Homemade rod oven..Will it work??

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I have a stand up smoker that has all the shelfs in it and was thinking about making a rod oven out of it.  It is made out of thin metal and didnt know if it would hold the heat good enough. I was going to seal up all the vents in it and put a heat bulb in the top where the the vent is there. I also have a space heater that the heater works but the shell is busted and was thinking about putting that in the bottom with the fan still there to cerculate air. It has a thermostat on it so i thought mabey it wouldnt run all the time like the bulb would. But i also thought that may be a huge fire hazard. Does anybody have any other ideas on this project. Like how to keep the heat in better or how to heat it.Equipment:Lincoln Ranger 8Lincoln Power Mig 255Miller Diversion 165Hypertherm Powermax 45Victor Pro Series Torch setTons of other shop supplies
Reply:how hot did the smoker get while it was being used as such? what temp does the rod oven need to get to? Is the needed temp less than what the smoker would get to? if so, that I see no problem with keeping the heat in.after checking google for rod ovens, the temp range from 50*-550* F. I'd say you're good if you can keep them over 100* F.with the built in thermostat on your space heater, how hot can it get before it turns off? Typically, space heaters (well built ones) have an auto shut off to prevent the unit from over heating. but it should be able to get the relitively small (in space heater terms) space of the smoker to 100* or better. The bulb alone might even be able to do this. Personally. I would start with the bulb first. and see how hot it will keep things. if it's not hot enough, either 1) add another bulb, or 2) add the heater.as long as you're doing the wiring properly, you're at relitively low risk of electrical fire. and if you've got adiquate distance between the oven and flamable materials, you should be fine.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:If you're going to store rods for code work then you need about 350 deg F.
Reply:well you could think about the idea i have about building one. in principal it might work for you Kyleb. my idea is based on an old fire proof safe i have that the combo lock broke. i build a stand to mount the safe up on and cut a hole in the bottom of the safe to attach a toaster oven with the top cut out and attach it to match the hole in the safe. the controls for the oven would be easy access and since the heat rises it would warm the inside of the safe and when the stove got to the set temp the stove would shut off. since the oven would no doubt pick up the heat quicker than the safe there would be a head differential to what extent you would have to play with it. if the safe needs to be hotter  just crank up the stove temp a little more. since the safe in insulated against heat from the outside it should suffice in reverse you would think. just my dumb idea of a poor mans rod oven. the plus side is it could still double as a toaster oven in the shop for my steaks.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:A single wall of thin metal isn't going to insulate any at all.  You'd have to dump a lot of power into that tin can to keep the temperature up.  I'd try to modify it into a double wall can with lots of fiberglass insulation between the two walls.  Try to avoid too much metal connecting the inner and outer walls.  Maybe just tie them together at the door and put a few legs at the bottom to carry the weight.  Regular house fiberglass insulation with paper backing should be good at 350F (paper ignites around 450).  Loose fiberglass should be good way higher than that.If you had perfect insulation (not going to happen) the inside temperature would get up to the same temperature as your lightbulb (freaking HOT!).Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:Originally Posted by jbmprodswell you could think about the idea i have about building one. in principal it might work for you Kyleb. my idea is based on an old fire proof safe i have that the combo lock broke. i build a stand to mount the safe up on and cut a hole in the bottom of the safe to attach a toaster oven with the top cut out and attach it to match the hole in the safe. the controls for the oven would be easy access and since the heat rises it would warm the inside of the safe and when the stove got to the set temp the stove would shut off. since the oven would no doubt pick up the heat quicker than the safe there would be a head differential to what extent you would have to play with it. if the safe needs to be hotter  just crank up the stove temp a little more. since the safe in insulated against heat from the outside it should suffice in reverse you would think. just my dumb idea of a poor mans rod oven. the plus side is it could still double as a toaster oven in the shop for my steaks.
Reply:Double postDynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:Originally Posted by AndyADouble post
Reply:Originally Posted by jbmprodsnot really Andy. he asked for ideas on heating his and i told of my idea on how i am thinking about doing mine so he could have an idea on heating his. any discussion since will help him to overcome the same problems. my intention was/is not to hijack his thread but to give an alternate idea to his question and concerns. if he/you think my intention was to hijack his thread i sincerely apologize to Kyleb and all.....jim
Reply:Originally Posted by AndyAhahaha, I'm not complaining about you.  *I* did a double post, and then edited it out.  Stupid slow internet and I backed up and hit the submit again.
Reply:When I was in Welding School they had taken an old Refrigarator, put a light fixture on the inside, put a 100 watt bulb in it.  I don't know how hot it was but it seemed to be a good refurbish for an old appliance.  I bought a Rod oven and have never regretted the purchase.  Best of luck.
Reply:Originally Posted by chuck5121When I was in Welding School they had taken an old Refrigarator, put a light fixture on the inside, put a 100 watt bulb in it.  I don't know how hot it was but it seemed to be a good refurbish for an old appliance.  I bought a Rod oven and have never regretted the purchase.  Best of luck.
Reply:The thin sheet metal will lose heat quickly, use something with an insulation factor to it. The old fridge idea is a good one, have seen several of them in use. A small dorm fridge will work great if you don't have a large volume of rods to store or a kitchen size one if a larger volume is needed.A good place to look for one would be an appliance repair center that has one thats not worth fixing the compressor unit but the case is still sound. Heck, I built one one time from 1X6 tongue and groove wood and lined it with foil faced 1" styrofoam insulation, foil facing inside. It is about 2x2x3 feet with a 3/4" pywood top. I put a 60 watt bulb in it. I don't know what the temp was in it, but a few times I grabbed a handful of rods and stuck in my back pocket and burned my butt. Didn't do that more than twice I left it when I got transfered. That was in the early 90's and it's still in use there. We didn't need to keep alot of rods on hand be we did need to keep them dry.
Reply:Originally Posted by kyleb0789I have a stand up smoker that has all the shelfs in it and was thinking about making a rod oven out of it.  It is made out of thin metal and didnt know if it would hold the heat good enough. I was going to seal up all the vents in it and put a heat bulb in the top where the the vent is there. I also have a space heater that the heater works but the shell is busted and was thinking about putting that in the bottom with the fan still there to cerculate air. It has a thermostat on it so i thought mabey it wouldnt run all the time like the bulb would. But i also thought that may be a huge fire hazard. Does anybody have any other ideas on this project. Like how to keep the heat in better or how to heat it.
Reply:Store your rods near a dehumidifier..All this oven talk is just that.Unless what you do is inspected 3 ways to hell then a rod oven is a waste of power time and effort..If it is going to get inspected 3 ways to hell then get a new box at the start..Other than that don't worry about it unless it gets soaked in a rainstorm outside.Your LWS don't keep rods in a oven now do they?Humidity will affect anything inside or outside a plastic bag even if it is brandy new.I'M sure that there are those that will dispute this and that's OK..Have at it....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:I planned on getting an 18" or 24" long piece of 1/4" pipe to store my rods in whether I heat them or not, but I did plan on installing a 100 watt bulb in it anyway.
Reply:an old fridge with a bucket with a qt  of calcium chloride will suck the moisture out of then in a heart beat just when it comes time to change it out be-careful the liquid it will produce will f@#$ you up!Lincoln Power Arc 4000 Thermal Arc Fabricator 252 iThermal arc 186Thermal Arc 26 tigTweeko 200 amp spool gunHobart AirForce 400WP-17V-12R
Reply:Originally Posted by chuck5121When I was in Welding School they had taken an old Refrigarator, put a light fixture on the inside, put a 100 watt bulb in it.  I don't know how hot it was but it seemed to be a good refurbish for an old appliance.  I bought a Rod oven and have never regretted the purchase.  Best of luck.
Reply:If you check out some of the powder coating websites, you will find numerous plans for converting electric ovens to powder coat ovens.  Many of the plans refer to removing the heating and control elements and putting them in new metals cases.  The mineral wool insulation is available through building supply companies.  I think you could easily convert one of those plans to your use by designing the sheet metal specs to your size.  You can get the ovens from free to a few bucks.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterStore your rods near a dehumidifier..All this oven talk is just that.Unless what you do is inspected 3 ways to hell then a rod oven is a waste of power time and effort..If it is going to get inspected 3 ways to hell then get a new box at the start..Other than that don't worry about it unless it gets soaked in a rainstorm outside.Your LWS don't keep rods in a oven now do they?Humidity will affect anything inside or outside a plastic bag even if it is brandy new.I'M sure that there are those that will dispute this and that's OK..Have at it....zap!
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manYeah but, He who dies with the most toys.......And tbone550 has alot of mine!
Reply:Well since the smoker wont work i also have a dr pepper fridge that has glass doors. One of the glasses busted so its not good for much now so i thought i would put metal where the glass was and try it.Equipment:Lincoln Ranger 8Lincoln Power Mig 255Miller Diversion 165Hypertherm Powermax 45Victor Pro Series Torch setTons of other shop supplies
Reply:Used ceramic kilns are cheap. I use one for powdercoating and experimenting with heat treating. I have routeenly seen them on craigslist for $1-200. I built an electronic circuit using a type K thermocouple to control it:
Reply:No trouble getting it hot enough with the kiln!Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:I use a ceramic kiln for drying 7018s, then store 'em in Rod Guards. If I'm doing anything critical, I just open a new can. I just don't do enough stick welding to justify the electricity $$$ to run an oven 24-7.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clampsHas anybody ever tried putting something off of a wood stove to store rods in or just to dry them out and put them in something else to keep them dry?? Just a thought and havent ever heard of anybody doing it. Sure would save on the electric bill.Equipment:Lincoln Ranger 8Lincoln Power Mig 255Miller Diversion 165Hypertherm Powermax 45Victor Pro Series Torch setTons of other shop supplies