Low cost rod oven

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Don't know if anyone is interested but this is my low cost rod oven. Found this old ashtray on the side of the road on garbage day. I have a total of $8.89 into it and it works great. The only thing I had to buy was a porcelain light socket with pull chain switch and three 1/4 by 20 threaded rods and a 250 watt heat lamp. the rest of the materials I had in my scrap pile and the electrical cord was off an old shop vac that died. I put a grill thermometer inside and the little oven bottom out the thermometer at 220 degrees. I don't know how hot it gets but I know it's over 220. It's hot enough that I have to have my welding gloves on to handle the welding rod. I don't use my stick welder to often but sometimes I have to weld somethings with a stick and a small oven is perfect for me because it's easy to move around the shop. It will hold over ten pounds of rods so it's more than adequate for me. Just thought I would show my low cost oven for those who might need a small rod oven. Attached Images
Reply:That'll do the job, but it's terribly inefficient.  220 degrees is not hot enough to "bake" rods prior to use, only hot enough to store them at.  Also, with no ventilation, there's nowhere for the moisture to go.250 watts burning 24/7 is a LOT of juice.  With no thermostatic control and no insulation, it's really a horrid waste of electricity.  A well insulated, vented box with a 120v water heater element and an oven thermostat would be more expensive to build, but FAR more economical in the long run.You didn't build that.'85 Miller AEAD-200LE
Reply:Any bench top rod oven is going to cost some $$.A portable unit however is very inexpensive.$164 from Lincoln http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...producttype=agJasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by anickodeThat'll do the job, but it's terribly inefficient.  220 degrees is not hot enough to "bake" rods prior to use, only hot enough to store them at.  Also, with no ventilation, there's nowhere for the moisture to go.250 watts burning 24/7 is a LOT of juice.  With no thermostatic control and no insulation, it's really a horrid waste of electricity.  A well insulated, vented box with a 120v water heater element and an oven thermostat would be more expensive to build, but FAR more economical in the long run.
Reply:IMO, just put them into one of those sealed rod holders.  You don't need baked low/hi rod for non code work.  I know that people won't agree with me on this.  Regarding the oven, I love the ingenuity!  Repurposing existing objects into something they weren't intended for has always fascinated me.  In the future, you might consider insulating it.  Last edited by mb_welder; 08-22-2012 at 06:10 AM.
Reply:there is a dry waterheater element that would do the job. i use one for the oil pre-heater on my waste oil boiler
Reply:Originally Posted by kctgbLike I said in my post I don't use the stick welder very often so I don't keep a large supply of rods on hand. I buy the rods as I need them per job and they are hermetically sealed to keep out moisture. I immediately put all my low hydrogen rods in the oven to keep them dry until the job is over and then I unplug my little oven and put it away. It's not meant for long term storage. And yes it is very inefficient but I only use it between 6 and 12 times in a year. All I can say is it works very well no matter how inefficient it is and when it stops working all I have to replace is the bulb. I have had two small portable ovens in the past and both have crapped out on me in less then three years so I've given up on cheap rod ovens. That's why they are cheap they don't last. As far as the water heater element idea it won't last more than 10 seconds when not in water. It will melt and quit working without water keeping it cool. I know my oven won't work for everyone but it does what I need it to do. Sorry if I rambled on to long.
Reply:Rod ovens aren't expensive.The earlier comments on insulation, ventilation and heat range are true.You will not be able to recondition H rods.This oven is about $150 in Australia.  Cheep for our side of the pond.  This rod oven fits 5KG of rods. Attached Images
Reply:Insulating it sounds good but how and with what? Any ideas are welcome. Any ideas on how to make the door more air tight. The darn thing gets so hot I can't put my hand on it but I'm afraid I am loosing a good deal of heat around the door. I put a thermometer inside and it buried the needle at 220 degrees so I don't really know how hot it gets inside. I did put some 7018 rods in it that wouldn't burn very well and after four hours they ran perfectly and the welds looked perfect. The door seal is the next thing I have to figure out.
Reply:Wll hell I have a rod oven sitting out in the back that I started to take apart the only thing missing is the top at this point and the screws to put is all back together that I will sell for 50.00 plus the shipping.
Reply:Originally Posted by kctgbLike I said in my post I don't use the stick welder very often so I don't keep a large supply of rods on hand. I buy the rods as I need them per job and they are hermetically sealed to keep out moisture. I immediately put all my low hydrogen rods in the oven to keep them dry until the job is over and then I unplug my little oven and put it away. It's not meant for long term storage. And yes it is very inefficient but I only use it between 6 and 12 times in a year. All I can say is it works very well no matter how inefficient it is and when it stops working all I have to replace is the bulb. I have had two small portable ovens in the past and both have crapped out on me in less then three years so I've given up on cheap rod ovens. That's why they are cheap they don't last. As far as the water heater element idea it won't last more than 10 seconds when not in water. It will melt and quit working without water keeping it cool. I know my oven won't work for everyone but it does what I need it to do. Sorry if I rambled on to long.
Reply:Originally Posted by JoshfromsaltlakeThe only rods that need to be baked are low-hydrogen rods most notably 7018.  For someone at home you can do that in an actual oven. Your little can won't get hot enough to truly dry out 7018. Other types of rods only need to be kept reasonably dry. If you buy 7018 rated -H4R baking isn't really a big deal for someone at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by mb_welderIMO, just put them into one of those sealed rod holders.  You don't need baked low/hi rod for non code work.  I know that people won't agree with me on this.  Regarding the oven, I love the ingenuity!  Repurposing existing objects into something they weren't intended for has always fascinated me.  In the future, you might consider insulating it.