So you want to make an exploding furnace...

Me too!!!

Published on July 8, 2008 By Spc Nobody Special In Humor

Why is this in humor? I don't know. Which humor is it? Don't know that either, maybe bile?

Did not accomplish much today. Joy and I have been having trouble, so today was kind of a take it easy day. The fourth went well, set off beaucioup amounts of pretty pretty type fireworks. (would you believe bang bang types are illegal in Washington?)

Other coolness is going on, got some yarn, although haven't started to knit anything yet, and a distortion pedal for my electric guitar, but coolest of all, I fired up the bottom half of my new furnace. Majorly wicked. Stuck a 1/2 inch steel rod in there for s and g, and had it between orange and yellow in three minutes with no top, and needing to adjust the torch. Took a few swipes at it on the anvil, and now I've got the beginnings of a decent cold chisel.

For the few guys that have googled this and want to know what I did, it's a homemade updraft propane torch in a giant version of a homemade coffecan furnace using a nine gallon galvanized bucket for a shell, homemade refractory using the backyardmetalcasters.com recipe, and lined with some fiberglass insulation and wire running across the inside of the refractory for tensile strength. Since I got the rod glowing at the edge of yellow, call that about 1100 degrees or so. Without. a. lid.

In lay terms, it's my old furnace, but bigger, better, faster, and hotter. Can't wait to finish the top and put it on. When I figure out where my frickin' photo accounts are AND do a melt, badass photos will follow. Including of course the solid steel glowstick.

As with all my metal working articles, do not attempt to repeat anything I do as burning and/or explosions can be hazardous to your health.

Comments

Spc Nobody Special

on Jul 08, 2008

Forgot about the exploding part in the title. Blew out a little of the refractory on the inside surface when it cooled after the first heat. Nothing but some mild cosmetic damage, but little red hot cement chips went flying ten feet.

Mighty Maid

on Jul 09, 2008

It is amazing what you can find on the internet.

So is this a black smith type of furnace? Forgive me my ignorance. I am always willing to learn something new. Even if it is just a little bit about a subject.

Spc Nobody Special

on Jul 10, 2008

Mostly I use it for casting rather than forging. Mostly played with aluminum, zinc, lead, and a few of the other easy metals, my new one should handle brass and bronze with no problems. I've also experimented with a little smithing, but I'm really waiting until I get the chance to set up a proper forge. This setup wastes a lot of fuel if it's used as a forge.

Can't resist the occasional bit though. Made a nice chisel with a copper sheathing tonight (used an old grounding rod)

To lw, tentative nervous maybe?

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