Furnace build regarding moly's largely

[Lawrence Duckworth]

just completed the first pot change on the 200lb moly. I found 3 air tubes partially blocked with debris….(no inlet filter at blower)...something to keep an eye on in the future.

also was able to add 20 sq. ft. of insulation to the top

[Pete VanderLaan]

The air cooling methodology is pretty flakey. I think that using the copper buss bar for power distribution is better and keeps those things cooler. I am rebuilding mine this fall and expect to find my insulation to be in bad shape as well.

[Pete VanderLaan]

Thanks Lawrence, I think that really helps. James Burt has bought the 22.5 KW electric package from me and I'm trying to convey how that front plate works. I've advised him to get the plate and then design around it since he wants to bring the 24 inch pot out the front ( What a concept) . Mine, on the 28 inch electric package tilts back a bit on the back of that casting but presents in essentially the same way as yours. That's a great sequence, thank you.

I really will miss my moly.

I'm about to start a medium size gas unit using an 80 lb pot and two 11 inch pots for the time Scott and I will melt enamels if there is an interest.I could use it as a permanent smaller furnace as opposed to the larger one. It will use a recuperation system Charlie Correll is building. I'll do it from the first weld if there is an interest.

Otherwise I'll just build it.

[Greg Brown]

hi we just got a new to us Moly and of course one of the things that need replacing is the thermocouple...are there any of these still available? and if so where....we're in Canada near Ottawa

[Richard Huntrods]

Originally Posted by Greg Brown

hi we just got a new to us Moly and of course one of the things that need replacing is the thermocouple...are there any of these still available? and if so where....we're in Canada near Ottawa

Good luck. They are priced somewhere above "unobtanium" new, if you can even get one of the industrial suppliers to return your call.

They still exist as industrial processes requiring platinum thermocouples are stil in abundance. It just, as I say, the price is astronomical in Canada.

I had to switch to a type K (about $50 CDN from pottery supply place) when my type S died for the above reasons.

[Kevin McLeod]

These folks helped me:

Krumor, Inc.
7655 Hub Parkway
Valley View, OH 44125
T: 216.328.9802
W: www.krumor.com
Email: sales@krumor.com

[Mark Armstrong]

Try PSH, Pottery Supply House, in Oakville. I have not purchased one in years, but they always used to be reasonable for thermocouples

[Pete VanderLaan]

I would advise strongly against purchasing any type R, or S that was finer than a 22 gauge wire. It's simply too fragile. Mine, all 18 gauge have held up 30 plus years.

That entire thread is inadequate as I look back on it and will try to bring it up to snuff in the book.

[Rick Kellner]

Expense aside, the problem I had when I was gathering quotes for type R thermocouples was that I was hard pressed to find a place that would build one out of a wire gauge thicker than around 24 ga. I can only assume that it is a means of keeping the pricing from going too high into the stratosphere.

So far, I am having luck with the previously loved TCs which I have acquired over the years. Maybe it's a gamble, but at least the initial cost was more enticing.

It would be interesting to learn how to make these things.

[Kevin McLeod]

Krumor will build them in whatever diameter wire you ask them to. I got quotes from them for both 24ga w/ alumina tube ($394) and 20ga w/ mullite tube ($891)

[Pete VanderLaan]

Mine, antiques are all 18 gauge. I cannot imagine what they would cost now, forty years later. Those of us old guys really are from Earth 2. Crucibles, $18.00 dollars, big ones. Soda Ash .02 cent a lb. We were terrified of the costs. My gas bill was $90 dollars a month. My Apt? 39 bucks. It's always scary/