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Built my own curing oven

ForceFed70

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I built this a couple of years ago. It's worked out very well. Figured some of you guys would be interested.

I started off with an old filing cabinet that I got from a metal recycler for $40. This would be the inner lining of the oven.

Here's a pic of the cabinet after I stripped everything out of it.
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ForceFed70

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I then framed the outside using steel 2x4 studs. I also installed some elements from an old household oven that I got for free.

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ForceFed70

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Insulated using fireproof insulation, wired it with high temp wire, and covered the outside with 1/4" cement "Hardy Backer" board.

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ForceFed70

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The cabinet didn't come with a 1 piece door, so I made one using 18ga sheetmetal and more steel studs.

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ForceFed70

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Here's a pic of the oven after a few heat cycles. The filing cabinet paint obviosly couldn't handle the heat. You'll notice the rope seal around the door, and the door with window (window also taken from old oven).

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ForceFed70

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I chose to buy a digital temperature controller and solid state relays from ebay instead of trying to reuse the old oven stuff. I like the accuracy of the digital controller along with the fact that it displays actual oven temperature.

Here's a pic of the electrical box. The heatsink is from an old P3 CPU and is used to cool the solid state relays.

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ForceFed70

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So far I am really happy with it.

Cost me about $300 total.
Inside dimensions are 1.5'x3'x3.5'
Takes about 15 minutes to heat up to 400*f (powdercoating temp)
Tested up to 700*F (for ceramic coatings)

Here's a pic of some of the turbo hotside piping that I ceramic coated.

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ForceFed70

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And finally:

Here's a pic of a 3G alternator case after I powdercoated. Flat colors are the hardest to do and I'm still learning, but it still turned out really well.

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reinhardt

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I built this a couple of years ago.

so.... where u located at? i could use some parts powdercoated, ya know, for a fellow board member :thumbup:

anywho, nice lookin home made oven. i like it. i chopped up a file cabinet case around that size and made a big drawer for my power tools mounted under my work bench. mine was free off the side of the road tho.
 
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ForceFed70

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so.... where u located at? i could use some parts powdercoated, ya know, for a fellow board member :thumbup:

anywho, nice lookin home made oven. i like it. i chopped up a file cabinet case around that size and made a big drawer for my power tools mounted under my work bench. mine was free off the side of the road tho.

Lol. Thanks, I'm up in BC Canada tho, and don't have the shop built (or even started) in the new house yet. Nowhere to plug it in :(
 

DIC

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I just used the old oven that came out of the house when it was replaced because it was the wrong color...............:thumbup:
 
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ForceFed70

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I just used the old oven that came out of the house when it was replaced because it was the wrong color...............:thumbup:

That's what I used at 1st as well. BUT, was tired of not being able to fit anything longer than 1.5ft and I wanted to be able to do ceramic coatings (700*).
 

tcianci

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Great oven! I too used an old kitchen oven and am limited in size (of the oven) :) But powder coating at home has been a fun activity and a great reason to keep a few cold ones on hand. ( kinda like the modern day equivalent of watching paint dry)
 
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Motown 454

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Good idea on useing the file cabinet. I had thought of useing a refridgerator but ended up with an oven from a friend. Same a DIC but my buddy had to pay for the new one. Haven't got to use it yet. The wife won't let me use it in the cellar. I'll have to wait fir the garage to get built.
 

99SVT

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yeah, I use a convection oven, myself, and I hate the limitations I have because of the size. It has worked well for most of the stuff I've done... and I have a friend that has made one out of an old refrigerator that will do bigger stuff. He did all the turbo piping and intake for his Lightning.
 

michel

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Did you put both elements on the bottom and no elements in the top?
This is cool I have modifyed an oven but like you said, it's too small
This is a good idea.
 
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ForceFed70

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Did you put both elements on the bottom and no elements in the top?
This is cool I have modifyed an oven but like you said, it's too small
This is a good idea.

Yes, I put both elements on the bottom. None up top. Heat rises and everything... Haven't noticed any hot/cold spots.
 
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dodge610

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I also do this on the side for myself , friends and customers i have an oven and a propane curing lamp for bigger parts works out very well love doing it and also puts tool money in my pocket on occasion have been doing this for the last five years.
 

v7guy

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interesting build, looks nice, I see a lot of this on the composite forums,how long did you keep the powder coat up to temp?
How did you reg temp?
What brand of powder coating did you use?
how was customer service?

Sorry for the barrage of questions, just looking to improve my personal op
 
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ForceFed70

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interesting build, looks nice, I see a lot of this on the composite forums,how long did you keep the powder coat up to temp?
How did you reg temp?
What brand of powder coating did you use?
how was customer service?

Sorry for the barrage of questions, just looking to improve my personal op

Not sure what you mean with the 1st question. I think you are asking how long it takes to get up to powdercoating temp. If so, The answer is approx 15min.

I bought a PID temperature controller off of ebay to regulate the temp. It came with a thermocouple. Cost about $50.

I have the caswell hobby gun. Customer service was fine I guess, didn't really interact with them, just ordered online and waited for it to show up. It works well, but I would buy their more expensive gun (higher voltage) next time. The hobby gun doesn't have enough voltage to do multiple coats. I have to spray 2nd coats with the part still hot or else the powder just falls off.
 

msahlm

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Hey, I realize this is an older thread but I would very much appreciate some help with building a similar oven. I'm building a smaller oven using a (smaller) metal filing cabinet (great minds think alike) and the elements from a large toaster oven. Mine is intended to bake gun parts for thermal coatings like KG Gun Kote with a temperature range of 100-400F (300-350F mainly) and I know that my plan will hit 450F using 110Volt, which I like over having to use 220V for something like you've built with the electric stove elements.

My question is about the electronic temperature controller, the solid state Relay, and the thermocoupler you purchased from Ebay. I love the idea, and they are in my price range. I've found these on Ebay, but electronics is not in the sweet-spot of my skill set. Could you explain more about your temperature control set up? IN laymans terms, why is the SS Relay important? Most of these tempcontrols are offered with a type K thermocoupler, seems to be the proper range, correct?

Many of these TC give a range for the voltage, not specific 220volt or 120volt, do I need a specific temp controller designed for (standard american 3 prong) 120 volt power supply, or would one of these controlers (typically using 220V) work for me.

any guidance in how to wire this would be greatly appreciated. I hope you guys still see this thread. Please help, I'm happy to post pics of my build here if it helps others.
 
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