How to Make a Foundry Furnace for Melting and Casting Iron and Steel

[NeverThat]

Fantastic video,

Few questions but the biggest one is what do you mean by pressing something into the fire cement?

You lost me on that one.

[PutYourHeadInHere]

@NeverThat The furnace cement is very soft and, if there is any significant amount of humidity, it will get runny. And when it is baked, it will form bubbles as the moisture evaporates. So, basically, what I meant was to line the surface of it with something absorbent and stiff (i.e. heavy cardboard) and heat it slowly for a while (like with a small, gas space heater) before fully firing it, so that when the furnace finally gets to peak temperature, the cement doesn't bubble.

[NeverThat]

@PutYourHeadInHere

That explains a lot. Thanks cant wait to try this build!

[MrCliip]

Great video. i just got mine done and works great. thanks!

[PutYourHeadInHere]

@MrCliip Glad to help! Let me know if you have any further questions! :-)

[ba470]

hi to all, it will be nice if someone help me about cement, do I need to just fill up by normal cement can cover it by fire cement? or I should fill all by fire cement ? Thanks

[PutYourHeadInHere]

@ba470 You can use only fireclay cement, but it is VERY brittle and breaks easily. I use parts because I want to make sure the furnace lasts longer, but using fireclay for the whole thing would improve its refractory quality.You just have to decide what you want more: heat resistance or durability. Either way, make sure the fireclay or cement is a good 3 inches thick, at least, or neither will do you much good for very long.

[jorgefernandes93]

could this reach over 2700º F.

If someone can give me explanation about that ??

[PutYourHeadInHere]

@jorgefernandes93 By packing coal inside, around your crucible, and forcing air in through the bottom, the fire is effectively "force-fed" which causes the fuel to be consumed more rapidly ... and because the coal burns so fast, there is much much less time for heat to escape (especially when the furnace is capped), so it continually builds until the coal is burnt out. I have a laser thermometer, and when I run this particular furnace, it runs between 2700-2800 degrees.

[jorgefernandes93]

@PutYourHeadInHere Thanks a lot my friend ;)

[MrGunrilla]

i have a question ive heard other people saying that fot the base you dont need cement because heat rises any feed back ould help

[PutYourHeadInHere]

@MrGunrilla A base is unnecessary for casting soft metals such as aluminum and copper, but is absolutely necessary for the harder metals. Because heat will leak out of every crack and gap, without a base and a solid capstone the furnace would be unable to reach the extremely high temperatures necessary to melt iron because of the heat loss.

[aharonstube]

Very nice foundry and great video. A few questions I have: My first foundry I made using cement that carcket after a few uses did you have that prob. My second foundry I used good refractory and I am still using this foundry for many castings. I recommend you make some hinges system for you foundry cap, Its bad for your back and its very hot when melting metal. Your refractory walls looks very thin how is the insulation working for you?

Welcomed to visit my foundry site:

flamingfurnace com

[PutYourHeadInHere]

@aharonstube Yes, the first three attempts all cracked/shattered at various stages of use. I am trying to come up with a way to get the lid on easily, but I suck at welding so it's still in the design phase. The wall was a bit thin, and I have since poured a third layer to make it 3 1/2 inches thick all around, on average, and it seems to be performing well. The rough part is trying to move it anywhere, as it weighs about 300 lbs!

[Bambergchic]

very artistic. love the hat!!! seems much more high tech than the one you made here!

[Idunsdottir]

I'm so glad I'm not one of your neighbours!

[PutYourHeadInHere]

@Idunsdottir I am pleased to inform that my neighbors AND landlord are not only tolerant of my projects, but actively interested. :-D