out of necessity....

Beagle333 · November 1, 2014, 10:59 AM

Well, since my new Indoor Casting Facility isn't operational just yet ('wife won't move her junk out of storage room

)..... and it is very windy and cold here today... I was pushed into making a mold oven. Actually it was very easy! I already had a hot plate that I use for mold warming on normal calm days, and I discovered that a coffee can fit right down over the coils perfectly. So I just cut a handle slot in one side, drilled a hole for a Thermocouple so my PID could apply the power to the hot plate to keep the inside at the desired temp, and put a small flat piece of metal over the coils to protect the mold blocks.
I didn't use a round piece of metal under the mold because I wanted more heat transfer from the coils up into the oven instead of reflected down onto the hotplate. And now.... I'm heading outside to test this rig!

(edit... as soon as I screw a cabinet knob on top of the can.... It does need a handle)

Beagle333 · November 1, 2014, 12:02 PM

It works like a champ too. I ran it up to 350° in no time.
(It was only at 314 when I took this pic)

Jim Watson · November 1, 2014, 12:16 PM

I like your custom made controller housing.

Beagle333 · November 1, 2014, 12:44 PM

'spared no expense.

Beagle333 · November 1, 2014, 06:28 PM

My setup today, with new mold heater.

and I cast a pile of 311467 Loverin's.

straight-shooter · November 2, 2014, 07:13 AM

A man has got to know his limitations. It's Evident you don't have any!

Good job and the that's the fun part about this hobby. Sometimes we have to improvise and it ends up working out well.

Beagle333 · November 2, 2014, 05:37 PM

Also made a pile of Lyman 323470 for the 8mm.

Beagle333 · November 2, 2014, 05:46 PM

311467 closer:

323470 closer:

November 1, 2014, 10:59 AM	#1
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	out of necessity.... Well, since my new Indoor Casting Facility isn't operational just yet ('wife won't move her junk out of storage room )..... and it is very windy and cold here today... I was pushed into making a mold oven. Actually it was very easy! I already had a hot plate that I use for mold warming on normal calm days, and I discovered that a coffee can fit right down over the coils perfectly. So I just cut a handle slot in one side, drilled a hole for a Thermocouple so my PID could apply the power to the hot plate to keep the inside at the desired temp, and put a small flat piece of metal over the coils to protect the mold blocks. I didn't use a round piece of metal under the mold because I wanted more heat transfer from the coils up into the oven instead of reflected down onto the hotplate. And now.... I'm heading outside to test this rig! (edit... as soon as I screw a cabinet knob on top of the can.... It does need a handle) __________________ . . . Have a Colt and a smile. Last edited by Beagle333; November 1, 2014 at 11:38 AM.

November 1, 2014, 12:02 PM	#2
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	It works like a champ too. I ran it up to 350° in no time. (It was only at 314 when I took this pic) __________________ . . . Have a Colt and a smile.

November 1, 2014, 12:44 PM	#4
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	'spared no expense. __________________ . . . Have a Colt and a smile.

November 1, 2014, 06:28 PM	#5
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	My setup today, with new mold heater. and I cast a pile of 311467 Loverin's. __________________ . . . Have a Colt and a smile.

November 2, 2014, 05:37 PM	#7
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	Also made a pile of Lyman 323470 for the 8mm. __________________ . . . Have a Colt and a smile.

November 1, 2014, 12:16 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,546	I like your custom made controller housing.

November 2, 2014, 07:13 AM	#6
straight-shooter Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: North Central Indiana Posts: 436	A man has got to know his limitations. It's Evident you don't have any! Good job and the that's the fun part about this hobby. Sometimes we have to improvise and it ends up working out well.

November 2, 2014, 05:46 PM	#8
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	311467 closer: 323470 closer: __________________ . . . Have a Colt and a smile.