Stainless Steel Furnace

I am looking at 16 Quart Stainless Steel Stockpot for out side of a small furnace.
Using fire brick for liner using a A6 crucible.
Has any use this type
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0030T1KR0/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_xiO0BbWJD802K

Dave

 

I wouldn't use it. Unless you can weld THIN SS, it will be a pain in your neck. You'll also be stuck drilling the miserable stuff and everything will be bolt and nut.
That alone is going to make installing a tuyere a royal pain.

If ya want a small cheap furnace, take a look at one of these. https://www.harborfreight.com/5-gallon-portable-air-tank-65594.html
I turned one into a forge. Don't forget your 20% off coupon.

 

I made my first furnace in a steel 5 gal pail. It has the same quick and easy simplicity of the stock pot without the downsides Jason mentioned and was free. Plus it has that handy wire handle on it!lol

Pete

 

I look at air tank with 7 bricks will make a 9" ID furnace if use 6 bricks it is 6" Is

That you for this low cost furnace

Dave

 

I made my electric furnace using similar technique:



I would definitely use a larger diameter housing as suggested. This was a propane tank. I would also cut the firebrick in half to be thinner (not as shown above.) It will still provide enough insulation, especially if you put wool or other insulation outside.
Robert

 

Great looking furnace
How may watts and how long does melt
I did not think of electric

Dave

 

I believe it is about 1800 watts. It takes about forever to melt a crucible of aluminum. Longer than forever with bronze. Go with propane.
Robert

 

Thank you
I will go LP

Dave

 

I am kind of wondering if electric would provide a benefit in terms of porosity.
Robert

 

I don't think it helps or hurts porosity. With a fuel powered furnace, you have the ability to control the O2 environment. With electric, you get what you get. Electric is just too damn slloooowwww for me. Good call recommending propane for the new guy. It will keep him from electrocuting himself with an electric kiln. Metal tools and stuff inside a giant electric toaster!

 

I got my brick here. These are 2800 deg rated and can be cut lengthwise to yield a 1.25" thick brick. That gives you 2 brick for the price of 1. You may want some castable for the base and lid but you could use bricks as well.

https://www.sheffield-pottery.com/NC28-G-28-SOFTBRICK-STRAIGHTS-p/nc28.htm

Robert

 

Thank you
I am planning on using fire place brick if I find fire place brick here California
I may order from your supplier

Thank you
Dave

 

Fireplace brick is dense hard fire brick. It has a high thermal mass and will make your furnace less efficient. You will spend a lot of fuel heating up the brick. It is also harder to cut, typically cut with a diamond wheel. I would recommend the insulating bricks like I posted. They can be cut with a hacksaw or bandsaw. They weigh much less. I'm not saying dense brick won't work but if you are going to spend the effort to build it, I would optimize it.
Robert

 

Thank you
Fule is costly today and like hacksaw

Dave

 

Yeah propane is high. After you run out half way through a melt one day, you'll join the rest of us burning used motor oil and jet fuel.

 

Unscrew the valve and fill the tank fully with water to purge any residual gas before attempting cutting.

 

If memory serves, one of the guys on the other forum shot his tank with a rifle to make holes for water purging...
Robert

 

Was there anything left of the tank after the explosion?

 

He was shooting the 1 pounders.
Still a little iffy...