Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 12 of 16

Thread: Home made steel melting furnace

  1. #1
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    72
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Home made steel melting furnace

    Anyone ever considered making a small Siemens-Martin furnace? It is a regenerative furnace which basically means you use a heat exchanger to extract heat from the exhaust gas and use it to heat the inlet air prior to combustion. The temperatures get as high as 17-1800 degC, enough to melt steel.

    John


  2. #2
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    195
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    It sounds interesting. How difficult is it to make?
    Would it work with Stainless?
    -Tei
    -Please check out my webiste-
    http://www.teilhardo.com


  3. #3
    Registered
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    26
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Hot enought to sinter alumina too. Usually the refractories are exotic and expensive. I've been thinking about it for some time but I put it on the backburner. If it can be done cheap I'll be in it.

    All ears.


  4. #4
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Alberta, Canada
    Posts
    111
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Can you post any of the info you have. I have an aluminum fournace but i would like to melt iron. The only inexpensive alternative i have seen is a copula fournace which uses diffrent layers of coke and metal ingots in a large stack to melt the iron. There are some really neat coatings out now that are unbelievably durable to heat, making the construction with exotic refractories unnecessary.


  • #5
    Registered
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    U.S.
    Posts
    40
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    check out this site www.backyardmetalcasting.com

    he has alot of info on melting iron and has links to other sites with even more info. for melting stell they make a 3500 degree F refractory but it is expensive depending on where you buy it. I was also told that refractory has a limited shelf life.

    later all...


  • #6
    Registered Scott-M's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    usa
    Posts
    32
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    I used to have plans from the old days for a steel furnace using an electric arc. I never did build it and have since lost the pamplet that it was in. It looked dangerous but fun. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has built anything to melt steel in. Scott.


  • #7
    Registered
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Steve Chastain seems to be the guru of the cupola furnaces. Lindsay books has his book for sale. I am sending away for it soon. I'll let you know any "new" ideas that book can give.



    D
    Think it, Plan it, Build it..... and hopefully it it'll work.

    If it dosen't.... it was a prototype!


  • #8
    Moderator HuFlungDung's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    4,826
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    I've heard or read, that steel is not very "pourable" for casting purposes. Cast iron, by contrast, flows really well.

    Steel is much better suited to forging (ie., shaping with machined dies or a hammer) to bring it around to the right shape. Also, the forging process (any kind of hot work process) reduces grain size in the steel.

    Just thought I'd throw that in, as something for you to consider before you get all set up in the steel making business
    First you get good, then you get fast. Then grouchiness sets in.

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


  • #9
    Registered
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    143
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    I've heard of steel being cast, but I believe it is done under a vacum. The hot metal must be protected from exposure to oxygen.
    Patrick;
    The Sober Pollock


  • #10
    Registered
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    U.S.
    Posts
    40
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Yes steel must be protected from oxygen and can be quite difficult to cast due to the amount of heat needed to melt it. The ITC line of coatings only reflect heat back into the melt making the furnace more efficient. We cast steel at the foundry I used to work at a few years ago and it was a real PITA. In most cases it is easier to learn how to weld and build what you need from commonly available stock.

    Cast iron is much easier to cast as it will literally flow like water when molten. While casting metal is by no means safe cast iron is a little safer due in a large part to the temp. differences.


  • #11
    Registered
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    4
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0


  • #12
    Registered
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    43
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Better also check this out www.foundry-fopars.co.uk there is an extencive section on cast iron there, and done with propane


  • Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. New home made MadVac CNC router
      By oneyaker in forum DIY CNC Router Table Machines
      Replies: 20
      Last Post: 02-05-2011, 06:37 AM
    2. Any home made cnc laser's out there?
      By CNCadmin in forum General Laser Engraving & Cutting Machine Discussion
      Replies: 3
      Last Post: 04-08-2009, 06:46 PM
    3. First tool for the tiny lathe (home made) pics
      By Stevie in forum General Metal Working Machines
      Replies: 5
      Last Post: 05-02-2004, 11:24 AM
    4. Home made CNC mill (and some products made by it)
      By gcamlibel in forum DIY CNC Router Table Machines
      Replies: 23
      Last Post: 04-05-2004, 06:54 PM
    5. Home made lathe ideas
      By Hobbiest in forum General Metal Working Machines
      Replies: 2
      Last Post: 02-15-2004, 04:08 PM

    Tags for this Thread

    Posting Permissions


     


    About CNCzone.com

      We are the largest and most active discussion forum from DIY CNC Machines to the Cad/Cam software to run them. The site is 100% free to join and use, so join today!

    Follow us on

    Facebook Dribbble RSS Feed


    Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.