Home Shop Foundry - Melting Scrap Copper

Everyone melts aluminum! But melting copper is a little more special. During this casting session, you get to see what happens to scrap copper (and impurities) as I melt them and repour as ingots.

Copper is a beautiful metal. I've come to the conclusion that it is nearly as simple to melt as aluminum, but a much better metal for sculpture and artwork. After all, when have you ever heard someone say "that's a lovely patina on that piece of aluminum?"

As usual, I try to throw in a few observations about the casting process and DIY setup.

From a casting session in October, 2010. Also, check out my follow-on video where I melt brass and bronze.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• DIY
• Foundry
• Melting
• Furnace
• Copper
• Pouring
• Ingot
• Mold
• Scrap
• Recycling
• Art
• Sculpture

[mjm4017]

How do I get ahold of a furnace like that? I've actually just placed my ingot in a homemade brick oven but the crucible is only 25 oz and melting the copper takes time with that small of a crucible...I need to go bigger! HELP!

[amaedesign]

@mjm4017 Two options come to mind - buy or build. The quick and easy way is to buy a ready-made furnace. I got mine from foundry101. If you want to build, I suggest you read Gingery's books on foundry and crucible making, or read up on the internet. Basically, you make a mold and pour refractory cement to build the furnace body.

[1990suzuki]

I got a question did you make or buy your ingot mold?

[amaedesign]

@1990suzuki I built the ingot mold from 3/16" x 2" flat bar stock (for the sides) and 3/16" x 2" angle to form the triangular ingot shape. The handle is 5/8" round bar, bent to shape and welded. To keep the handle cool, I cut apart a slag hammer and welded the spiral metal piece to the handle.

[Shlabbinze]

I have a big load of copper windings from battery chargers. Trying to pick off the copper is practically futile so I was thinking of building a foundry and attempting to melt off the copper. You seem well versed in this process but every vid I have seen is guys like you melting copper or aluminum only. Is what I am wanting to do possible in your opinion? Cool vid thanks

[amaedesign]

@Shlabbinze I haven't tried to put a whole transformer into a furnace, but I have considered how to do it. First, the plastic, insulation, paint, and any epoxy potting compound would burn off. Obviously the smoke will be toxic and probably isn't too good for the environment.  Eventually the copper will melt off the transformer core and you can fish out the steel cores, sheet metal and ash (dross). However, watch out if there are aluminum or other bits to contaminate your copper.

[PatnCodyFTW]

That's an antique, that's worth a lot of money.

[1castingcowboy]

Hello, this is Steve with Lost & Foundry.

Nice video, thanks for metioning us.

The "lid plug" is for keeping the heat in when the furnace is not in use, between heats. The lid plug restricts the airflow and takes longer to melt.

[throathammer1]

this is really neat shit!! this has further sparked my curiosity and now Im going to start checking prices of equipment.

[themrmaxgeos]

what do you use for a crucible

[4x4me2]

what is the average weight of your ingots and do you add any chemicals? not sure why but i have seen other people adding chemicals.

[chunky1194]

I just read something thay said burning insulated wire is illegal. Excuse my ignorance if thay doesnt apply here.

[diyengineer]

@TheJustinDonaldson google lost foundry.

[TheJustinDonaldson]

tell me the name of that melting pot.