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I Forge Iron

haddy85

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  1. Thanks frosty, ill take you up on that in a couple of weeks, will be using some old pavers this weekend to create my work space. then the furnace build will begin. :) i really didn't think of that, thanks Steve. i think it might be best to start with a smaller furnace after all, :) was starting to head in that direction as i still wasn't sure on controlling the temperature sufficiently for the first burn and if you cant get that right the refractory will be worthless. :) Thanks nobody special, was starting to head that way, and was going to source a 20lt ( 5.2 gallon) tin this weekend, as i said to my partner (who's also interested in this as a hobby). i'm not confident with controlling the temperature, making Big Bertha could be a waste of time and money if we stuff it up. :) Also managed to find a small blacksmithing place only about an hour from us, which can help us with forging and probably the odd casting question.:) Thanks for the help guys, is there any place to post projects for criticism/feedback on process/finish?
  2. Thanks for that frosty, i had only considered the waste oil and propane burners due to their affordability i did see the issue of clogging with the waste oil and the issue of temperature control. hence the reason for asking about the propane burner to control the temp on the first burn for the furnace. when i'm talking waist oil i wouldn't be using motor oil it would be locally sourced oil from the fish and chip shops, so free and worth the PITA i did manage to come across a well recommended waist oil burner on http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com/oilburners09.html simple and effective provided the oil is the right viscosity. it will give me something to tinker with on the initial small projects i guess, just have to see how it goes really. so with the design of the furnace i have provided (not including burner) would it handle the above iron project 40lb i don't see why it wouldn't but that's why i wanted to double check see if i missed anything?
  3. Hi Frosty, Thanks for the concern, as i mentioned in the original post i was going to start with aluminium casting, forging tools ect. i don't expect to fly before i can crawl. :) i do understand the dangerous nature of working with explosively high temperatures and wouldn't try and do anything without understanding it and gaining experience on smaller projects. and yes steel is not generally done at home because of the skill level required from years of practice, i'm merely building this furnace to last and expand with my skill set even if it could handle iron i would be happy with that. why would you not use waste oil burners, i would think that propane is more dangerous as with out the igniting temperature the oil wont burn or explode where as propane only needs a leek and a spark? Even though i am quite new to this please don't put me in the same category as the person that wants to cast the sword for their first project. (knowing this is not Disney and that a sword is not cast)
  4. Hi Frosty, Thanks for helping This furnace is designed for iron and steel, in a crucible that is 220mm dia x 240mm deep, (holds 44lb of brass) not sure how much weight difference there is from brass to iron in that volume but i understand it would be a bit of difference. after a bit more research i realized that melting point and the point at which you pour is quite different so the temperature rating of the recastable will be higher than in the pdf, i will increase it to 1800 oC or 3272 oF it will be run on either propane or waste oil is there any thing else that you need to know?? Thanks again
  5. Hi Guys thanks for the replys, not up to casting just yet, just seeing if anyone looking at the attached pdf could tell me if the 44 gallon drum furnace i will be making is good enough or i missed anything? will be using it for casting al but progressing to iron and steel.
  6. Hi Guys, Been looking into casting some of my own parts as 1 off part purchasing is bloody expensive and no where near as fun. so I have been doing some research on casting, forging, furnaces and so on. I have put together a bit of an improvised plan for a 44 gallon drum, as i want something that can handle some decent size casts as well as have the capacity to go up to irons and steels when i get experience with the craft. As i wouldn't mind doing a bit of smithing as well. From all the designs I have seen, they all require the basic drainage in the bottom, a hole in the side for the burner and an exhaust at the top. they should be made of either fire bricks or recastable suited for the purpose / temperature. Which you could make yourself that could handle up to 1000 oC or purpose made recastable with some ratings of up to 1600 - 1800 oC which i will be using for this project. before i started on the project i wanted to put the basic idea up for critiquing to see if there is anything i have missed / save wasting my time and money. Also one question with the recastable, as you would expect the the drying and first burn instructions are quite extensive, with the first burn what's the best way to control the temperature? would it be a propane burner? with controlled burns to raise the temperature slowly? or any other suggestions for the first burn?? Cheers for any help. 44 gallon drum furnace design.pdf
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