I decided that I wanted another project to start that'll hinder me from finishing my other projects

Enter the homebuilt furnace for melting metal

This small unit with the help of propane should be able to melt 6 pounds of aluminum in about 20 minutes.

Once I get the hang of it, I will build larger unit to be fueled by used oil (yes, it burns clean with no smoke)

For the furnace body, I was going to use 2 914 steel rims welded together (and still might if I need another one), I cut the center section out of one, it should work very well, it's just ugly.

For my 1st furnace, I am using a 5 gallon can...the lining is a special refractory cement that can withstand up to 2900°

I'll have to make the propane burner later this week.

Sharp eyed viewers will notice that I used a shock "dust" cover on the lid as well as for the exhuast (tube near top of furnace)

The bottom tube is from a bad spindle from a 914

The burner is finished, I got the plans from http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com/index.html

It's a pretty simple propane burner, built from steel pipe for gas lines....cost a few bucks to make (the regulator with gauge cost about $40)

I hope to be melting some aluminum and brass sometime this week.




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