KM-18T Knife Making Kiln
Uses: Knife Making
THIS KILN NOW SHIPS WITH THE SENTINEL TOUCH SCREEN CONTROLLER INSTALLED!
In 1986 we introduced the KM-14D, our first knifemaking kiln. We are proud to offer the KM-18T, with an 18” long interior. It should be the perfect size furnace for those who need one that is between the 14 1/2” long KM-14T and the 24” long KM-24T.
Long lasting solid state relay
The KM18T now has a solid state relay, which lasts far longer than a standard mechanical relay. The solid state relay has no moving parts to wear out. The first thing you will notice is that the solid state relay is silent. You will hear just the reassuring hum of elements. The solid state relay makes heating elements last longer and offers better temperature control during holds.
Test exotic heat treating formulas
When you own a Paragon KM-18T furnace, you can live the knife making adventure to the fullest. You will actually witness the birth of your knives in the bright red heat of the furnace. The soul is born in the furnace, because the heat treating brings out the highest qualities of the steel.
Many knifemakers enjoy owning a furnace, because they can revel in testing. They put blades through tests more severe than any knife owner would dare. Yes, they test for Rockwell hardness, but they don’t stop there. The serious knifemaker tests the knife against hemp rope and 2x4s. They bend the blade to 45° or even 90°. Then they straighten the blade, slap on a handle and test it in the real world.
The knife maker with a KM-series furnace can try exotic heat treating methods at his leisure. Does quenching in dry ice improve blade performance? What happens when 52100 steel is triple-quenched with a one-day wait between each quench? After this treatment, will a 52100 blade bend to 90° without chipping?
With a Paragon furnace in your shop, all questions about heat treating formulas are settled. Heat treating is no longer theory. You find out for yourself what works. Testing and heat treating is at the heart of the knife making adventure. Here is where your confidence as a knife maker takes root. Through heat treating, you can master a tool steel and make it your own.
Experiment with differential hardening, an ancient bladesmith technique. Try out the newest tool steels. Are they really as good as the tried and true D2 and A2? Paragon’s knifemaking furnaces are now rated to 2350 degrees F, so you can heat treat as hot as you need to.
Door safety switch
The door micro safety switch shuts off the power to the elements when the door is opened, yet the controller continues to give a temperature readout. The safety switch is standard on Paragon KM furnaces.
Choose a side swing door or a drop door (We will verify this with you by phone after your purchase)
You can order a Paragon knifemaking furnace with either a drop door or a side-swing door. (The photo above shows the traditional drop door.)
Solid furnace constructionThe furnace is insulated with 3” thick refractory firebrick, which is 1/2” thicker than the standard. The elements are mounted in dropped, recessed grooves machined into the firebrick. This groove protects the element for long life and low maintenance. Elements are simple to replace because they can be lifted directly from the groove. You can replace elements following instructions in the printed manual. The firing chamber is protected by a rigid steel case. A built-in solid stand lifts the firing chamber safely off your worktable. The thermocouple wire is kept inside the control box for protection from the harsh environment of the typical bladesmith shop. Printed instruction manualsYour furnace includes a wiring diagram, a controller instruction manual, and a heat treating manual with heat treating instructions for D2, 440C, ATS 34 and 154 CM. The manuals are written in plain English for the beginner. Made in AmericaAll Paragon furnaces are made in Mesquite, Texas USA. We are proud to support the American worker. Optional Gas Injection Flow MeterDuring heat treating, scale forms on the surface of the steel. One way to eliminate most scaling is to wrap the steel in stainless steel foil. Another way is to install the gas injection flow meter on your furnace. It is available as either an add-on kit, or you can order the furnace with the meter installed. The meter regulates the flow of an inert gas, such as argon, inside the furnace. The gas displaces the oxygen to prevent some of the scaling. For more details, click on the link in the Options section below. The knifemaking KitIn addition to the furnace, you will need a Knifemaking Kit, which separates the blades and holds them parallel inside the furnace.
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Specifications
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