A few picks of my furnace

[tool_man]

I finally got around to taking a few pics of my furnace.It is a Johnson Gas model 900 that I bought on E-Bay for $250.I didn't take any pics before the repairs but,trust me....it was a real mess.I made the frame from scrap 2" square steel tubing and wheels rescued from the scrap bin at work.note the position of the gas valve.Not quite half open.This is max flow while maintaining an oxidizing atmosphere.I intend to build a larger capacity furnace later on and use the same control console to fire it.I could cut the frame and mount wheels on it to allow coupling either furnace to the console.
The first melt takes about 20 minutes....second melt 12 minutes.I checked the gas meter before and after casting 50# of ingots and found I used less than 200 cu.ft. of natural gas.

[Kipper]

Looks nice :thumbsup: Are you pouring the ingots in angle iron?

[toneV8]

How much kilogram can you melt aluminium with this furnace.

[tool_man]

Originally Posted by Kipper Looks nice :thumbsup: Are you pouring the ingots in angle iron?

Thanks.....it took a lot of work to get it in shape again.I waited 2 weeks before firing the first time and gradually heated up the lining.Yes....I made the ingot molds from 3/16"X 2" angle iron.The ingots weigh approx.900 grams.

[tool_man]

Originally Posted by toneV8 How much kilogram can you melt aluminium with this furnace.

This furnace uses a #16 crucible which has a capacity of 16# of aluminum or 50# of brass.At this time,I am using a 5"X8" pipe crucible that has a capacity of about 5400 grams.I should be able to increase capacity significantly by building a 6"X11 1/2" crucible.That will have to wait at least 2 weeks.I severed a tendon in my hand last week at work.Ouch!!!!!

[Kipper]

Originally Posted by tool_man This furnace uses a #16 crucible which has a capacity of 16# of aluminum or 50# of brass.At this time,I am using a 5"X8" pipe crucible that has a capacity of about 5400 grams.I should be able to increase capacity significantly by building a 6"X11 1/2" crucible.That will have to wait at least 2 weeks.I severed a tendon in my hand last week at work.Ouch!!!!!

Hope that tendon heals fast matey! I just got my mitts on 2 16"x18" crucibles....I can just lift them empty must make a rig to lift them out for me as they hold 4 gallons!

[tool_man]

4 gallons!!!!!!! No wonder they are heavy.Are they clay/graphite or silicon/carbide?You will need help with those....or an overhead crane.LOL.
Have to leave this cast on for 2 weeks.Just lucky it was not worse.During the surgery,I was thinking of a way to lift the crucible and pour the metal.If I had a hoist it would be easy.

[Kipper]

Originally Posted by tool_man 4 gallons!!!!!!! No wonder they are heavy.Are they clay/graphite or silicon/carbide?You will need help with those....or an overhead crane.LOL. Have to leave this cast on for 2 weeks.Just lucky it was not worse.During the surgery,I was thinking of a way to lift the crucible and pour the metal.If I had a hoist it would be easy.

They are steel! oh and they were free (my favorite word ) I think i'll go overhead gantry type.

[tool_man]

Have you considered tilting the furnace instead?
Got the stitches out yesterday.Still managed to cast about 150 lbs. of ingots last Sunday.Shhhhh!!!!...don't tell the surgeon.

[toneV8]

Forget to ask before does it possible to melt gray iron and does it smoke and smell to much.

[tool_man]

Originally Posted by toneV8 Forget to ask before does it possible to melt gray iron and does it smoke and smell to much.

No....it is not possible to melt gray iron in this type of furnace.Only non-ferrous metals.Aluminum or brass.The furnace does not generate smoke and there is no odor,provided the metal is clean.This is a very easy furnace to operate.Simply turn on the main switch....push the ignitor button and open the gas valve.It lights instantly.