Recent content by Bovine

Jixxerbill, I have seen the burners for propane but for now I think I will stay with this basic method.

Terrywerm, My shopvac is my only air source I could muster. Another reason for only pointing the shop vac is because of the plastic tube. I did place my crucible in the furnace and packed charcoal around it an was able to manage 1200 degrees. I will keep you posted on how it turns out.

My first blow with @6lbs of charcol could only maintain 1200*F for a couple of minutes. I don't see a way to melt aluminum with that temp using about a two pound crucible.

I grew impatient. I justified the fact if using minimal water in the mix for a short dry time. It cured after only 10 hours. I now need to tackle the issue if tongs. Anyone have any pictures for inspiration?

I sacrificed a vacume wand for the tuyere opening. Manufacturer suggests at least 10 hours for a complete set before putting the heat to it. I will have to keep the temperature below the boiling point of water until it is completely dryed out.

I mixed the refractory to manufacture's specifications for tamping, which was 9-10 pints per 100lbs. The consistancy was pretty grainy but it tamped well. I liked using a 2x3" piece of lumber more than a 1" piece of bar stock.

Ron, I made the decision to use the three, 1" holes in the lid for venting. Hopefully heat will stayin and I will have to slide the lid to load ingots.

Lid is tamped with refractory.

I came across this the other day. Calibrated in F*

Talked myself into boxing out the tuyere opening. Oh, my welds need grinding...

To make preparations to install the tuyere, I drove a wooden peg into the center of a 3/4" bung to index my whole saw. I am not sure at this point wether I will file the hole to fit the tuyere insert or box it out so I have a square flange to attach the burner.

Does anyone have a suggestion for the exhaust port diameter in the lid of my furnance? I am conflicted between having the ability to add metal with the lid closed and having too large and losing heat.

Thanks Mark, Tangential it is. Thanks for the knowledge. Bovine

I needed to make an elaborate test setup for an LED project I am working on when I needed a small straight slot screwdriver to get deep into a test lead housing. Just before I ground down a kitchen knife to a meer splinter, I saw this wire feeler gauge set and my paradigm of screw driver...

100Model, I like some of your inovations. Such as the lid lifting lever for your furnace. The other smooth operation is the crucibal dolly you use for safe and accurate pouring. Thanks for sharing. I have been scratching my head over the location of the tweer (I know the spelling is wrong) I...