Building my own oven... Finished on page 19!

[Guest]

I've decided that building a bigger oven, although more expensive, is a higher priority at this point than a bigger booth... so I'm going for it.

To be honest, I have yet to REALLY outgrow my 30" oven. I haven't turned down any big jobs (financially) because of oven limitations, but I want to be ready for the near future. I'm also building this in my head with a few notepad sketches, so if any one my numbers are wrong, please feel free to correct me.

I've always been told to build the biggest oven I can afford and think I will need. My space limitations for width and depth are 6x6 feet and I would not like to go any taller than 6 feet. So technically the biggest oven I can build is a 6x6x6. However, the sheet metal panels I can find locally are 10x4 feet. If I make a 6' tall oven then my other two sides have a max size of 4'.

A 6x4x4 oven seems to be a good size. However, it is not the best 'bang for the buck'. I can maximize my sheet metal usage by cutting by the 10x4 panels in half and making 5x4 panels for each side. I can also get 4x3 panels for a decent price... so basically I've ended up with a 5x4x3 oven.

Inside dimensions: 72h x 44.38w x 32.38d

At this point I'm mostly concerned with building the actual box. So I'm focused on sheet metal and insulation. I've started purchasing the materials for the phase of the build and started researching the electronics behind it.

What is the different between the square elements found inside the oven and the round elements on the stove? This may sound like a stupid question and I'm sure there is a simple answer to it, so I would like to know. Are they basically the same thing but less powerful? Can more of these smaller round elements be used in place of fewer big square elements?

Building a 5x4x3 oven instead of a 6x4x4 oven will cost 33% less in sheet metal. It will also be a considerable amount in metal studs that I have not calculated yet. It will also fit better within the space I have assigned to the oven and probably cost less to operate. I know these are good enough reasons for me, what do you guys think?

[Guest]

Re: Building my own oven...

Aww c'mon I can't be the only one still powder coating at 1:30 AM, am I?! j/k LOL.... just reading up as much as I can about ovens since I can't go to sleep... to anxious about starting on it tomorrow, plus I'm delivering parts to a customer tomorrow and picking up a new batch from another guy as well!

[Guest]

Re: Building my own oven...

Some links for you:

http://www.heatershop.com/btu_calculator.htm

http://www.mcmaster.com/

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Prod ... rust+panel

http://www.f-5performance.com/powderoven.htm

http://www.grainger.com

http://www.auberins.com

Just some links to check out.

[jnk-byr]

Re: Building my own oven...

[SM]Juan if it helps out any i just built a oven out of an old freezer,cement board and high temp caulk. i was in the same situation you are in. caswell has a forum all about building oven with tons of pictures for referance that help out a lot. http://www.auberins.com/ is where i bought my parts and they were real helpful and nice.will go back to them again someday.can post pics if you like on everything i used.

[Guest]

Re: Building my own oven...

My oven is a rigged up peice of work. My inside numbers are 59"tall 18.5"wide 27"deep. I helped my dad paint a red lobster a year back and picked up a pro grade cooler they were throwing out. Its stainless - all I had to do knock off the refer unit on the top and plug/cover a few holes. First few times I used it, it smoked like crazy, but now it works out for me just fine. I cannabalized the wifes old kitchen oven for the elements and the controls/thermostat.

I just picked up a walk in cooler thats 8' x 8' that I am making plans for as we speek! I dont know how or if this project will work out, but Ill keep you informed - if I dont parish in the flames!

Im not really proud of my oven or anything, but all she cost me was a new oven for the wife, which worked out cause she just had to have one of those glass tops anyhow. I looked like a prince, and I got what I needed also.

[Guest]

Re: Building my own oven...

Heres a PID to use for your oven control. They also have great customer service if you have problems or questions.
http://auberins.com/index.php?main_page ... ef6c51701f

Heres a contractor to use to control your elements
http://waterheater.stores.yahoo.net/c25bnf240aco.html

I got my PID and contractor I put on my kitchen oven to control it for better part temp control from these guys.
I was going to build me a bigger oven but with the increases in metal prices around here it was more cost affective
for me to buy a done oven from tedsfab. Something to think about. Heres his link.
http://www.tedsfabrication.com/index.htm

Harley

[Guest]

Re: Building my own oven... New Pictures!

Thanks for all the info guys... I'll take some time to look through all of it tomorrow.

It's 1AM again and I'm just now wrapping up

I decided to tackle the oven project and what better place to start then the foundation... so here's the idea so far.



Still got a couple of rivets to do here and there and a few other things before insulation for the bottom panel. I did get a chance to install the casters so I can move it around the shop during clean up!

[Guest]

Re: Building my own oven... New Pictures!

Sweet you're off to a real good start. Obviously you've mastered this as well.

Harley

[baz]

Re: Building my own oven... New Pictures!

Juan]I've decided that building a bigger oven, although more expensive, is a higher priority at this point than a bigger booth... so I'm going for it.

To be honest, I have yet to REALLY outgrow my 30" oven. I haven't turned down any big jobs (financially) because of oven limitations, but I want to be ready for the near future. I'm also building this in my head with a few notepad sketches, so if any one my numbers are wrong, please feel free to correct me.

I've always been told to build the biggest oven I can afford and think I will need. My space limitations for width and depth are 6x6 feet and I would not like to go any taller than 6 feet. So technically the biggest oven I can build is a 6x6x6. However, the sheet metal panels I can find locally are 10x4 feet. If I make a 6' tall oven then my other two sides have a max size of 4'.

A 6x4x4 oven seems to be a good size. However, it is not the best 'bang for the buck'. I can maximize my sheet metal usage by cutting by the 10x4 panels in half and making 5x4 panels for each side. I can also get 4x3 panels for a decent price... so basically I've ended up with a 5x4x3 oven.

Outside dimensions: 60h x 48w x 36d

Inside dimensions: 52.75h x 40.75w x 32.38d

At this point I'm mostly concerned with building the actual box. So I'm focused on sheet metal and insulation. I've started purchasing the materials for the phase of the build and started researching the electronics behind it.

What is the different between the square elements found inside the oven and the round elements on the stove? This may sound like a stupid question and I'm sure there is a simple answer to it, so I would like to know. Are they basically the same thing but less powerful? Can more of these smaller round elements be used in place of fewer big square elements?

Building a 5x4x3 oven instead of a 6x4x4 oven will cost 33% less in sheet metal. It will also be a considerable amount in metal studs that I have not calculated yet. It will also fit better within the space I have assigned to the oven and probably cost less to operate. I know these are good enough reasons for me, what do you guys think?

i understand that you can save 33% on material by making it smaller , but the important part is how much will you lose if you make it too small ?
i think you got to step back a little and try to look at how you see your business in the next 2 or three years . what kind of customers are you going after , as an example if you are going after motorcycle shops you will have some large frames to powder , and they won t fit in a 52 inch oven,if you re after the truck guys will you be able to do bumpers or side step bars

what about wheels , will you be able to cure 4 at a time in that oven . if you have to cure 2 wheela at a time then your 33% material that you saved is largely offset by the lost time and the electricity bill
this said you 52x40 x32 might be perfect for your needs , just trying to get you to see what you could need down the road in a short term

[wiseguyz]

Re: Building my own oven... New Pictures!

I would also give some thought to the rack you intend to use. If you'll have one that rolls in like mine, you may want to put a stud straight underneath where the wheels will track so the metal covering the bottom doesn't flex and bend. I'm going to have to add another sheet of metal in the bottom of mine to reinforce the floor.

[Guest]

Re: Building my own oven... New Pictures!

Juan]I've decided that building a bigger oven, although more expensive, is a higher priority at this point than a bigger booth... so I'm going for it.

To be honest, I have yet to REALLY outgrow my 30" oven. I haven't turned down any big jobs (financially) because of oven limitations, but I want to be ready for the near future. I'm also building this in my head with a few notepad sketches, so if any one my numbers are wrong, please feel free to correct me.

I've always been told to build the biggest oven I can afford and think I will need. My space limitations for width and depth are 6x6 feet and I would not like to go any taller than 6 feet. So technically the biggest oven I can build is a 6x6x6. However, the sheet metal panels I can find locally are 10x4 feet. If I make a 6' tall oven then my other two sides have a max size of 4'.

A 6x4x4 oven seems to be a good size. However, it is not the best 'bang for the buck'. I can maximize my sheet metal usage by cutting by the 10x4 panels in half and making 5x4 panels for each side. I can also get 4x3 panels for a decent price... so basically I've ended up with a 5x4x3 oven.

Outside dimensions: 60h x 48w x 36d

Inside dimensions: 52.75h x 40.75w x 32.38d

At this point I'm mostly concerned with building the actual box. So I'm focused on sheet metal and insulation. I've started purchasing the materials for the phase of the build and started researching the electronics behind it.

What is the different between the square elements found inside the oven and the round elements on the stove? This may sound like a stupid question and I'm sure there is a simple answer to it, so I would like to know. Are they basically the same thing but less powerful? Can more of these smaller round elements be used in place of fewer big square elements?

Building a 5x4x3 oven instead of a 6x4x4 oven will cost 33% less in sheet metal. It will also be a considerable amount in metal studs that I have not calculated yet. It will also fit better within the space I have assigned to the oven and probably cost less to operate. I know these are good enough reasons for me, what do you guys think?

i understand that you can save 33% on material by making it smaller , but the important part is how much will you lose if you make it too small ?
i think you got to step back a little and try to look at how you see your business in the next 2 or three years . what kind of customers are you going after , as an example if you are going after motorcycle shops you will have some large frames to powder , and they won t fit in a 52 inch oven,if you re after the truck guys will you be able to do bumpers or side step bars

what about wheels , will you be able to cure 4 at a time in that oven . if you have to cure 2 wheela at a time then your 33% material that you saved is largely offset by the lost time and the electricity bill
this said you 52x40 x32 might be perfect for your needs , just trying to get you to see what you could need down the road in a short term

That brings up a good question. Exactly how big is a motorcycle frame? I've given this some thought before but I can't find the dimensions of a typical sports bike frame. I see wheelbase is usually about 52-54 inches, are the forks usually parts of the frame? I would assume the frame should be shorter than the wheel base in most cases or very close to is, is that correct?

I also managed to squeeze an extra few inches from my design and increase the height to just over 56 inches (interior).

Doing a set of wheels at once shouldn't be an issue... That will depend more in the rack, the space is definitely available. I'm glad you mentioned the future though, that's really what I'm trying to accomplish with this oven. Like I mentioned, I haven't really had a need for a big oven yet and don't predict a need for it for at least a couple of months. That's why I figured I might as well get a jump start on it so when the first customer to request a big item shows up I have the confidence to reply "Yeah... I can do that" hehe...

[Guest]

Re: Building my own oven... New Pictures!

I would also give some thought to the rack you intend to use. If you'll have one that rolls in like mine, you may want to put a stud straight underneath where the wheels will track so the metal covering the bottom doesn't flex and bend. I'm going to have to add another sheet of metal in the bottom of mine to reinforce the floor.

Good idea. I started to think about this last night immediately after placing the floor sheet metal on the frame. It exposed the weak spots, unfortunately I was out of the stud material to build any additional supports inside. I'll go ahead and pick some more today and post pictures later.

I want to place 4 more floor supports, 1 on each side of the angled ones. Basically where the rack will seat. I also plan on using some heavy gauge on the actual floor. The sheet metal on the bottom is honestly quite thin... I believe 24-26 gauge. However, I plan on using some thicker 18-20 gauge on the inside walls, especially true on the floor.

[Guest]

Re: Building my own oven... New Pictures!

That Buell frame I just posted in customer pictures is 54" long.

I was pretty damn close then... thanks man! So it would be a VERY tight fit... Should be possible depending on the rack I and location of the elements. I would have just over an inch on top and bottom to squeeze the rack... I plan on using 1x1 square tubbing to basically build a roll cage for the oven so that might work.

Just thinking out loud here... feel free to throw in your ideas. Basically I'm working with a 10 foot (120 inches) tall sheet metal panel and I want to use 1 panel per side. That gives me an outside wall of 63.65 and an inside wall of 56.35 inches.

In case you couldn't tell I'm not only trying to save money on materials by basically leaving nothing unused, but also trying to save on labor by cutting as few panels are possible :P

[Guest]

Re: Building my own oven... New Pictures!

I have another question... I ran into an electric oven while searching craiglist, very similar to the oven I'm currently using.

Is it possible to use the electronics out of this oven? I was thinking I can use everything except the elements... is this correct or should I just go out and buy everything that has been listed so far? Thanks!

[Guest]

Re: Building my own oven... New Pictures!

Juan]I have another question... I ran into an electric oven while searching craiglist, very similar to the oven I'm currently using.

Is it possible to use the electronics out of this oven? I was thinking I can use everything except the elements... is this correct or should I just go out and buy everything that has been listed so far? Thanks!

The reason I switched from the thermostat in my oven like yours to a PID was because the variance in temp. The thermostat has such a large variance that it was hard to get a part to temp and hold it for the proper curing time. The PID keeps the temp constant and it's variance is adjustable. How far the temp drops before the oven comes back on is what I mean by variance. Now my parts reach temp quicker because fo the steady temp so I actually get done with them faster. I hope this helps.

Harley