For small scale casting of metals with a low to moderate melting point the equipment can be build from common materials. The most basic is probably the the so called flowerpot furnace. It consists of a ceramic container like a flowerpot that has been fitted with an hole for an blower pipe. It is filled with charcoal and the crucible for melting the metal. One of the easier raw materials used is scrap aluminum ( like soda cans ) with a melting point of ~660 °C. Melting brass is not done as easily because of the higher melting point of ~900°C. More elaborate smelters can be build with a burner for propane of waste oil ( vegetable-oil or motor-oil ). The needed blower can be electric or a bellows. The crucible may be nothing more complicated than a steel pot.
See Also
External Links
- Association of Backyard Metalcasters
- A site for all your adventures in metalcasting, created by the backyard casting community at large.
- BackyardMetalcasting.com
- Melting metal in a home foundry, backyard metalcasting, metal casting.