Cool find at estate sale a furnace

[Bodfish Mike]

Had to buy it at $5.00 bucks

Its marked

WESGO
Type 12
120 Volts
serial # 275
Max Watts 550
WESTERN GOLD & PLATINUM WORKS
San Francisco Calif

Power cord needs some fixin - I'm thinking it may be wrapped in asbestos ?
Gloves n95 will be used.

Going to fix cord and see if it works or trips a breaker.

Cheers Mike

 

[russau]

What a unexpected great find !

 

[unclemac]

have fun, 15-20 amps should be good.

 

[N-Lionberger]

If you’re cleaning up Asbestos get it wet first.

 

[Eldorado USA]

Great find.hopefully you can get it going.
Ten years ago a passed on a free ceramic furnace. It was big.I should have got it for roasting ores at least. 😥

 

[Bodfish Mike]

Update

Fixed the cord plugged it on low in got hot - three setting low, med, high.
However the gauge did not work - so apart it comes
Found the problem a very fine wire had come loose so I soldered it back in place.

Powered it up and everything works no breakers tripped.

Now comes the dangerous part - I'm going to try to melt some gold

Cheers Mike

 

[Tpmetal]

Had to buy it at $5.00 bucks

Its marked

WESGO
Type 12
120 Volts
serial # 275
Max Watts 550
WESTERN GOLD & PLATINUM WORKS
San Francisco Calif

Power cord needs some fixin - I'm thinking it may be wrapped in asbestos ?
Gloves n95 will be used.

Going to fix cord and see if it works or trips a breaker.

Cheers Mike

I fix and maintain high temperature kilns and furnaces for a living. If you have any questions let me know. The thing is insulated in ceramic wool which is very very bad stuff...equal to or worse than asbestos. Any kiln brick is also bad stuff so stay away from that dust as well. Usually people quit on these things when an element burns out, or the controller dies. Every so often someone not so bright throws one out because of a simple bad relay or loose terminal connection, so you might get lucky and have a quick fix.

 

[boogeyman]

Update

Fixed the cord plugged it on low in got hot - three setting low, med, high.
However the gauge did not work - so apart it comes
Found the problem a very fine wire had come loose so I soldered it back in place.

Powered it up and everything works no breakers tripped.

Now comes the dangerous part - I'm going to try to melt some gold

Cheers Mike

Apply a liberal amount of common sense and you'll be ok.

 

[detectorcowboy]

You stole it for 5 bucks

 

[russau]

YES INDEED A GREAT FIND !!!