"Christopher Tidy" wrote in message
...
Thanks for the responses. Which is more important, the long bake at
red heat or the super-slow cooling?

I could put the HSS in a crucible and dial back the power a little
each hour using a variac.

Chris

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KT9RZFJ/ref=dp_cerb_2
There are many choices, this one has a short URL.

Carbon fiber insulation is much more durable and may be easier to find
locally. It conducts electricity so I couldn't use it near the oven's
exposed heater wiring.
https://www.amazon.com/Carbon-Weldin...3149508&sr=8-8

I've used wood stove cement to insulate high temperature
thermocouples.