Thread: Clearing Up

Originally Posted by 223nut

@P38 keep us posted on the furnace project with pics.

@223nut

Making one like this out of an old LPG cylinder, including making my own cast able refractory.

https://youtu.be/gFOq88iQg60

Also making an LPG burner to power it.

Cheers
Pete

Originally Posted by P38

@gadgetman

Melting metals and creating alloys is a fascinating process.

Just watch the lead fumes coming off your pot, they're not good to breath.

To help clean up your lead you can use a flux in your melt.

Flux will help purge the melt of impurities and float them to the top as dross.

Chuck a whole tea light candle (removed from the aluminium casing) into you molten lead and give it a stir

It will catch fire initially, once burned out give the molten lead another stir and remove the dross.

I'm currently making a small furnace that will be capable of melting aluminium and bronze for casting.

Cheers
Pete

Will try the candle thing next time.

A crucible furnace is on my to do list. Planning on using a couple of old LPG cylinders. I need to find some refractory.

@gadgetman

I can share the cast able refractory recipe I intend to use if you like

Might start a new thread.

Cheers
Pete

Originally Posted by P38

@gadgetman

I can share the cast able refractory recipe I intend to use if you like

Might start a new thread.

Cheers
Pete

Yes please. I have the cylinders cut ready to go.

You boys looked at using an arc furnace? you both have welders I think?

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

You boys looked at using an arc furnace? you both have welders I think?

Yeah but I can see this just an excuse for a new toy area

Castable refractory I'm going to use, but will add Sodium Silicate , Water Glass, and Silica Sand to bind it all together and give it a hard surface.

Homemade furnace refractories

Water Glass
https://youtu.be/n_Kxm-w_XkI

Some tips on sourcing materials.
Pearlite, Garden Centres or landscapers
Bentinite Clay, Well Drillers, called well drillers mud.
Silica Sand is proving hard to get, those that have it want to sell me a ton.
Portland cement, any hardware store.


Water Glass
Sodium Hydroxide, Caustic Soda, Mitre10
Silica, Cat Litter, any pet store, read the contents as it must be pure silica

Cheers
Pete

I've been looking at that sight for a few years. Can get hold of refractory that is good for cast iron casting.

Very tempted to knock up a waste oil burner since I generate so much of it with vehicles.

A bit of google-foo seems to indicate a lot of placemakers stores sell silica sand.

Originally Posted by gadgetman

A bit of google-foo seems to indicate a lot of placemakers stores sell silica sand.

Awesome.

I'll give them a try.

Silica sand is the last ingredient I need.

Cheers
Pete

gadge if you want a bit more waste oil for that fuel -call round home and tell my ryan to hand it over!!

Originally Posted by Mauser308

Make sure you dont get water in the molten lead. It's spectacular... Painful too.

Your no wrong.

Or any molten metal for that matter

Cheers
Pete

Originally Posted by P38

Awesome.

I'll give them a try.

Silica sand is the last ingredient I need.

Cheers
Pete

I'd head to the gardening/landscaping section.