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what is a good size powder coat oven?

dogdog

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I am using a old toaster for smaller parts now, it comes out ok... I have to modify it and sit it side ways to get some parts in... so the the best, but it works for home...

Just the other day, I was at bjs and saw their electric smoker that was on sale (not any more) well .... it looks like a decent size.. but of cause for $99, it would be cheaper than me trying to scavenge for metal to build one... I was in the process of cause...

It's about 36" in vertical but about 36" inside, and about 12" or 18" width... .... No experiences at what size is good, I am not worry about the controls etc... just the size... any options? No, I don't know what I will be powder coating, just want a decent size to cover most of the stuff. keyword , home use, not commercial...


this one...

https://www.bjs.com/product/masterbuilt-electric-smoker---black/3000000000001164100

https://www.bjs.com/product/char-broil-electric-vertical-smoker/3000000000001184594
 
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Showkey

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Not to be a wise ***....but the oven needs to a little bigger than the parts for Your future projects.
The smoker other than using the cabinet would not heat to the desired temps......so a complete rework would be needed. After the rework the $100 is not that cheap.

I have seen a standard metal trash can made into an oven. 220 volt Oven element in the bottom, oven thermostat to control temps. The trash can did not even need to insulated.
Would heat to 500* with no problems. While the can got hot the area around the can was not overly hot ........as the “can oven” would make a poor space heater. But perfect for large heating parts like rims, exhaust manifolds etc. One design was two trash cans one facing up other facing down gave a 5’ height 24” diameter. Hanging the parts inside the cans.

Obvious design precautions are needed for grounding, properly wired, insulation off the floor and ventilation during use are required.

The other obvious choice is an old electric oven can be had for almost nothing. Plug and play ready to use.
 
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dogdog

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good idea on the trash can.... any pic of the build?
I have electric elements from duct heaters 3 elements of 26ohm each Ni-chrome wires (18KW unit, so it's a thicker size nichrome) .. so controls and elements is not a problem... problem here is finding the metal at decent price if I were to build my self... was going to gut out that smoker and replace with my own elements and circulating fan if needed. Just not sure about the size is good... being this will be a home use in blue moon... space also needed to be considered.

Means I am probably sure some of you have encounter these issues/considerations before, so wanted to see what is a good size, I can build to it or find something in place of it... any ideas, your thoughts?
 
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bradpac

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For something around that size you really can't beat just an old electric range oven. Nothing to make, its already insulated and safe.

I like the trashcan idea. I bet an old propane tank like they make bbqs out of would work well too with electric elements in the bottom. I know a guy that built a propane fired oven out of a shipping container that's been insulated for doing car chassis
 
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dogdog

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I dunno if he was referring to dumpster or regular 35/50 gallon can (cans)... can't fit a shipping container in my garage, it's probably bigger than my garage :)... as far as range I think it is a bit bulky... even if I strip the top stoves and outer shells just keeping the internal and the insulation....but might not be a bad idea If I find one.

Just looking for ideas and a decent size
 
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kkroger

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I'm looking across the shop at an Oven 5'x5'x8' (8 is the TALL measurement) and it is too small for a LOT of my work... Here is what would work better for ME, 12' length, 8' High with a 5' width and two or 3 rails down the length of the top, with a door on both ends and a trolley to get the stuff from coating to the oven, and out on the other side... no it would not be a pass through production oven, but it would be far better when I have 10' pieces that I have to haul 30 miles to another coater... and back...
 
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dogdog

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I'm looking across the shop at an Oven 5'x5'x8' (8 is the TALL measurement) and it is too small for a LOT of my work... Here is what would work better for ME, 12' length, 8' High with a 5' width and two or 3 rails down the length of the top, with a door on both ends and a trolley to get the stuff from coating to the oven, and out on the other side... no it would not be a pass through production oven, but it would be far better when I have 10' pieces that I have to haul 30 miles to another coater... and back...

LOL... ok something smaller maybe.
 
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Slackerzinc

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For the last year or so, I have been using a large wall oven. It has done almost everything I needed to do. And was free
 
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dogdog

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Not knowing what you want to bake makes it tough. However, in my mind, being able to do a car or motorcycle wheel would probably be a very useful size for many projects. A guy I know built a version of this when he outgrew his conventional kitchen oven.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/di...te-oven-for-you-gun-guys-on-the-cheap.862183/


Yea I don't know either, just trying to find one magic size that can accommodate most stuff... I know it is hard to tell without defining the needs. just wanted to see what is common for a small build... lets say rims would be the biggest object I would bake. if anything at all? 4x4x4 ? or 3x3x3?


Thanks for the links...
Interesting build, the guy uses cermet boards as an insulator...
 

Bigblue&Goldie

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My buddy installs appliances for a living and he just gave/installed an old range/oven to a local offroad shop that was getting into powdercoating. I've seen their work, and it looks as good as any other powdercoating.
 

APEowner

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In my experience the best size is slightly larger than the one you own. No mater how large an oven you have you're one day going to want to coat something that won't fit in it.
 
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dogdog

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In my experience the best size is slightly larger than the one you own. No mater how large an oven you have you're one day going to want to coat something that won't fit in it.

LOL not challenging that statement... since it applies to almost anything....

and I have toaster right now, any size is better, trying to find a good reasonable size, see if I can build once, and don't worry about it... of cause I couldn't fit or afford a trailer size ... it's just for rare occasional use but still like a decent size... I wanted to bake the brake rotor last time. it just won't fit... (not the disc surface area but the mount hub area....). See here is why I asked,... If I build to size for this then I'll be building again for the next size up.... the dilemma... so asking the collective to see, if there is a good size...
 

APEowner

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LOL not challenging that statement... since it applies to almost anything....

and I have toaster right now, any size is better, trying to find a good reasonable size, see if I can build once, and don't worry about it... of cause I couldn't fit or afford a trailer size ... it's just for rare occasional use but still like a decent size... I wanted to bake the brake rotor last time. it just won't fit... (not the disc surface area but the mount hub area....). See here is why I asked,... If I build to size for this then I'll be building again for the next size up.... the dilemma... so asking the collective to see, if there is a good size...

I've been using the oven that came out of my sister's kitchen when she upgraded for about 15 years and it's large enough for most automotive stuff.
 
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