got some questions (dont we all)

[outcastzeroone]

So Im planning to build a new oven. Right now what I am useing is a Krups 6 slice digitaly controled toaster oven. It worked great for the small RC Car parts I was doing but I want to do some things for my car (valve cover, suspention arms, etc.)

Im figureing on a 24" X 30" x 12" oven should be big enough for all I want to do. My original plan was to simply take the parts from the Krups oven I have and useing them in the new oven. I know I will need to get a larger set of heating elements and posibly a larger power supply (curently 1600w).

Id prefer to keep this at 120v for ease of moving it around should I need to move it. I was just wondering if anyone has a good source for heating elements and power supplies for what I may need. Im a total newb at making an oven and want to make sure I do this right so I dont burn the house down.

[CarWiz]

You're pretty much at the limit of most "house" wiring on 120v circuits. Some appliance circuits may be wired for 20A (2400w) or for 30A (3600w) on special service circuits but NEVER simply change the circuit breaker to increase capacity. The breaker is there to protect the wiring. The size of the wiring determines the load capacity not the breaker.

It will take longer to heat up but you could use the heater coil(s) you have. A longer heat up time is not always a bad thing. The item surface to be coated must reach temperature for a good bond. Flash heating to melt the PC doesn't provide a good bond.

[outcastzeroone]

so, for example if i was to get one of those cheap heaters with the longer rods that would be ok?

[CarWiz]

I've seen many old toaster ovens in the scrap yard near me. The one I picked up a few years ago for small items has four elements that run on 120v--Two on top and two on bottom. I think I paid less than $1 for it (priced by weight). One of the plastic legs was broken so someone pitched it. Other than that, it was in perfect working condition. These also show up in garage sales and flea markets.

The rod heater type are the easiest to convert or use for parts but even the wire and ribbon elements can be used if they are modular. Your concern will be to stay under the load capacity of the circuit(s) you intend to use. Most home and garage circuits are 120v/15A so you are limited to 1800w MAXIMUM for those. I'd stay around 1500-1600 watts. Let that and logistics of your oven determine if a particular heating coil(s) will work or not.

[outcastzeroone]

I found this

http://www.shellab.com/store/product.php?productid=1043

Now the oven I curently have like I said is a krups. It is a total of 1600w. It has 6 elements. 3 on top, 3 on the bottom and it will alternate between powering the top and bottom for a more even heat.

what I am most worried about is that I may over heat one area in the new oven and not heat up the other parts enough and end up with an uneven heating. the elements in the Krups are 3/8" thick (quartz covered rods) and only 11 3/4" long. With that coiled one I found I hope I could snake it around the top and a second on the bottom to make sure I get an even heat all over the oven. Some of the parts I plan to coat will be fairly close to the limits of the new oven I am making so I want to make sure it comes out ok. I havent ordered anything yet, just reaserching parts and such.

[fl70]

Originally Posted by outcastzeroone

I found this

http://www.shellab.com/store/product.php?productid=1043

Now the oven I curently have like I said is a krups. It is a total of 1600w. It has 6 elements. 3 on top, 3 on the bottom and it will alternate between powering the top and bottom for a more even heat.

what I am most worried about is that I may over heat one area in the new oven and not heat up the other parts enough and end up with an uneven heating. the elements in the Krups are 3/8" thick (quartz covered rods) and only 11 3/4" long. With that coiled one I found I hope I could snake it around the top and a second on the bottom to make sure I get an even heat all over the oven. Some of the parts I plan to coat will be fairly close to the limits of the new oven I am making so I want to make sure it comes out ok. I havent ordered anything yet, just reaserching parts and such.

For the coiled one you linked to, you would have to have ceramic standoffs and whatnot so it does not come in conact with the oven box or it will short out.
Why not utilize the six you have from the Krups and put them in the oven box you plan to build. They should work well, a toaster oven can hit 500* easy and it's not insulated. The size box you want to build, insulated could easily hold the heat. The HF benchtop oven is an 18" cube I think it only has 2 500w elements in it.

[outcastzeroone]

you dont think that the 3 short elements would over back the area right over them? the oven will be over 3' long by 2' deep and the elements are 11 3/4" long. I know i would need the ceramic holders for the coil i posted, i just didnt mention that. kinda figured it was a given :P I just want to make sure that i dont over bake part of my parts and kill them. some of the parts will just barely squeze into this oven. I cant justify making it larger since there are only about 3 parts i will be doing but lots of little ones.

And since you mentioned it, anyone know of a good source for insulation and wire to hook up the elements?

[fl70]

Originally Posted by outcastzeroone

you dont think that the 3 short elements would over back the area right over them?Built the elements into the sides, if necessary.
the oven will be over 3' long by 2' deep and the elements are 11 3/4" long.
I know i would need the ceramic holders for the coil i posted, i just didnt mention that. kinda figured it was a givenNot a given, because someone, somewhere will read it and assume they can screw the element to the box. Most coils (dryers, etc) require air over them.
I just want to make sure that i dont over bake part of my parts and kill them. some of the parts will just barely squeze into this oven.That will cause it's own problems, requires a bigger over.
I cant justify making it larger since there are only about 3 parts i will be doing but lots of little ones.Make a temporary expansion.
And since you mentioned it, anyone know of a good source for insulation and wire to hook up the elements?3-1/2" household for 3-1/2" walls, 2" rockwool for 2-1/2" walls, if the wiring is not in the heat, standard wire.

Is this going to be a toploader?
How are you going to load it?

[outcastzeroone]

no, a side loader (like a normal bakeing oven). but im thinking of making it so I can stand it on its side for some of the larger parts.

[outcastzeroone]

stupid question but has any one ever tried to use an old filing cabinet? The ones we have at work are about the dimentions I am looking for. just wondering if you think it would work. Id have to make a second layer over it but half my battle would be over.