quite heavy. Did anyone add any reinforcement even if you didn't install a trolley system? If so, what did you use and how did you install it?

Thanks in advance for your help and ideas.

[AntaresArms]

I am also at this point in my build and interested in this exact thing. Also adding hinges to my door and reinforcement needed for this. My door is HEAVY.

[Zigeuner]

My oven is 2' X 3' X 6'. I built a set of 1-1/4" rails for an upper and lower trolley. The rails run full length inside (6'). The upper trolley is aluminum angle with alloy wheels and the lower trolley is steel angle and is somewhat larger also with alloy wheels. There are cross braces fitted with 3/8-16 square nuts welded on to hold brackets and fixtures to hold parts.

I haven't tested the rails for weight capacity but I'd have to guess that the upper one could easily take 100 # and the lower one probably double that. The oven will be used for anything up to a motorcycle frame. I won't be doing anything heavier than that. The largest item so far has been a 32" riding mower deck on the upper trolley. I would estimate that at 30 # and it handled it nicely.

The rails are secured on each end and in the center with 1/4" steel brackets bolted through the top and bottom with 3/8-16 square nuts welded to nut plates. Here are pictures. Hope this helps.

Upper trolley.



Lower trolley

[AntaresArms]

Zigeuner this is great. Thanks for showing your nice oven and trolley system. I was thinking of something similar for the bottom of my oven and then some bars and adjustable brackets for the top.

What are those 2 handles for in between the lights? Is that a vent or blower on the ceiling? Would you mind taking a picture of that and any ducting as well?

Thanks

[csdisme]

Thanks for the pictures and information. How large are the "nut plates", and how did you position them? My biggest concern is that I position my supports so that the steel studs will be able to handle the weight of the the trolley and the part I am PC'ing.

[planebuilder]

Zigeuner:
Are those things with the wire clips over them lights? If so, what kind, where from?
Thanks

[Zigeuner]

Zigeuner this is great. Thanks for showing your nice oven and trolley system. I was thinking of something similar for the bottom of my oven and then some bars and adjustable brackets for the top.

What are those 2 handles for in between the lights? Is that a vent or blower on the ceiling? Would you mind taking a picture of that and any ducting as well?

Thanks

Hello,

The metal unit inbetween the light on the left inside wall is some 1/8" by 1" strap metal that I fashioned to cover the thermocouple from the oven thermostate unit in the control box outside. It was close to where the trolley runs and I ddin't want to hit it so I covered it up. It works very well.

The things you see on the ceiling are two standard oven windows. They are heat-resistant glass with double panes. I got them used at a a used appliance repair shop. They are 8" X 18, IIRC. They drop in and the heat will vent around them. There are no vents, blowers or ducts. I haven't needed them. The simpler the better for me. I have an oven thermometer inside one of them for an extra check on heat. I will also pickup an IR thermometer soon.

[Zigeuner]

Thanks for the pictures and information. How large are the "nut plates", and how did you position them? My biggest concern is that I position my supports so that the steel studs will be able to handle the weight of the the trolley and the part I am PC'ing.

The trolley rails are 6' long and run full length inside of the oven. They are 1-1/4" X 1-1/4" 1/8" angle steel. They are supported on 1/4" brackets that are bolted through the top of the oven. I use 3/8-16 square nuts throughout because they can easily be tack welded to steel brackets.

The oven sides bottom and top are held together with 3/8" bolts that run through the sides from the outside. There are 1/2" OD-3/8" ID tubes brazed through the panels to buck the bolts and keep the sides from collapsing when the bolts are tightened up. The bolts thread into nut plates that are 3" llong made from 1/8" X 1" strap metal with a 3/8-16" nut tack welded in the center to take the bolt. The nut plates are tack welded (MIG) to the frame inside. That way, if I want to comlpetely disassemble the oven, it will knock down with a wrench.

Two 1-1/4" rails with metal wheels will easily take 100# on the top and more than that on the bolttom trolley. I won't ever be doing anything that heavy....I hope...LOL.

Once you get the sides on, the panels are incredibly strong. I used 20 ga. Sheet metal on inside and out with 1/8" steel snap rivets (500 or so, LOL) to hold everything together.

Here's a picture of the bare frame. It took me a long time to build this oven because I got sick and spent the better part of two years getting well but all good now. The picture was taken a couple of years ago when I got back from the hospital. Every day out of the hospital is a joy!

The frame was built from 16 ga. 2" X 2" X 2" channels that I had a friend make for me at a sheel metal shop. They are incredibly strong when welded together with the sides installed. I used rockwool insulation but you could also use fiberglass. Rock wool won't make you itch like fiberglass and it doesn't cost that much. I got a whole bale for $40 and had some batts left over.

I intend to upgrade to PID and SSR with K unit eventually but right now, it's working. I hope this helps.

[Zigeuner]

Zigeuner:
Are those things with the wire clips over them lights? If so, what kind, where from?
Thanks

Hello,

The units with clips are standard oven lights. The have a metal receptable, a porcelain socket, a high temperature bulb and a high temperature resistant glass cup held in with a metal spring cliip. I couldn't locate used ones so I ordered these special from an appliance parts shop. They were about $15 each for all of the parts but well worth it. I turn them on to examine the progress of the powder when I'm heating parts to PC. With the windows and lights, it's easy to see inside.

If you look inside of your oven at home, you'll see one of these light units. They are standard for all ovens.

I also used heat-resistant 12 ga. oven wire on the lights and elements below but actually none of the wiring is exposed to any heat since the elements and lights go through the walls and the wires are on the outside. Can't be too careful.

Good luck on your oven!

[AntaresArms]

Can you provide a link or name of the shop that you got the lights from? I did some searches and only found bulbs etc and a few high priced units.