I am sure someone here has probably built a kiln before. I have Harold Hoffmans book with its plans for a minuscule kiln for heat treating pocket knife blades and springs. I also have David gingery’s “lil’ Bertha” book. Both are pretty old sources. I have elements, thermocouple bricks and a PID. The Hoffman kiln has an interior that is 2.5x4.5x4.5, which seems small. I have played with the bricks and have an arrangement that is 4.5x4x14. Is there anything I should be looking for in kiln size?  Also, I am not familiar with PID wiring. Is there a good guide anyone can recommend?

If you're looking to fire pottery, I can maybe help with several types of primitive kilns. They work pretty well, although you'll have the occasional loss in the most modern of kilns. If you're talking about treating small blades and springs, I usually go with a toaster oven, as my wife gets upset when I use the kitchen oven for small stuff.

You're already on the right track: if you have heating elements, thermocouples, and a PID controller, then most of the hard work is already behind you.

Welcome aboard Heringod.  Glad to have you!  That's and old post but Jason still visits occasionally.  I don't know if he ever finished his kiln, but I'm certain he'll be happy for any input.

 

On 8/22/2024 at 8:09 AM, jason0012 said:

I am sure someone here has probably built a kiln before. I have Harold Hoffmans book with its plans for a minuscule kiln for heat treating pocket knife blades and springs. I also have David gingery’s “lil’ Bertha” book. Both are pretty old sources. I have elements, thermocouple bricks and a PID. The Hoffman kiln has an interior that is 2.5x4.5x4.5, which seems small. I have played with the bricks and have an arrangement that is 4.5x4x14. Is there anything I should be looking for in kiln size?  Also, I am not familiar with PID wiring. Is there a good guide anyone can recommend?

I wonder if he finished it or not.

On 8/22/2024 at 8:09 AM, jason0012 said:

I am sure someone here has probably built a kiln before. I have Harold Hoffmans book with its plans for a minuscule kiln for heat treating pocket knife blades and springs. I also have David gingery’s “lil’ Bertha” book. Both are pretty old sources. I have elements, thermocouple bricks and a PID. The Hoffman kiln has an interior that is 2.5x4.5x4.5, which seems small. I have played with the bricks and have an arrangement that is 4.5x4x14. Is there anything I should be looking for in kiln size?  Also, I am not familiar with PID wiring. Is there a good guide anyone can recommend?

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The simplest and most straightforward approach is to consult the manuals for popular PID controllers such as the REX-C100 or the OVEN series (TRM10/TRM101/TRM210), which already include ready-made wiring diagrams. In general, it always comes down to one thing: the sensor is connected to the controller’s input, power is supplied separately (usually 220 V or 24 V), and the controller’s output goes to a relay or solid-state relay (SSR), which then controls the load, such as a heater. The main thing is not to confuse the sensor and power terminals and not to connect a high-power load directly to the controller.