Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Homebrew PCBs

previous by date index next by date
previous in topic topic list next in topic

Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Thermal insulation for a toaster oven

From: Stefan Trethan <stefan_trethan@...>
Date: 2012-03-10

One more thing to be aware of is that building insulation type wool
often has binders added to keep the shape. This will burn off at low
temperatures so you may want to let this happen outside.

Ceramic high temperature wool would be the ideal solution of course.

ST

On Sat, Mar 10, 2012 at 11:35 AM, Paul Whatton <paul@...> wrote:
> Hi Frank
>
> I have a kiln here which I fire up to 1260C. (I don't put my PCBs in it
> BTW!) It is constructed from fire bricks, ceramic fiber insulation and a
> stainless steel skin. At the extreme high end the insulation makes a lot
> of difference to how well firings work and whether the kiln reaches its
> max temperature at all. (BTW I have never done it, I use the kiln to
> make pots, but I guess I have the technology to make custom high voltage
> porcelain or glass standoff insulators).
>
> In kilns the electronic controller is usually in a seperate box and
> connected to the heating elements and thermocouple by a cable so you
> might want to consider making your oven two piece?
>
> I would suggest ceramic fiber is the right stuff for the job, it will be
> safe at the "low" :-) temperatures used for PCB work and won't catch fire.
>
> I don't know how big your toaster oven is? But it wouldn't be that
> expensive to do. On ebay UK cut ceramic fiber is available & piece a
> metre x 60cm and 25mm thick, costs about GBP10.00 plus postage. Ceramic
> kiln "paper" 2mm or 3mm thick is also available in cut pieces and might
> be suitable for the gaps inside the case and for protecting the electronics?
>
> Or how about ceramic exhaust tape? a roll 2mm thick, 10m long & 2" wide
> is about GBP 10.00.
>
> Regards
>
> Paul
>
> On 10/03/2012 03:48, ftkalcevic wrote:
>>
>> I'd like to improve the efficiency of my cheap toaster oven.
>>
>> I suspect it is like all ovens - a thin sheet metal oven in a thin
>> sheet metal enclosure. And no thermal protection around the control
>> electrics.
>>
>> I'd like to use a thermal insulator, either wrapped around the oven,
>> or just something stuffed into the gap between oven and shell. I'd
>> also like to protect the gap on the right where electronics will go.
>>
>> Any idea what kind of cheap insulator I can use for that? I've used
>> ceramic blanket before, but a strip 50mm wide was very expensive.
>>
>> Is household fibreglass insulation wool capable of withstanding the
>> 300C+ temps?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Frank
>>
>>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>