Furnace Build

[RobWilson]

Afternoon Lads

I have posted this else were , but i thought it may be of interest here , probably way way too many photos ,, and a few of you lads may nod off before getting to the end

Here is a shot of my old furnace set up i built many years ago .

It can handle an #12 crucible , the one on the right the other is a #8


The reason for the new furnace build is i want to cast larger parts , below is a #16 salamander crucible


The new furnace will handle a couple of sizes larger than #16.

Right here is the start ,,, an old chemical drum ,,,,,, very interesting LOL


This was then cut down .


From the bit left over a ring was cut to form the lid . notice i cut the lid section to incorporate the bead , this is so that the refractory will have something to lock into .


Not wanting to waist the nice rolled bead from the top of the drum i thought i would re-use it and spot welded it to the top of the cut down drum .. ignore the hand in shot this was removed .



Next up are a few shots of the lid lift /swivel mechanism.

[RobWilson]

Then the blast pipe was made and fitted to the barrel .




Now we need a centre form .



With that done its time to pore the refractory the bottom was pored to about 4" thick ,( remembering to blank off the blast pipe )and aloud to go green .

The centre then fitted .

and the wall rammed up .

much of the same for the lid , the lid was sealed to the sheet on metal with silicon ,stops it moving about and is easy to peal off later



Centre removed .



With the lid fitted , the tie rods were adjusted so that when the lever is pulled down the lid lifts level .

[EdK]

Rob,

What did you use to cut the drum? The cuts look so straight I'm wondering how you did that. :huh:

Thanks,
Ed

[RobWilson]

and the rod adjusted by filing a bit off so that when the lid is close it sits on the furnace and not on the cam , causing a gap between the lid and body


Job done ,,,,,nearly ,,,, I was going to use the furnace outside , but gave up due to the UK weather and decided i must be able to run the furnace indoors .

So i cut an exhaust into the back of the furnace and added some insulation .

Cut a hole in the shop wall for the exhaust .



Just a note i am re using the fan burner unit i built for the smaller furnace

And a chimney



The melted guttering was from previous tests

Now whatever the weather i can cast , with the insulation on the furnace and with the venturi action of the 4" furnace exhaust going into an 8" pipe the shop stays cool .


Cheers Rob

[RobWilson]

(02-19-2012, 12:37 PM)EdAK Wrote: Rob,

What did you use to cut the drum? The cuts look so straight I'm wondering how you did that. :huh:

Thanks,
Ed

Hi Ed

I used an angle grinder with a 1mm thick blade free hand


Rob

[EdK]

I figured you used an angle grinder. I know I couldn't cut it that straight.

Ed

[chucketn]

Nice, Rob. Got to build me something like that.

[ETC57]

Very nice Rob,

I keep looking at different designs so far for simplicity and function I would have to say +1 to you.

Jerry.

[DaveH]

Rob,

Great looking furnace:):):)

So nicely made, even the flue/chimney is a work of art:):):)

Nice post Rob, well shown as well:)
:)
DaveH

[RobWilson]

(02-19-2012, 01:08 PM)EdAK Wrote: I figured you used an angle grinder. I know I couldn't cut it that straight.

Ed

Sorry Ed :(

I had marked a line around the drum to follow and really took my time doing the cutting .

Rob