New furnace up and running (pictures)

kevingambrell · 06-06-2007

HI

just put together the new furnace for smelting brass and iron.

At the hotest point of the burn the pot was a orange white or around 2300 F.

Fired for the first time today worked a treat and looked good on the lite up.

Cheers Kevin

alan2525 · 06-06-2007

Looks great - It's like a little recreation of the industrial revolution taking place - amongst the petunias!

Hope you got permission from she who must be obeyed first!

Images an industrial slag heap next to the rose borders!

I bet that thing would do a fine job making sure the sausages and burgers are cooked right through too!

**Bunkerbarge** · 07-06-2007

What's the heat source Kevin?

kevingambrell · 07-06-2007

Hi Alan

LOL yup it takes some convincing to get permission to build a foundry in the flower garden.

The best part has to be the feeling one gets after cracking open the first smoking cope and drag and seeing a gleaming gunmetal eccentric strap. The fact that it cost nothing to make is another nice feeling.

producing half a dozen iron plant rack hanger things is a pain in the backside but its a small price to pay or so im told.

Cheers kevin

kevingambrell · 07-06-2007

Hi Richard

I use good grade charcoal, not the Tescos stuff as it just dosnt have the body to generate high temperatures.
The charcoal i use is produced localy by a chap that still uses propper charcoal ovens and not tin plate hoppers.

I use two air pipes one to bring the melt to a toffee consistancy and the second only being turned on to get the melt to a poorable temperature.

One good charge of charcoal is enough I just fill the furnace t the top with the pot buried in the middle by the time its burnt half way through its as a rule ready to use.
Iron takes a bit more and a little longer to get to poorable temperature.

If your into getting dirty this really is a great way to spend a weekend with the pattern making and the sanboxes adding a lot to the interest of teh job.

Plus i never have to think about finding castings for odd parts I just make a pattern and cast it.

Cheers kevin

jankers · 08-06-2007

kevin, What dimensions?, what do you use for temperature control and monitoring, do you use bellows or a vacuum cleaner as a blower? Sorry if i have missed these, just point tp the thread if so. J.

kevingambrell · 08-06-2007

Hi Jankers

The furnace is a brick square with over lap so about 9inch by 9inch, just big enough to get a charge in with the crucible. depth wise its 18 inches and can be built up to 28 inches for iron.

Temperature isnt monitored, looking down into the furnace the melt can be seen if the crucible lid is lifted. Colour wise a close idea can be got.

As the melt starts to go to a semi molten state the air flow is lifted to bring the melt up to a temperatue high enough to poor.

I use two variable speed blowers both from old radar sets but a vacuum cleaner would do the job just as well.

Its surprising how narrow the band is between too much air and too little air. Too much and the fuel burns away too fast and too little leaves a cold pot.

It really is a feel thing, it took me a few melts to get the hang of it but once it fell into place its a pleasure to do.

to give you an idea of the heat from this, it takes almost 24 hours for the furnace to cool to the point of being comfortable to work on!

cheers Kevin

kevingambrell · 08-06-2007

Just in passing a note on safety.

I make little effort to be modern in anything I do but the one thing I do every time is use modern safety gear.
I have a full face shield leather spats for my legs and a full leather jacket. My gloves are huge and made from chrome leather, nice as splashes dont stick easily.

Every thing must be bone dry no water or damp surfaces molten iron or brass can fall on. IT WILL EXPLODE!

Cheers kevin

alan2525 · 08-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevingambrell

to give you an idea of the heat from this, it takes almost 24 hours for the furnace to cool to the point of being comfortable to work on!

I bet you 'd still have enough heat to toast a celebratory marshmallow or two after pouring a successful casting!

jankers · 09-06-2007

Thanks Kevin, i have toyed with the idea of a furnace but your description suggests it would be unwise to build it in the back yard, more so as we have two young cats. and keeping it dry would be almost impossible. Good luck with your castings. J.