How do I make an oven??

[James1979]

I have a 1000l stainless steel vessel on legs, ex brewery fermentation tank. I want to cut a door in it, and use it as a oven for curing paint and / or a spray booth. It means I can spray stuff then get on with other things in the workshop without worrying about dust.

The spraying will be mainly rattle can so I'm not worried about that. I'll put a small vent in, possibly, but will play that one by ear. May not even need it.

The big problem is I want to heat it. I use a paint on a few of my products that has to be baked at 200C for 20 minutes to cure. Assuming I can get a domestic oven would it be a simple job of putting the guts into the stainless tank? I know it'll get hot but that isnt an issue where it'll sit. Had planned to make a powder coating setup in there but I think this paint is better for what I do so just need to find a way to cure it.

Anyone done anything like this before?

 

[julianf]

Sell the tank for money and knock up somthing to spec.

 

[James1979]

Fair enough but whats the spec? Its an idea size and its on legs which makes it the right height to work in it. I've no idea how to build a big oven really, but one would be handy for what I need to achieve.

 

[daleyd]

You could probably chuck a domestic oven element in and wire it up through a cheap pid controller and solid state relay (you can pick them up from eBay for not much cash) or even an old immersion thermostat or similar.

 

[daleyd]

The issue you will have is that if the tank is bare metal it will get hot and won’t be very efficient - can you wrap it in some lagging or insulation?

 

[julianf]

Fair enough but whats the spec? Its an idea size and its on legs which makes it the right height to work in it. I've no idea how to build a big oven really, but one would be handy for what I need to achieve.

I'm just aware that stainless tanks on legs have value as stainless tanks...

So, whilst you have it alreaddy, the money you would get from flogging it may well allow you to build somthing that would suite your work better.

As a very minor example, square spaces are generally more efficient for fitting objects into than round. Would be easier to build shelves for etc etc.

If you're stuck on tanks, flog the stainless on eBay for cash and then spend a fraction of that cash on an old metal kerosene tank...

Or just knock up somthing yourself.

Or keep the stainless tank if it fits your plan - who am I to say what's good for you! : )

...I'm just aware stainless tanks are desirable in some fields, so have value.

 

[James1979]

Cheers. Thats along the lines I was thinking but I wasnt sure if there was more to it than that? I need to be at 200C so it doesnt have to be variable, although that would be handy.

 

[James1979]

The issue you will have is that if the tank is bare metal it will get hot and won’t be very efficient - can you wrap it in some lagging or insulation?

I've a bale of rockwool I could put around the inside of it which may help. Its thoughts at the moment, just trying to work out if its do able

 

[James1979]

I'm just aware that stainless tanks on legs have value as stainless tanks...

So, whilst you have it alreaddy, the money you would get from flogging it may well allow you to build somthing that would suite your work better.

As a very minor example, square spaces are generally more efficient for fitting objects into than round. Would be easier to build shelves for etc etc.

If you're stuck on tanks, flog the stainless on eBay for cash and then spend a fraction of that cash on an old metal kerosene tank...

Or just knock up somthing yourself.

Or keep the stainless tank if it fits your plan - who am I to say what's good for you! : )

...I'm just aware stainless tanks are desirable in some fields, so have value.

Cheers. All advice appreciated I've got this tank in exchange for building another smaller stainless tray for the guy, so it owes me nothing really and the resale value of it up here is limited. Theres one scrap yard so he dictates the (Low!) price of scrap. I may fab something up that would suit better in the long term but if I can get this running to prove an idea for little outlay then it will be worth it in the short term at least. The BBQ's and fire globes I make will go in that size tank even allowing for insulation.

Alternatively, if anyone fancies a stainless tank then I'm open to offers!

 

[Ashley Burton]

I would modify the tank you have to suit if it owes you nothing & your struggling to move it on

 

[julianf]

Cheers. All advice appreciated I've got this tank in exchange for building another smaller stainless tray for the guy, so it owes me nothing really and the resale value of it up here is limited. Theres one scrap yard so he dictates the (Low!) price of scrap. I may fab something up that would suit better in the long term but if I can get this running to prove an idea for little outlay then it will be worth it in the short term at least. The BBQ's and fire globes I make will go in that size tank even allowing for insulation.

Alternatively, if anyone fancies a stainless tank then I'm open to offers!

Got a photo of it?

Of course, if I want it, it will suddenly be completely worthless... ; )

 

[James1979]

Got a photo of it?

Of course, if I want it, it will suddenly be completely worthless... ; )

Supposed to be collecting it at sometime tomorrow if I can borrow the forklift (see other thread ) so I'll take a pic then. Its got a water cooling jacket built in although that wont get used for anything by me.

Looks a lot like the ones hitch had on his work thread the other day. I am aware of the resale depriciation if you wanted it buyer collects though.......

 

[gaz1]

this reference might give you some ideas

 

[Barking Mat]

Well cover it in insulation, stone, concrete, for the thermic mass...

We've had a a range of stoves and woodburners.

Those that are thin, heat up and cool down quick.

Those in cast iron, with bricks, take a while to get hot and while to cool down.

 

[gaz1]

Well cover it in insulation, stone, concrete, for the thermic mass...

We've had a a range of stoves and woodburners.

Those that are thin, heat up and cool down quick.

Those in cast iron, with bricks, take a while to get hot and long while to cool down.

found this info out via a link so only edited your post

 

[James1979]

Not picked it up yet so no pictures but fingers crossed I'll be getting it in the next day or so

Still collecting ideas though so I will try and keep this thread updated.

 

[Turbo]

Even if you do insulate it you will waste a lot of energy heating it up, that's a lot of metal! Forget about putting rockwool on the inside, it will act as a dust trap & will fill up with over spray.

If you are set on using a tank a much better bet for general spraying would be an IBC cube tank. Pack around the metal frame with insulation, weld on some legs & away you go. Then keep your steel tank for the hotter temperatures of powder coating.

The other alternative is to build a wood frame, line it inside with plywood, paint it white & add some kingspan insulation sheets on the outside.

You don't need anything hotter than 60 deg c for baking most spray paint. I have a 9ft square spray booth set up using old doors & sheets of plywood & even with the many air gaps I can get it to 40 deg using a space heater in 1 corner. I am planning an upgrade to make it more air tight & easier to see in by using some 8x4 sheets of white plastic to line it & maybe add some kingspan insulation.

But no matter what you build you will wish you made it a lot bigger, I know I did!

 

[Shedendman]

Strange,as i was only thinking the other day about diy powdercoating,an oven did come into mind and i found this

 

[James1979]

Well, it’s home! Not sure what to do next. A few good points raised above which have got me thinking so thanks all.

thing is, I need to get the thing to 200 degree c to cure the paint I’m using. I’m really better off with an air curing paint I think. Whatever I use I need to be able to shop the finished fire pits ready to use. I’ve found out the general public are thick and if you say ‘build a fire of cardboard for 20 minutes to cure it first’ they ignore you then complain when the paint blisters!

oh it’s upside down to keep the rain oot

 

[Shedendman]

Can i ask,what paint is it that you need to cook it at 200c?