Shop Floor Talk  

Go Back   Shop Floor Talk > Welding and Metalworking Forums > Blacksmithing & Forming

 
 
SFT Search:
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-09-2015, 02:30 PM
thegeekpub thegeekpub is offline
Newbie
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Keller, TX
Posts: 3
Default Mini Forge 2.0

Several years ago made a homemade forge (link to pictures if interested). It's basically a fire brick cut in half with a MAP gas torch on the side of it. I've had great luck using it for all kinds of projects.

However, it's recently outgrown my needs. I really want to make a forge or some kind of unit where I can melt aluminum down into ingots for casting. The only kind I see online when searching are either powered by charcoal or by electricity. I am wondering why. It seems gas would be more efficient.

Does anyone have an experience making a MAP gas forge to melt aluminum or am I just wasting my time and need to buy the real deal?
__________________
Mike Murray | www.TheGeekPub.com | Let's Make Stuff
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-09-2015, 03:30 PM
greywynd's Avatar
greywynd greywynd is offline
I can dig it
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Wainwright, Alberta
Posts: 7,007
Default

Lots of info online about propane, burners and furnaces, but the names escape me at the moment..... it's been several years since I did some basic reading on it. Will try to come up with a name or link, but maybe someone else will pipe in.

Sent from my iPhone using SFT
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-09-2015, 03:43 PM
USMCPOP's Avatar
USMCPOP USMCPOP is offline
Gold Star Dad
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Richmond, VA area
Posts: 12,374
Default

Search for homemade propane foundry furnace.
__________________
USMCPOP
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-09-2015, 05:11 PM
thegeekpub thegeekpub is offline
Newbie
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Keller, TX
Posts: 3
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by USMCPOP View Post
Search for homemade propane foundry furnace.
Ding. Ding. Ding. Give this man a medal! That was the key I needed right there! Furnace! I was searching for the wrong thing.
__________________
Mike Murray | www.TheGeekPub.com | Let's Make Stuff
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-09-2015, 07:01 PM
weldor2005's Avatar
weldor2005 weldor2005 is offline
Perpetuus Discipulus de Vita
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Marinette, WI - Menominee, MI
Posts: 2,903
Default

There are lots of plans for home foundries that use propane, or a oil burner. The caveat is that compared to alternative methods, say charcoal, propane can be pricier. Happy researching, I plan on making one in the future as well.
__________________
David

Finch Fabrication
My YouTube Channel

"Of all of our inventions for mass communication, pictures still speak the most universally understood language." - Walt Disney

"Formal education will make you a living;
Self education will make you a fortune." - Jim Rohn
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-09-2015, 07:29 PM
Walker's Avatar
Walker Walker is offline
Standard of Excellence
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cave Creek AZ
Posts: 4,671
Default

http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com/
__________________
Walker
Chief slag chipper and floor sweeper, Ironwood Artistic
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-09-2015, 09:05 PM
thegeekpub thegeekpub is offline
Newbie
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Keller, TX
Posts: 3
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by weldor2005 View Post
Happy researching, I plan on making one in the future as well.
Awesome! If you find any cool info be sure to share!!
__________________
Mike Murray | www.TheGeekPub.com | Let's Make Stuff
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-14-2015, 07:52 AM
monckywrench's Avatar
monckywrench monckywrench is offline
trust but verify
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Elsewhere
Posts: 4,464
Default

Scrap aluminum (and other metal) prices are way down so you might score some aluminum wheels or other auto parts to use for casting.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-15-2015, 11:48 AM
camdigger's Avatar
camdigger camdigger is offline
Roving Reporter
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Central Oilberta
Posts: 4,366
Default

I've used a 100,000 Btu Tiger Torch to melt Aluminum down. I just welded up a pint pot out of steel with a 3' handle and put everything in a big pipe to contain the heat a bit.

I also did some in that pot sticking the pot through the door of Dad's old wood and coal ship heater.

I welded up a 1 gallon pot and stood on a bed of coal in a very large pipe using a squirrel cage heater fan for a blower. Had to choke the intake into the homemade fan housing to keep from burning the pot.
__________________
Design to 0.001", measure to 1/32", cut with an axe, grind to fit..
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-15-2015, 02:02 PM
Ironman's Avatar
Ironman Ironman is offline
Iron Modification Investigator
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Warburg, Alberta
Posts: 17,489
Default

Cam, how was the product? was the aluminum casting any good?
__________________
Gerry
You got freedom of speech, if you don't say too much.
Aaron Neville.

When a liberal screams racism, you can bet they were also born with white skin.

Common sense is like deodorant. The people that need it most never use it. Joe Concha
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
aluminum, casting, forge

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Web Search:

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:08 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.