hot bed

[bignissan]

Has anyone built a hot bed for slow heating/cooling of axle housings and such to reduce/prevent warping?

[HalfFastFord]

Has anyone built a hot bed for slow heating/cooling of axle housings and such to reduce/prevent warping?
too labor intensive, if you're that worried about warping, have it cryo'ed. much easier to have someone else do it.

[bignissan]

how does cyro treating prevent warping? The best way to weld an axle housing/casting is to pre-heat the heck out of it then let it cool very slowly...usually in a nice oven, was just wondering how tough it would be to build a sand box type.

[guidolyons]

My buddy built a large powder coat oven for motorcycle frame, probably similar to what you are thinking. Used ceramic fire brick in the inside, with steel outer and used 4 electric oven heating elements w/ theromstats so he can keep it 400-450*F. Sorry no pics...but maybe that's an idea. I would say it would be cost prohibitive for just one axle housing though.

I have seen people use sand for post cooling, just a big plywood box with sand, drop the hot housing in and cover with a heavy layer of sand. The sand absorbs the heat and then cools slowly.

[bignissan]

I wouldn't do it for just one axle, but I'm always looking for cool new tools to build/buy and even if I don't use them someone else does :)