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?