Does anyone have a good source for info on building molten salt pot rigs, i'd like to look at making a low temp rig at first, possibly a high temp rig later. I think a electric setup like the evenheat wouldn't be to hard to do but how do the temp controls on the gas pots work?
There's a bit of salt pot info in the google. I'm looking into building one as well. The gas ones use a PID controlled solenoid which gives bursts of flame to regulate temperature. From all I've read, they are about as dangerous as a buffer, but in a molten salt blowing up in your face sort of way instead of having a knife thrown at you at buffer speed. There are a few guidelines into being safe with them, I just read a Kevin Cashen rant about the dangers of them and how he won't give advice on building them anymore because of all the incidents. I apologize if it sounds like I'm ranting now, too many safety meetings up north. Play safe! Aaron
A few of the members here have salt pots. Although I have none, a sand pot seems to me a safer way to go as it's not nearly as explosive or corrosive. In either unit, a PID temperature controller is used to open a normally closed solenoid gas valve. This turns on and off the gas to the burner(s) to regulate the temperature.
A PID controller is a waste of time and money unless you plan on doing hundreds of knives in a day. My salt pot is propane fired (takes an hour to heat up to 1500 deg ) will do 6-8 knives at a time, and once the temp is reached there is very little adjustment required on the propane regulator. From a safety point of view have that gas valve open and not ignite the gas and the salt pot comes right out of the container when it decides to ignite. There should always be an igniter in the circuit to make sure the gas ignites if you are going to use a controller. If anyone is interested I still have 2 50 lb bags of KCL (potassium chloride) salt.
I've been using canola oil at 130 F, I know I know it's not the best. I have also heard of Park's 50 but I can't find any around here. I have never heard of ATF though, what is it and where can you get it? Thanks.
I had 5 gallons of the Parks oil and it made such a mess of the blades I gave it away. I know everybody raves about it but I sure didn't see anything that great about it. Anyway ATF stands for Automatic Transmission Fluid you know the stuff that goes in your car. You can buy it new and spend a hundred dollars or go to a Automatic Transmission shop and they will most likely give it to you if you provide a container. I have heat treated 500-600 blades in ATF,never have one crack,they come out of the oil nice and clean and the hardness is always where you expect it to be. What else could you ask for and it is easy to get and the price is right.
