Oven using metal studs and aluminum

[Popeye]

That looks really good Steve!
I don't think there's any advantage in having the oven heat up quicker. You've GOT to let the base metal come up to temperature anyway.. Heat up to quick and you have the powder frying while you wait for the part to come up to temp.. that's not good.
Besides, you're paying for watts, bigger element might heat up quicker but the operating cost is the same.

Merry Christmas!!

[sdold]

Thanks! Oh, and one other advantage to this thing: It's super lightweight. I can singlehandedly tip it on its end. I might even put some castors on one end, making it able to be used in the top-loading or side-loading configuration, like a refrigerator. The heating elements would be on the back wall then.

Merry Christmas to you too! And to everyone else here. I wouldn't have attempted this crazy project if not for this forum.

Steve

[sdold]

There's a possible danger with this oven that I thought I'd mention. I have been noticing some smoke and an odd smell coming from the oven, and have tested the insulation and found that it is not the source. The only other parts are aluminum alloy, some zinc which isn't turning a different color, the heating elements, and the rivets.

The only thing that shows any sign of burning are the rivets. The finish is bubbling and turning white, not a problem structurally but I think the plating might be cadmium. If it is, it could be toxic. Well, it most certainly would be toxic.

So, for a while at least, this oven may have to be used outdoors. I did feel kind of sick yesterday after using it, but it also happened after breathing some mold and eating a weird caffeinated mint that someone gave me.

Anyway, I thought I'd pass that along. Now I am off to do a google search for cadmium poisoning.

[Popeye]

Steve,
Do you have an air inlet and a vent on the oven? When powder cures it smokes and stinks... it has to be vented!
IMHO

"Oven exhaust must be suitably sized to remove the gases that are a
natural by-product of the cure process."

[sdold]

No, I don't have a vent, but I will add an opening toward the bottom, and near the top. Any idea how big the holes should be? I can make them a little oversize and then make a device to restrict them as necessary.

[Popeye]

I'd do like a 5" on both, you can add dampers like you said to control the volume. Make sure to run the vent outdoors... if going through a combustible wall make sure to use "B" type vent pipe and maintain 1" clearance.

[ssomustang50]

sdold u have a pm

[chromo]

ssomustang50,

You realize this thread was almost 2 years old right?

Like 12/27/07 or so

Maybe you'll still get a reply to your PM if sdold is still here?

[sdold]

Thanks, I'll go look. By the way the oven is still going strong after a couple of years. I had to add aluminum panels to shield the elements from the parts, they were heating the part with IR too much, instead of air temp. Some parts were 50 degrees hotter than the air temp!

[ssomustang50]

pm sent back & email sent,i didnt know how old this was,but i needed help so i gave it a try & got a reply so thanx