I can tell you what happens if you spill molten aluminum on concrete. It ain't pretty. It EXPLODES. When the moisture in the concrete boils, it goes BANG. It goes everywhere. It goes up in the air. In my case it came down on the top of my head. Yes, hot liquid metal burning into my head. I was wearing a face shield so I'm lucky I'm not blind. I'm lucky my scalp recovered and don't have a bald patch. I have scars on my legs as it shot through my clothing. It was a very bad day. That was on dry concrete. What you are doing on WET concrete is VERY dangerous. Don't do it. Do it on the lawn or in a pan filled with sand. I might be sounding dramatic, but that is what happens. Don't let it be you.
@@lundgrenbronzestudios Thanks for the reply. Watching this, I was cringing inside after what happened to me. Molten metal is a formidable thing and should be treated with respect. Sorry to put this horror story on your channel, but I had to say something. The bang was like a gun shot. Hopefully my experience will help those that read it. Many won't unfortunately. The risk is real. I don't want it to happen to others. Stay safe. Matt from Australia
Those 30 pound cylinders intended for RV use have an excess flow check valve for safety. Always open the valve very slowly, if too fast and your ear is close, the click can be heard. Great furnace, I have the 6 kg vevor and it works great.
i just got a very similar 2 burner 12kg furnace. i got it cause i was having trouble with melting bronze on my crappy single burner. now bronze is no problem! i got a little vevor metal lathe and have been casting my bar stock to practice with. I'm super impressed that you've melted cast iron in that little furnace! woah! i thought you'd need a cupola for that and a long wait! Thanks for running one of the most informative home metal casting channels. i learn a lot of great stuff from your videos
My wife purchased this exact model for me for Christmas. I have experience with coal/charcoal blacksmith forges, but no prior experience with propane forges, nor with melting furnaces of any kind. I found setting up and operation pretty straight forward. I can say that melting copper was very easy and I had no problems. I have to agree that the tongs that come with the kit are no good for lifting the or pouring the crucible. Please please, invest in a good set of lifting tongs and pouring tongs as was suggested in the video. As a side note in that vein, I used refractory cement on the inside of my furnace and put on a fairly thick layer. As a result, the lifting tongs do not fit inside with the crucible and I have to reline the furnace using a thinner layer. Just something to be aware of if you go the refractory cement route.
I've been thinking about getting into this and now that I've seen this video and this review I definitely am going to go this route. Thank you for putting it through its paces and always thank you for keeping it real. You're one of my favorite TH-camrs for that!
Good test. My Devil's forge is similar with one burner. I am not sure if it will reach to cast iron but other metals have been OK. It is a good idea to use a heat bath under the gas tank. My problem with the Winter work is the freezing gas. Must try this.
Had no idea I needed to coat the insulation!? Thanks! Back when I was using propane a lot and the tank would freeze I would use a weed burner to heat the tank up. Looks crazy but works good. No recommended for the faint of heart, but neither is casting. On a pipe like that, probably whats burning off is poopoo, ha ha. I look forward to the after 6 mos review.
Just gpt tje 8k, looking at coating options, then a good tong design, so great timing. Going to make a larger one since I have most of the materials. Going to try using one propane burner and one used oil burner.
la ventaja de este horno es que esta construido con manta ceramica y este material refractario es muy efectivo para alcanzar la temperatura rapidamente, pero para utilizar frecuentemente no sirve. el roce con el util de sacar el crisol lo va rompiemdo y sufre un deterioro muy rapido. la tapa es aun de menos calidad y se deforma. los quemadores van bien, yo he construido un quemador igual para un horno vevor que compre solo para examinarlo, el horno que compre lleva solo un quemador y es con crisol de 7kg. los crisoles chinos no duran casi nada. a mi se me rompen rapido. yo compro crisoles de carburo de silicio, que son de un uso mas profesional, los hornos los fabrico con ladrillo refractario de alumina. para hornos pequeños utilizo quemadores de propano tipo venturi como estos, pero si el horno es un poco mas grande, construyo el quemador de propano con aire forzado por ventilador centrifugo. si el horno es de mas de 25kg de bronce, entonces los quemadores se los hago para funcionar con gasoil y aire forzado con ventilador centrifugo.. saludos
I have those tongs that you pinch the side of the crucible with, but I only use them for a small melts. I don’t use them when I do large melts because I’ve seen a lot of accidents happen online and I don’t want that to happen when I do the 10 pounds That is with cast-iron and the poor temperature is a little different than it’s melting temperature and I know it says 2200° but you have to get it a lot hotter to do that like the pouring temperature is close to 3000° like 2800° to be able to get it hot enough to melt it and pour it and when it’s melted I’ve melted a lot like three or four times I’ve melted it less than a year actually maybe like two years I think and it’ll look like silver and it will be really really fluid and you’ll see your reflection in it too. Just giving some advice on if you decide to do it anymore you’ll know what it looks like
I got one of these from Vevor. Not the exact same model. I haven't used it because I am nervous about lifting the hot crucible with that metal holser you said would be dangerous. I'm not sure where to get a proper lifter and I need a large crucible. I don't know where to get one of those either. This video is excellent. TY!
I have this furnace at home and I am very satisfied, but never try cast iron. I have seen plenty of videos a there said everywhere it cant be melted. So I never tried.I cant wait try it myself
Yes only to 2000F deg Sodium silicates are stable in neutral and alkaline solutions. In acidic solutions, the silicate ions react with hydrogen ions to form silicic acids, which tend to decompose into hydrated silicon dioxide gel.[citation needed] Heated to drive off the water, the result is a hard translucent substance called silica gel, widely used as a desiccant. It can withstand temperatures up to 1100 °C.
Yep I just ordered one, definitely want to try some cast iron. Based on this and other youtube videos the common issue seems to be the lid warps, might try to set a large discarded disc brake rotor atop to act as a heat sink. Or possibly make a new lid out of solid refractory with stainless steel mesh for reinforcement
It’s not dangerous. I was just doing it for a test. I have a crucible for each metal when I do my sculptures. Mixing al with copper simply makes aluminum bronze. Mixing iron with bronze is simply another alloy of bronze.
Be careful not to overheat, whats really needed is a gauge in between the tank and the regulator to monitor tank pressure, should keep it below 200 psi.
I can tell you what happens if you spill molten aluminum on concrete. It ain't pretty. It EXPLODES. When the moisture in the concrete boils, it goes BANG. It goes everywhere. It goes up in the air. In my case it came down on the top of my head. Yes, hot liquid metal burning into my head. I was wearing a face shield so I'm lucky I'm not blind. I'm lucky my scalp recovered and don't have a bald patch. I have scars on my legs as it shot through my clothing. It was a very bad day. That was on dry concrete. What you are doing on WET concrete is VERY dangerous. Don't do it. Do it on the lawn or in a pan filled with sand. I might be sounding dramatic, but that is what happens. Don't let it be you.
Sand would be better you are right.
@@lundgrenbronzestudios Thanks for the reply. Watching this, I was cringing inside after what happened to me. Molten metal is a formidable thing and should be treated with respect. Sorry to put this horror story on your channel, but I had to say something. The bang was like a gun shot. Hopefully my experience will help those that read it. Many won't unfortunately. The risk is real. I don't want it to happen to others. Stay safe. Matt from Australia
@ no it’s good to share that kind of thing.
@@lundgrenbronzestudios Yeah i guess. Its only a matter of time before some thing bad happens.
Are you able to pin my comment so it stays at the top ?
Those 30 pound cylinders intended for RV use have an excess flow check valve for safety. Always open the valve very slowly, if too fast and your ear is close, the click can be heard. Great furnace, I have the 6 kg vevor and it works great.
Another great video. Thanks again. Its worth buying for the crucible, tongs, fire bricks and burners, and chuck the rest!
happy you are back.
i just got a very similar 2 burner 12kg furnace. i got it cause i was having trouble with melting bronze on my crappy single burner. now bronze is no problem! i got a little vevor metal lathe and have been casting my bar stock to practice with.
I'm super impressed that you've melted cast iron in that little furnace! woah! i thought you'd need a cupola for that and a long wait!
Thanks for running one of the most informative home metal casting channels. i learn a lot of great stuff from your videos
I tried smelting my own iron and melting it and I was not able to get that to melt. So it seems that it’s very alloy dependent.
My wife purchased this exact model for me for Christmas. I have experience with coal/charcoal blacksmith forges, but no prior experience with propane forges, nor with melting furnaces of any kind. I found setting up and operation pretty straight forward. I can say that melting copper was very easy and I had no problems. I have to agree that the tongs that come with the kit are no good for lifting the or pouring the crucible. Please please, invest in a good set of lifting tongs and pouring tongs as was suggested in the video. As a side note in that vein, I used refractory cement on the inside of my furnace and put on a fairly thick layer. As a result, the lifting tongs do not fit inside with the crucible and I have to reline the furnace using a thinner layer. Just something to be aware of if you go the refractory cement route.
Glad to hear about this. Been looking at it for a while
I've been thinking about getting into this and now that I've seen this video and this review I definitely am going to go this route. Thank you for putting it through its paces and always thank you for keeping it real. You're one of my favorite TH-camrs for that!
I always keep it real.
Great Review.
This video and the comments will help me decide which propane forge I buy.
Maybe Devil Forge will send me one to review.
Very neat demonstration, thanks.
Good test. My Devil's forge is similar with one burner. I am not sure if it will reach to cast iron but other metals have been OK. It is a good idea to use a heat bath under the gas tank. My problem with the Winter work is the freezing gas. Must try this.
I haven’t tried a devil forge. They look nice though.
Had no idea I needed to coat the insulation!? Thanks! Back when I was using propane a lot and the tank would freeze I would use a weed burner to heat the tank up. Looks crazy but works good. No recommended for the faint of heart, but neither is casting. On a pipe like that, probably whats burning off is poopoo, ha ha. I look forward to the after 6 mos review.
I’ll keep you posted.
Yes coat the insulation. It's extremely dangerous to your long term health not to.
Just gpt tje 8k, looking at coating options, then a good tong design, so great timing. Going to make a larger one since I have most of the materials. Going to try using one propane burner and one used oil burner.
la ventaja de este horno es que esta construido con manta ceramica y este material refractario es muy efectivo para alcanzar la temperatura rapidamente, pero para utilizar frecuentemente no sirve. el roce con el util de sacar el crisol lo va rompiemdo y sufre un deterioro muy rapido. la tapa es aun de menos calidad y se deforma. los quemadores van bien, yo he construido un quemador igual para un horno vevor que compre solo para examinarlo, el horno que compre lleva solo un quemador y es con crisol de 7kg. los crisoles chinos no duran casi nada. a mi se me rompen rapido. yo compro crisoles de carburo de silicio, que son de un uso mas profesional, los hornos los fabrico con ladrillo refractario de alumina. para hornos pequeños utilizo quemadores de propano tipo venturi como estos, pero si el horno es un poco mas grande, construyo el quemador de propano con aire forzado por ventilador centrifugo. si el horno es de mas de 25kg de bronce, entonces los quemadores se los hago para funcionar con gasoil y aire forzado con ventilador centrifugo.. saludos
Great video cheers, it looks good.
They have an electric one as well, it would be good to see a review of it.
Maybe they will send me one of those next?
I have those tongs that you pinch the side of the crucible with, but I only use them for a small melts. I don’t use them when I do large melts because I’ve seen a lot of accidents happen online and I don’t want that to happen when I do the 10 pounds That is with cast-iron and the poor temperature is a little different than it’s melting temperature and I know it says 2200° but you have to get it a lot hotter to do that like the pouring temperature is close to 3000° like 2800° to be able to get it hot enough to melt it and pour it and when it’s melted I’ve melted a lot like three or four times I’ve melted it less than a year actually maybe like two years I think and it’ll look like silver and it will be really really fluid and you’ll see your reflection in it too. Just giving some advice on if you decide to do it anymore you’ll know what it looks like
What type of burner do you use for that?
I would love for you to test if you can DIY ceramic slurry out of some wild clay.
The ancient way. That would be a fun test.
I got one of these from Vevor. Not the exact same model. I haven't used it because I am nervous about lifting the hot crucible with that metal holser you said would be dangerous. I'm not sure where to get a proper lifter and I need a large crucible. I don't know where to get one of those either. This video is excellent. TY!
I made my own lifting tongs. I haven’t perfected them yet so I haven’t made a video.
Bravo........alwise pre heat metal......no snow.....cheers
2:33 that's what she said 😂
I have this furnace at home and I am very satisfied, but never try cast iron. I have seen plenty of videos a there said everywhere it cant be melted. So I never tried.I cant wait try it myself
I may have just had an alloy that worked. There seems to be a lot of different mixes of cast iron.
Can you use Water Glass , used also to seal eggs to preserve?
Sodium Silicate I think is the real
Name.
I’m not sure. I’ve never heard of that being used but silica is not really made for temperatures that high.
Yes only to 2000F deg
Sodium silicates are stable in neutral and alkaline solutions. In acidic solutions, the silicate ions react with hydrogen ions to form silicic acids, which tend to decompose into hydrated silicon dioxide gel.[citation needed] Heated to drive off the water, the result is a hard translucent substance called silica gel, widely used as a desiccant. It can withstand temperatures up to 1100 °C.
Love your videos mate, so informative.. Now I just have to get of my ass and do some casting.
if I buy one i'll use your link/.
Yep I just ordered one, definitely want to try some cast iron. Based on this and other youtube videos the common issue seems to be the lid warps, might try to set a large discarded disc brake rotor atop to act as a heat sink. Or possibly make a new lid out of solid refractory with stainless steel mesh for reinforcement
Never, ever use the same crucible for different metals!
It’s not dangerous. I was just doing it for a test. I have a crucible for each metal when I do my sculptures. Mixing al with copper simply makes aluminum bronze. Mixing iron with bronze is simply another alloy of bronze.
Ese horno es un juguete, para utilizar frecuentemente no sirve
Does it not last?
Man, I need to quit watching these kinds of videos. I have too many hobbies as it is. 😂
😆
I have found if I put a 1200W halogen lamp RIGHT next to the propane tank, it's usually good enough to keep pressure at down to -8C..
I’ve never tried that. Good tip!
Lol I know the look you had on your face all too well! That omfg I need long johns now look
Be careful not to overheat, whats really needed is a gauge in between the tank and the regulator to monitor tank pressure, should keep it below 200 psi.