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DeOrellana · 09-30-2016, 10:11 AM

Work on the oven continues. I found several how-tos on the web about building your own powder coat oven, and I decided to use steel framing as I mentioned in a previous post. Most of the how-tos use steel rivets to hold the framing together.

Initially I decided to use screws to hold the framing together, and then replace the screws with rivets. Steel rivets, as it turns out, are expensive and not easy to come by, thus the decision to go with self tapping screws. So I squared up the base and grabbed my power screw driver.

Four screws later, I said forget that and tried to figure out other options. Once the screws were in place, I didn't feel that the structure held its angular integrity very well. After considering my options, I decided welding the pieces together was the best way forward. At first I was going to tack the pieces together with the MIG since it's my welder of choice, but welding thin galvanized steel isn't fun with the gases and fumes that it creates. In the end I decided on hauling out my beast of a spot welder from hibernation.

I bought the spot welder for next to nothing from a body shop that was going out of business a few years back, but I haven't used it all that much. One of the problems with it is that it draws 25A while welding, and the service to the house is 25A. So whenever I need to weld I have to go around the house and shop and turn everything off, including lights and heater. I still blew a fuse today - forgot to turn off the compressor. The spot welder uses shop air to clamp the two pieces together before applying the power (two stage trigger) and the two metal pieces are fused.

The end result turned out rather good, and with both sides spot welded it made for very strong corners.

Soon after I had a perfectly square rectangular base. The base is 120x100cm (47x40in). The inside of the oven will be 100x90x100cm (40x35x40 in).

The cross beams were spaced at 30cm (12in) and spotted in place.

The end result was an extremely rigid base made from steel studs.

And another shop tip - do not leave your digital camera on a spot welder while you're working.

Gordon Dewald · 09-30-2016, 10:26 AM

Am really enjoying the pictures and descriptive text.

Franka548 · 09-30-2016, 02:28 PM

Nice start Erik, I am amazed at the quality of your work.
Frank

DeOrellana · 10-01-2016, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon Dewald

Am really enjoying the pictures and descriptive text.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franka548

Nice start Erik, I am amazed at the quality of your work.
Frank

Thanks Guys!

DeOrellana · 10-01-2016, 01:54 AM

Got in some work before breakfast today. I used the bottom as a guide and built the top of the oven. The top doesn't have to support any weight, so I placed the studs 40cm apart. The studs and framing were cut doubled up on a band saw and then assembled on top of the bottom.

The spot welder made quick work of attaching the pieces. The top and bottom are now matched in size and squareness.

greggshere · 10-01-2016, 05:28 AM

You are so talented! I love your wide array of super cool tools.

Franka548 · 10-01-2016, 06:50 AM

Erik,
Are those metal construction studs?
Frank

Steverino · 10-01-2016, 07:10 AM

Just wanted to say I'm still really enjoying this thread. Gotta make room for some shop time...

DeOrellana · 10-01-2016, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franka548

Erik,
Are those metal construction studs?
Frank

Yes they are.

DeOrellana · 10-01-2016, 10:29 AM

Continuing the work on the oven today I mocked up the size of the oven as a trial. I placed an Elandan rim in it to get an idea of the size. It feels right.

After that I ran out of steel framing studs so no more oven work until I can get more on Monday.

There's not much I can do on the lathe until I get a new oven, so I spent most of the shop time installing various levers and the right/left hand threading gears. I will still need to adjust them inside the gearbox, but they feel good.

And then it happened - I got a message from somebody that they had just bought a new oven, and would I like their old one. And he would deliver it. I love living in a small town! I still need to rewire it for the shop, but YEAY!

This oven is fully functional, and I guess my old one will become spare parts for the new powder coating oven. Today was a good day!

Franka548 · 10-01-2016, 11:59 AM

Great news Erik, some days are just a whole lot better than others.
Frank

DeOrellana · 10-02-2016, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franka548

Great news Erik, some days are just a whole lot better than others.
Frank

That's true. You can have a number of setbacks, and all it takes is one thing to turn it around to a good day.

Franka548 · 10-02-2016, 04:47 AM

Keep up the good work, I am enjoying following your projects.
Frank

rickf · 10-02-2016, 12:50 PM

Are there any plans to move back to the motor home restoration? The last five or six pages have wandered off to other restos. I was really hoping to see you take the sides apart since that is what I need to do to correct severe delamination on mine. I want to peel the outer skin back and remove the rotted wood and replace it as best I can and put the skin back down.