Phoenix portable rod oven questions...

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The time has come to get one of these.  I'm looking at the 50-lb portable with wheels for use in the shop and/or the jobsite.  When funds allow I'll look at getting a larger shop-only oven, but that may be awhile.  For now I want to buy one oven that I can use anywhere.Mainly I'm wondering if the electrode and thermostat will last, or if they'll burn up under constant use (like staying plugged in at the shop 24/7).  Any experience out there?  Informed advice welcome.
Reply:I am interested in the Keen because the wattage is 150W so it will be cheaper to run. I do realize it will run longer, but they're also cheaper new.I talked to Keen and they said I could use it as a small shop oven, not just a part time portable. They assured me I can use it 100% duty cycle. I also like the available divider."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-man...I talked to Keen and they said I could use it as a small shop oven, not just a part time portable....
Reply:I've had a 25# keen over running since last three years. No probs. So farG
Reply:I've had or used both and have never had any issues. I have had both the 10# and the 50# and have run them continuous for months on end. Can't comment on cost to run.
Reply:Originally Posted by tbone550The time has come to get one of these.  I'm looking at the 50-lb portable with wheels for use in the shop and/or the jobsite. . . .  Mainly I'm wondering if the electrode and thermostat will last, or if they'll burn up under constant use (like staying plugged in at the shop 24/7).  Any experience out there?  Informed advice welcome.
Reply:Originally Posted by denrep...I've never seen one with wheels. Are we getting soft and lazy, or what?
Reply:As denrep said, the "X" divider is what I liked. I just want to store the balance of my 10# cans of 7018, 3/32", 1/8" and 5/32". And then I was gonna get three blue Hi Heat Rod Guard's. The ones with the metal liner. That way I can leave the oven at the shop and take what I need.And the Phoenix ones I've seen had a round hole and I guess you put a 50# can and rods in it.Last edited by Stick-man; 09-10-2011 at 09:53 AM."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Oops, ok looks like the one with wheels has a round hole. I just found this on ebay.http://www.ebay.com/itm/320753591617...84.m1423.l2649"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manOops, ok looks like the one with wheels has a round hole. I just found this on ebay.http://www.ebay.com/itm/320753591617...84.m1423.l2649
Reply:Here is where I plan on getting my Keen.http://www.rodovens.com/The K-50 is $219.00 and with the divider is $242.00. And that is shipped to your door.http://www.rodovens.com/products/k-5...lding-oven.htmYeah, I guess I would forget about that Phoenix if the element is $180.00! I was thinking of making my own divider. I don't know if you were on here when I posted my dads photo equipment. I have plenty of thin stainless on hand. It won't have the pretty ventilation holes in it, but I canfigure out something with my plasma. If you have any ideas on it let me know, I can send you a couple pieces to make your own. Although, for $23.00 more, shipped and already made, it might not even be worth it!BTW, are you almost done with my XMT?!!!"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:I have the Phoenix 50 pounder with a divider, it is a sturdy unit. I have had it on jobs where it was plugged in for months on end.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:2nd here on having the phoenix 50lb oven.  Keeps my 7018 and 7016 up to 300 degrees for my code work on bridges.Lincoln 300 Vantage 2008300 Commander 1999SA250 1999SA200 1968Miller Syncrowave 200XMT350MPA/S-52E/xr-15Xtreme 12vs Millermatic 251 w/30A  Millermatic 251 Dialarc 250 Hypertherm 1250 GEKA & Bantom Ironwokers
Reply:I have a couple 50lb Phoenix rod ovens and a bigger rebake oven that i cant recall the make of.    And about 1000lbs of welding rod in an old fridge.    If i lost 9 fingers i could count how many times in the last month i stick welded.    Since the advent of FCAW stick is all but pointless around here.   It does have its places though.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:this seems like a good dealhttp://stores.ae-welding-industrial....%2C/Detail.bokG
Reply:As an update, I got off of some moldy money this morning and bought a used-but-looks-new Phoenix Type 15, 150-lb'er on ebay.  There is a beat-down-looking 50-lb'er still on there for only a few dollars less, so I figured I couldn't be going too far wrong.  Spent $355 including shipping, and we'll see how it survives the big brown truck.  I've got a Kill-A-Watt meter and will report back on electricity usage once I've had it plugged in and operating for a while.And Denrep.  It has wheels.   And Stick-man.  I somehow missed your question about the XMT the first time around.   I'll tell you what.  You bring my Commander 500 back to VA where it belongs, and pay the $4,000 rent we agreed on for it, and I'll give you back your XMT.  But I'll warn you, I've repackaged it so it *looks* like a Dialarc to scare away potential thieves.  Pretty smart of me, huh?    Won't even charge you extra for the labor I spent on that.
Reply:Final follow-up - this type 15 Phoenix rod oven is using 5.1 KWh in 24 hrs storing about 60 lbs of rod in it at 250 degrees.  I doubt the number would change much if it was chock full.  So about 150 KWh per month - $15.00 per month at our local rates, or $180/year.  One of the smaller expenses I have, business-wise.I'm thinking about building a bigger, insulated area to keep the rod oven in, as it does lose a fair amount of heat through the lid.  That might save a little more money.  All in all, I'm pleased.
Reply:I have the 10lb phoenix portable unit and keep it in the shop. No complaints with this unit. I strictly keep 3/32 7018 in this oven. My 1/8 rods are in sealed tubes with desicant.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Pics?"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"