07-06-2015, 07:58 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-06-2015, 07:59 AM by Pete O.
Edit Reason: typo
)
A little more progress, put the bottom plate on with the lid lifting pedal arrangement; really starting to raid the scrap bin now.
I found an error in the setup of the tap hole, I think the rod that I had in place to form the tap hole when pouring the refractory must have shifted at the inner end, the clay bottom is supposed to come up to the bottom of the tap hole but that is 80mm (3 1/4") up from the base plate and only about an inch below the air intake port, so not much of a well in the furnace. Also I wouldn't like to be trying to break out a 3" thick clay base which is supposed to be able to be done from time to time to clear spills and build-up. I compromised and made the base about 2" thick, might mean that I can't melt directly in the bottom of the furnace but I'm not sure that is a big issue anyway.
I also got the air & fuel inlet system finished, the heat shield is a bit of an eyesore being straight from the scrap bin but if this works okay I might see if I can find the time to tidy it up.
Got some 3/8 (o.d.) steel pipe used for truck air brakes for the oil feed line, brazed into the air pipe so it finishes flush with the end of the pipe in the middle of the reduced end. I haven't welded the taper yet, folded and bent it down to experiment with air and oil flow.
I did a bit of a trial run with the air and oil feed to see if the oil would spray out with the air flow, very happy with the result- I held an old piece of carpet in front of the airflow and had a bucket under the end of the pipe, half expecting the oil to just dribble out into the bucket. None dripped into the bucket, the piece of carpet got spray painted with nice black sump oil.
Putting this aside for a little while now to let the base set, but really all I need to do is connect up a container of oil and it is ready to get hot. Need to make some crucible handling tools before I can melt anything, then I guess it will be time to set up some sand moulding equipment. Might look around for some safety gear too.
I'm tossing up whether to give it a coat of high-temp paint like the stuff that is sold for exhaust headers, I'd like to give it some corrosion protection but I don't know whether the paint would just disappear the first time it gets to melting temperature. Any input on that one would be welcome.
I found an error in the setup of the tap hole, I think the rod that I had in place to form the tap hole when pouring the refractory must have shifted at the inner end, the clay bottom is supposed to come up to the bottom of the tap hole but that is 80mm (3 1/4") up from the base plate and only about an inch below the air intake port, so not much of a well in the furnace. Also I wouldn't like to be trying to break out a 3" thick clay base which is supposed to be able to be done from time to time to clear spills and build-up. I compromised and made the base about 2" thick, might mean that I can't melt directly in the bottom of the furnace but I'm not sure that is a big issue anyway.
I also got the air & fuel inlet system finished, the heat shield is a bit of an eyesore being straight from the scrap bin but if this works okay I might see if I can find the time to tidy it up.
Got some 3/8 (o.d.) steel pipe used for truck air brakes for the oil feed line, brazed into the air pipe so it finishes flush with the end of the pipe in the middle of the reduced end. I haven't welded the taper yet, folded and bent it down to experiment with air and oil flow.
I did a bit of a trial run with the air and oil feed to see if the oil would spray out with the air flow, very happy with the result- I held an old piece of carpet in front of the airflow and had a bucket under the end of the pipe, half expecting the oil to just dribble out into the bucket. None dripped into the bucket, the piece of carpet got spray painted with nice black sump oil.
Putting this aside for a little while now to let the base set, but really all I need to do is connect up a container of oil and it is ready to get hot. Need to make some crucible handling tools before I can melt anything, then I guess it will be time to set up some sand moulding equipment. Might look around for some safety gear too.
I'm tossing up whether to give it a coat of high-temp paint like the stuff that is sold for exhaust headers, I'd like to give it some corrosion protection but I don't know whether the paint would just disappear the first time it gets to melting temperature. Any input on that one would be welcome.
Lathe (n); a machine tool used in the production of milling machine components.
Milling Machine (n); a machine tool used in the production of lathe components.
Milling Machine (n); a machine tool used in the production of lathe components.