The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Drying and Processing => Topic started by: logboy on November 09, 2015, 09:23:55 PM

Title: DH Kiln Doors
Post by: logboy on November 09, 2015, 09:23:55 PM
When I built my kiln I was in a hurry and on a budget crunch so I skimped on the doors. They're two 10' wide by 8' doors framed out of full dimension 2x6 with 6" of high density foam inside for a value of R30 (im in NW Wisconsin where it's frozen 5 months a year). Needless to say the environment inside the kiln along with the constant use have taken their toll.  I need to build something new and when I'm swapping out kiln charges swap the doors sometime this winter. I'm always at least a kiln load or two out in the future with orders so downtime is not an option to sit and experiment or troubleshoot something new for very long.

I've seen guys who have had an aluminum frame welded up and then foam sheets glued to it.  I saw someone else use 1" square tubing welded into a frame with sheet metal on the outside.  I'm thinking the new doors will be overlay instead of inset so I can gain 6" on each side for loading. I do mostly slabs of odd shapes and sizes so room is always a challenge. I'd rather not do bifolds. More moving parts and doors to seal are not a net plus. Im open to tried and true ideas for the frame work.

What should I use for seals? Someone told me kiln direct has good, durable seals at a decent price.
Title: Re: DH Kiln Doors
Post by: WDH on November 10, 2015, 07:53:47 AM
Nyle has a door kit with aluminum angle and heavy duty rubber seals that work great to seal the doors.  You can use a trailer door cam lock to press the door to the seals.
Title: Re: DH Kiln Doors
Post by: Cazzhrdwd on November 10, 2015, 08:00:15 PM
I was going to put doors together made out of aluminum but ended up with just a 2x6 wood frame with 3 inches of rigid foam and 2 inches of sprayfoam over that. I put plywood on the outside for stability but was really impressed how the sprayfoam brought it all together. The doors are light and sturdy. My kiln is working for about 40 days so I just stuff 3/4 pipe foam where the two doors come together and 1/2 in insulation rope at the hinge area.

Title: Re: DH Kiln Doors
Post by: caveman on November 10, 2015, 08:31:32 PM
Used fire hose can be had for free and seems to be a pretty good seal.
Caveman
Title: Re: DH Kiln Doors
Post by: logboy on November 11, 2015, 02:25:13 PM
Quote from: WDH on November 10, 2015, 07:53:47 AM
Nyle has a door kit with aluminum angle and heavy duty rubber seals that work great to seal the doors.  You can use a trailer door cam lock to press the door to the seals.

Thanks for the heads up. I need to call Nyle anyway and find out why my L200 controller is emitting a high pitched whining noise when the heater kicks on.