Petee mentioned his neighbor quietly built a block building in the backyard of his suburban home for bronze pouring (http://forums.thehomefoundry.org/index.php?threads/new-tools-sculptor-retired.2399/). I live in the suburbs in Michigan and am trying to figure out where to work year round. Our garage is unheated, and I'm struggling with where/how to keep green sand from freezing. What are some considerations for building a small, block building as a suburban micro-foundry? It's been twenty years since I've done any block work, and I was an amateur back then. How to keep it insulated/heated when I'm not melting comes to mind. I'd be tempted to just glue xps insulation boards to the walls except immediately around the furnace. Other thoughts?
I would definitely look at the newer insulated building blocks on the market. They might make for a more comfortable building in both summer and winter. A mini-split, good general insulation, insulated panels to block windows when not in use---might be very energy efficient, quiet, and easy to lay up. I do not have personal experience, though. Just sayin I would check it out. Denis
I have a concrete block workshop located in the tropics with the ends facing East-West and they are in shade in the morning and afternoon and I still notice significant thermal inertia: cool until midday and warm during the night even with the roof insulated. You'll need excellent ventilation for a furnace, so a rooftop awning open on walls on two to three sides for the furnace would be ideal with enough height to allow the exhaust gasses to cool a bit.... or just wheel the furnace outdoors when using it.
