Saulnier

I will probably build a gas fired furnace. Might play around with an oil burner for it after I get it up and running. I will probably line it with castable refractory to withstand the heat of melting and casting brass. I will make to outside of it such that I can lay it on its side and maybe place a kiln shelf in it to use as a forge. I know it will be heavy and all. I feel that this will suit my needs for now. On a positive note I requisitioned (scrounged) a nice brake disc and hunk or RR track, and about 8-10 RR spikes today. I might have a brake disc forge and makeshift anvil to play with by Thanks giving. Still got my eye out for a brake drum. I am going to check a local place that works on 18 wheelers this week. I might get my hands on a big one. Me working with metal and tinkering around = HAPPY Yeah Come on!!!! Saulnier

So I have been lurking around this site for a while and have read tons of information. I have also done a ton of reading at BYMC melting metal in a home foundry, backyard metalcasting, metal casting I have done some aluminum and brass casting many years ago. I am a competent welder as I spent 14 years as a shop teacher before my current job. I am interested in both casting and forging. My question is this: Can one apparatus be built that could be used as both a furnace and a forge? It seems to me that the major difference is the placement of the burner. Could a furnace be built with kaowool and ITC100 as the refractory? Could a forge be built with cast refractory? What about one unit with 2 burner ports where the one that is not being used is "plugged" with kaowool? This set up would be laid on the side for forging and set on end for melting. Just thinking out loud as I am interested in both but don't have funds to build dedicated machines. I realize that a purpose built furnace might not make a great forge, nor will a purpose built forge make a great furnace. Is there a happy medium? Would a forge melt aluminum and brass in a small 6"diaX6" tall crucible? Just to complicate it I would probably run it in gas and or oil What say you? Saulnier

Found this forum while searching for casting, foundry, forging information for a sermon series I am working on. After 14 years of teaching Technology Education "Shop" classes in the public schools I have taken a full time ministry position as Associate Pastor/Youth Minister. I am loving it. I do miss working in a 3000 Sqft shop full of tools and toys. I am going to teach a series called "The Forge" in Feb 2010. I will teach three lessons in a 2 day period relating the living the Christian life to purifying and casting metal, strengthening and forming steel, steam, the power of the extra degree. I am toying with the idea of actually building a forge and pounding metal live in front of my students. I will be giving them safety glasses that have "The Forge" logo on them. I will be casting pewter of maybe aluminum live as well, but have not figured out the steam portion. All of that to say hello. Chris Saulnier Simonton Community Church Simonton Texas