Salt Bath Series
The salt bath heat treat process involves immersing your steel blade, firearm component or work piece into a bath of molten salts. Once immersed, the work piece quickly reaches the proper hardening temperature.
The work is then allowed to soak in this molten bath for the amount of time you desire. Once the soak is completed the work is pulled for further quenching and processing.
The salt bath process provides an oxygen-free environment and temperature distribution around the work piece is phenomenal.
WARNING: While the salt bath process offers advantages it does come with some hazards, notably the possibility of the molten salts erupting from the salt pot (vessel that contains the molten salt). This creates a burn and fire hazard as well as risk of personal injury or death. Before committing to salt bath heat treating be aware of these potential hazards. For detailed information on this and other risks and hazards of salt bath use please refer to the Manuals link on this page and read the manual.
Features
TAP Control w/ Dedicated Salt Bath Software
The salt bath process requires a control feature-set not found in ordinary temperature controls. The manufacturers of the TAP control (SDS Industries) have designed their control with these enhanced, salt bath features.
The TAP control allows for multiple thermocouples to control via both the firing chamber and salt bath environments along with a separate over-temp circuit for ultimate safety. SDS also modified their software to work exclusively with our Quiet Drive Solid State relay system to give tighter temperature control, extended heating element life and expected lifetime operation.
Immersion Thermocouple
Evenheat salt bath kilns use a dedicated immersion thermocouple designed to control the heat treat process temperature by directly measuring the temperature of the molten salts. While initial heat-up is controlled via the chamber thermocouple, heat treat (molten) temperature is controlled via the immersion thermocouple. Once the salts become molten, temperature control is switched to the immersion thermocouple for precise bath temperature control.
The immersion thermocouple is supplied with a mount that allows it to be properly positioned on the lip of the salt pot.
Chamber Thermocouple
Evenheat salt bath kilns are designed with a separate chamber thermocouple to control the salt bath kiln during the initial pre-molten stage of the salt bath process.
Controlling the pre-molten stage via the chamber temperature allows for reliable and ultimately safe operation. Once the salts become molten, temperature control is then switched over to the immersion thermocouple for precise bath temperature control.
Over-Temperature Thermocouple
The addition of an Over-temp (high-limit) thermocouple adds to the safety factor built into every salt bath kiln.
The over-temp thermocouple circuit is designed to abort the process in the event of exceeding the process temperature.
Grounded Salt Pot & Thermocouples
To protect you against any electrical faults Evenheat has provided electrical grounds on the salt pot and all thermocouples. If a fault (short circuit) occurs the grounding of these features safely dissipates electrical energy.
Evenheat salt bath kilns produce heat electrically via heating elements placed into the firing chamber walls. The nature of the salt bath process exposes the user to electrically conductive features such as the salt pot, molten salts and thermocouples. Each of these features extend into and out of the electrically charged firing chamber. Any fault within the heating element causing it to make contact with any of these features will cause them to conduct electricity, hence the grounding.
Evenheat does offer salt pots for sale that are equipped with grounding hardware included. If you intend to provide your own salt pot we require that a grounding mechanism be included in your design.
Drip Shields
Pulling a work piece from a salt bath generally brings some of the molten salt out with it in the form of some drops and slight run-off. This is called drag-out: it's hot, it's liquid and it's damaging.
Allowing drag-out to make contact with the firebrick lid, control panels and worst of all the controller faceplate, causes extensive damage. For this reason Evenheat provides our salt bath kilns with replaceable, stainless steel drip shields on both the lid and control panel. The drip shields take the hits, not the kiln!
Swing View Equipped
The TAP control is fitted within our Swing View adjustable control enclosure. The swing view is a pivoting, swing-up enclosure that allows the user to rotate the TAP control up to a comfortable viewing and programming angle and then place it back down for salt bath operation. Once down, the TAP control is protected from drag-out via our control panel drip shield and can easily be seen from across your shop. It's that simple.
The swing view allows us to position the TAP control at the top of the salt bath kiln for relaxed and easy use. No crouching or squinting needed.
Quiet Drive Solid State Relay Equipped
All Salt Bath models are standard equipped with our Quiet Drive Solid State relay system. The salt bath process can be a lengthy process and traditional, hard-contact mechanical relays tend to fail early and always at the wrong time. The solid state relays have no moving parts and are expected to last the life of the kiln.
Solid state also offers the benefit of tighter temperature control as they can be switched on and off very, very quickly, whereas hard-contact, mechanical relays can't. The Quiet Drive is arguably the best designed and best performing solid state system on the market.
Sectional Design
We've designed the chamber of the salt bath kilns to be easily disassembled. As much as we never want to see it happen damage to your chamber can occur, particularly with a salt pot that has sprung a leak. Each section of the chamber and floor is secured to each other through the use of stainless plates.
Maintenance Parts Tag
To assist you in replacing worn items we have included a maintenance parts tag indicating the proper Evenheat part numbers for anticipated maintenance items.
Wish we had this decades ago.
Salt Pot Access Hole
Salt Bath kilns can use a variety of salt pot diameters. Given that, you have a choice on the lid access hole. We do offer 3 standard sizes along with custom sizes.
All models are standard equipped with a 4.75" access hole in the lid, suitable for a 4" ID salt pot.
We offer as standard a 5.813" hole for 5" pots and 6.875" hole for 6" pots. Additional lids are available by request with access holes to fit other diameters as well as lids with no access holes that allow you to create the exact fit for your custom salt pot.
Loud Alarm Output Jack
A Loud Alarm output jack is included to connect our optional Loud Alarm. Enjoy 80db of irritating alarm bliss.
Build Options
Voltage Options
Our default production for Salt Bath 709 is 120V.
Our default production for Salt Bath 718 and Salt Bath 818 is 240V, Single Phase.
We do offer to build some Salt Bath models in 208V, 220V and 230V by request.
The TAP control on the Salt Bath models will operate properly on both 50Hz and 60Hz line frequencies. To say it another way, line frequency has no effect. It doesn't matter.
Evenheat recommends that you check your operating voltage before ordering or placing the salt bath kiln in service.
Voltage Phase Options
Salt Bath models models are produced in a single phase design only.
3 phase Delta and Wye (380V, 400V and 415V) designs are not available.
Specifications
Salt Bath 709
The Salt Bath 709 with it's relatively shallow depth of 9" was designed for the folder knife maker but is equally at home for any short steels.
Chamber Dimensions:
7" W x 7" L x 9" D - 0.26 Cubic Feet
(17.8cm W x 17.8cm W x 22.9cm H - 7.4L)
Outside Dimensions:
18" W x 13" L x 23" H
(45.7cm W x 33cm L x 58.4cm H)
Maximum Use Temperature:
2000°F (1093°C)
Salt Pot Suggestions:
Will accept salt pots up to 5.5" OD.
Thinner, Schedule 40 316 Stainless Steel is preferred.
Salt pot depth should be close to 16".
Salt pot must be grounded. See manual for details.
Standard Electrical:
120 Volts, 18 Amps, 2160 Watts, 50/60Hz, Single Phase
Power Cord Plug Configuration - NEMA 5-20
Weight:
60lb. (27.3Kg) - Approx.
Shipping Method:
Freight Truck
California Prop 65
Evenheat kiln products may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Salt Bath 718
The Salt Bath 718 allows for salt pots up to 5" OD and operates from a very friendly 240V, 20A circuit.
Chamber Dimensions:
7" W x 7" L x 18" D - 0.51 Cubic Feet
(17.8cm W x 17.8cm W x 45.7cm H - 14.4L)
Outside Dimensions:
18" W x 13" L x 32" H
(45.7cm W x 33cm L x 81.3cm H)
Maximum Use Temperature:
2000°F (1093°C)
Salt Pot Suggestions:
Will accept salt pots up to 5.5" OD.
Thinner, Schedule 40 316 Stainless Steel is preferred.
Salt pot depth should be close to 25".
Salt pot must be grounded. See manual for details.
Standard Electrical:
240 Volts, 18 Amps, 4320 Watts, 50/60Hz, Single Phase
Power Cord Plug Configuration - NEMA 6-20
Weight:
110lb. (55Kg) - Approx.
Shipping Method:
Freight Truck
California Prop 65
Evenheat kiln products may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Salt Bath 818
The Salt Bath 818 is our best selling salt bath model. It will take up to a 6" OD pot.
Chamber Dimensions:
8" W x 8" L x 18" D - 0.67 Cubic Feet
(20.3cm W x 20.3cm W x 45.7cm H - 18.9L)
Outside Dimensions:
19" W x 14" L x 32" H
(48.3cm W x 35.6cm L x 81.3cm H)
Maximum Use Temperature:
2000°F (1093°C)
Salt Pot Suggestions:
Will accept salt pots up to 6.5" OD.
Thinner, Schedule 40 316 Stainless Steel is preferred.
Salt pot depth should be close to 25".
Salt pot must be grounded. See manual for details.
Standard Electrical:
240 Volts, 30 Amps, 7200 Watts, 50/60Hz, Single Phase
Power Cord Plug Configuration - NEMA 6-50
Weight:
125lb. (57Kg) - Approx.
Shipping Method:
Freight Truck
California Prop 65
Evenheat kiln products may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Accessories
Stainless Steel Salt Pots
Evenheat offers salt pots fabricated from 316 Stainless Steel. We generally see the thinner Schedule 40 wall preferred over the thicker Schedule 80 wall. We have access to both.
Salt pots for the Salt Bath 709 model are 16" deep inside.
Salt pots for the Salt Bath 718 and 818 models are 25" deep inside.
Please limit the salt pot OD to 5.5" on Salt Bath 709 and 718.
Please limit the salt pot OD to 6.5" on Salt Bath 818.
We fully expect many to fabricate their own salt pots and that's very acceptable. If you intend to fabricate or source your salt pot we recommend fabricating it from 316 stainless steel. 316 is chosen for its relatively better corrosion resistance. You're free to choose another material, but any alternate material must be made of an electrically conductive material.
Evenheat salt pots are designed to extend at least 1-1/2" above the top surface of the kiln lid. This added length allows for placement of the salt pot ground and mounting of the immersion thermocouple. If you provide your own salt pot please make sure your design includes this feature.
Evenheat salt pots include a 1/4" hole, drilled 3/4" down from the lip of the pot to provide a mounting point for salt pot grounding hardware. Salt pot grounding hardware is all stainless steel and consists of a 1/4-20 x 1" bolt, lockwasher, nut, flatwashers and a wingnut. As the salt pot ground is subject to corrosion and replacement when necessary, this hardware is very common and readily available from local sources.
Loud Alarm Option
The Loud Alarm adds 80db of irritatingly blissful alarm noise to the otherwise anemic on-board control alarm. Shops are noisy and the Loud Alarm rips through and lets you know when it's time to act. Never miss another quench.
The loud alarm attaches and plugs easily into your TAP or Rampmaster equipped control panel and can easily be added at any time.