Now it may be because I spent all my working life as a (sort of) metallurgist but I have been feeling the need for a heat treatment kiln (furnace, muffle) call it what you will. I've followed a few on ebay but finally plumped for this mostly because it has a PID controller, which most of the 2nd hand ones don't:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310922375462It goes up to 1000C (1832F). Temperature control is surprisingly good. I had it up to 900C and then came down in 50C steps to try and anneal an iron casting with some hard spots. Temp stabilised quickly at +/- 1 degree. Should be fine for heat treating BeCu and hardening and tempering tool steel. Turn it on its side and I reckon I could get a crucible of aluminium in there, big enough for casting pistons or aero engine bits.
I took some time to decide on this: the company are based in London, it's made in the UK (although I am sure many of the bits are imported) but it seems clear that English is not their native tongue. Nevertheless, I am pleased with the kiln and they have some other interesting stuff on their web site.
Cheers,
Rod