Rainbows Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 Just to note I don't plan to do casting in the immediate future, just poking about to see what is possible. I was wondering whether coke or coal is suitable for melting metals up to aluminium, I have seen charcoal powered furnaces but as far as I can see no one has coal or coke furnaces going around and since coal is cheaper than various gas fuels (which I don't have any idea on making burners for) and charcoal (I don't own any woodland to make my own) I was wondering whether it is just unfashionable or whether there is a problem with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 Coke was a traditional fuel for casting---using coke for casting was even part of Abraham Darby's learning process for smelting with coke and not charcoal...Coal is a lot messier and annoys neighbors with the smoke. Also some metals react badly with the sulfur in coal; hopefully mainly driven off in your coke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 Aluminum is a relatively low temperature melt, a wood camp fire will bring it to to high a heat. It's a dirty way to try melting for a pour but sometimes a guy who is bored with camping finds lots of aluminum laying around and one things to another. I know that isn't a comment about coke vs coal, vs charcoal, etc. it is however a comment about what's necessary for aluminum and lower temp melts. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Furrer Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 I melt steel in coke....just got a ton from the "L-Brand" guy in Georgia for this purpose. Melted three four pound charges the other day for a class. Coke can easily melt aluminum, bronze and with time...steel...given enough air. Ric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainbows Posted August 15, 2014 Author Share Posted August 15, 2014 Do I then risk melting my furnace? I didn't plan to melt iron or steel but will I have to make a furnace capable of withstanding such temperatures? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 Many furnaces melt themselves as a result of normal operations. The cast iron cupalos got rebuilt every week at the foundry where I used to work. That is why we constantly have to do at least a partial regular rebuild. Read more and you will understand. Welcome to the forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Special Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Yes, you may slag the refractory depending on what you're using, size of your furnace, and any number of factors. More importantly, you can toast your crucible if the preheat's not done right. (which you can also do with charcoal....whoops!) But do it right......and yeah, it'll work fine. Air flow is key for good temp control. Charcoal is a little slower, little more kind for aluminum. Get somebody experienced to play while learning. That's always best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Also coke can be hard for a beginning user to lite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.