Fundametal22

Thanks for the recommendations on improvised anvils, I will be sure to make friends with the local mechanics! I know it isn’t ideal to use leftover dust from the grinder, but I did use a magnet to filter out any non-ferrous materials so it’s at least mostly iron For the burner, if my memory serves, I used 12” x 3/4” black steel pipe with a .30 MIG nozzle threaded in and centered in the back of the T connection. Sorry for the delayed reply, I really need to make more time for hobbies. All work and no play recently :/

The first thing I made was a pair of crucible tongs for lifting and pouring, used my melting furnace burner to do some simple heating and bending (Will post a picture when I get the chance) Castings I’ve made include lots of Copper, Aluminum, and Zinc ingots, anthill casts, buttons and coins, and recently a few failed attempts at a wolf statue. My current melting furnace (pictured partially in profile pic) is a 20# propane tank as the shell, 2” of rigid kaowool, 1/4” satanite, and a naturally aspirated T burner I’m sure you’re familiar with I don’t have much in the way of large equipment yet. Mostly due to space, but also money. New roof this year set me back some. I currently have a 1x42” belt sander/8”disc grinder, 6” wheel, bundle of dewalt 20v power tools, a 4# sledge, 6” anvil face on a bench vice and a cheapie flux cored MIG/stick welder. It is very overcrowded, so I am in the planning stages to build a 24x12’ shed with 8’ long barn lofts on either end. 8’ of the total length being for storing yard tools and miscellaneous items, with a partition between the other 16x12 working area. The 8’ in the center will have no loft ceiling and is intended to have space for a chimney eventually to have an indoor furnace. Currently trying to get the hang of lost wax casting and finish that darned wolf statue. On my to-do-list is a pair of copper shears for my honey to use in the garden, some custom copper or brass cabinet keys for my coworkers, and it may turn out terribly but, a Damascus blade made from scrap nails and screws as my first attempt at forge welding. (Been saving up dust from grinding and sanding to do a canister)

Hello everyone, I am new to the trade, which I began as a hobby last March (‘22.) I have become slightly addicted to the feeling of taking seemingly useless and turning into something with a purpose, whether it is a tool for the day-to-day, or just something nice to look at. I am currently a traveling engineer in the healthcare industry. You can catch me in [random city every week] USA on weekdays, and at home on the weekends. Prior to this, I was in the US Navy for just over a decade. If anyone is ever looking for a hand near SC, give me a shout. I have much to learn, and would be happy to see your setup and learn a new technique. Thanks for having me, Ferg