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I bypassed the temperature controller and it took an hour to get to 1000* and was still climbing but very very slow. I still don't think it will get to 1500+. The internal dimensions are 13" deep, 5.5" wide and 5" high and sealed tight. Anyone have any ideas on how to raise the temperature?

I was looking for information on installing guards and pommels but couldn't find any tutorials. Does anyone have any links to information on that sort of thing?

Thanks AR for the tips. Might be that the controller won't pass enough 'juice'. It was a cheap-o to use till I got a programmable one. I'll try just running it with just an ON/OFF switch to see if it heats up with direct power. I'm using a K thermocouple with a Fluke and an off-brand temp...

Oven ID is 6" wide X 4" tall X 12" deep. Supposed to be 1500W @ 15A. Not sure what wire it is but the place I got it from builds kilns and had a rack full of pre-made elements. The guy working there said for what I wanted he needed to make a special element and brought me back one that was 4'...

Thanks to all. I've given up on using anything that might ever have contained anything flammable at any temperature.

Since I enjoy building things I decided to build my own heat treat oven. At a local pottery supply I got all the parts for a 110v oven. I was thinking of 220v but the guy there convinced me I could get to 2000* using 110v. After finishing I had it on high for a couple of hours and could only...

Forget the metal work and concentrait on the oak handle...:) A practice knife from a coil spring, I picked up a small piece of oak at the local Home Depot. After I cut the pieces down I soaked them a few days in Min-wax Wood Hardener. With a bolster and some nice twisted Damascus it would...

Thanks for the input. I love the look of it and after a bunch of practice on individual steel knives for friends I want to make myself one from Damascus. That's a nice looking piece Bubba-san, when talking with makers of the stuff can you order special patterns and metals?

I'll take a chance. Thank you.

How do you tell if your purchasing good Damascus or not?

Thanks for the comments. The knowledge base here is great.

Thanks for the feedback, I'll keep practicing. Murph, you don't have to worry about inferior product tainting the image of legitimate knife makers. My efforts are 100% hobby related.

I have no delusions about becoming a knifemaker. I just enjoy it as a hobby. Friends and family get whatever I put together. This one I made from a file. I had some nickle Babbitt left over from a .50 cal nose piece so I poured the butt. The kitchen knife I did at a local weekend knife...

With so many very good first knives being shown it takes guts to show off this, but here it is. I built this in 1977 from O1, it was heat treated commercially. I dug it out of storage and had not been taking very good care of it. I've got some more recent projects I'll put up later.

I was experimenting with heat treating last night and had a problem I don't understand. I was using old truck coil spring. It had been flattened to about 3/16. I tried it at different temperatures and quenching in canola and water. Each time after taking off the scale I could use a file and...

I got to put a lot of files on the shelf, Santa got me a Grizzly grinder. It's not the best I know but it beats the hell out of the alternative. :)

That is very nice. Thanks for helping me decide NOT to post any pictures of my first one. :)

In, thank you.

I always chisel the tops from 55 gal. drums. The propane bottle is a perfect size/shape and that's the one I'm most concerned with.

I've been working with O1, W1, A2 and old truck springs. I am in an experimentation/learning/practicing phase. I pound and form experiment with heat treating and tempering then break it. I'll try drawing pieces down to re-work then harden again to see if I get the same results. When I get...