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My new foundry

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NormanV:
I had to leave my old foundry behind when I returned to the UK from abroad and now need one for my next project. I was living in the Falkland Islands and sourcing materials was a bit of a problem but I managed to find everything that I needed for next to no cost. For fuel I used peat that was free. I successfully produced a number of castings.
I thought that being in the UK it would be easier, not true, nothing is available locally and I have had to search Ebay or travel long distances to get materials.
At long last I was ready to start building today I obtained an old vacuum cleaner from a scrap yard that was the right size and is on a wheeled trolley, plus the motor will do for the air supply.
The drum is stainless steel which should solve the rusting problem that I had with my old one.

NormanV:
I found a supplier of refractory materials that were very helpful, good prices and no minimum order.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/PotteryProUK . I can thoroughly recommend them ( I have no connection with them)
I lined the bottom of the drum with 3" thick fire bricks which cut reasonably easily with a club hammer and a bolster. I knocked the corners of the bricks off with the bolster to enable me to fit seven bricks around the sides.

doubleboost:
Looking very nice
Are you going to use propane to heat it
John

NormanV:
I then packed the gaps with ceramic fibre
(I rather foolishly bought 15kg of offcuts which consists of strips approx. 30" x 3" x 1", I used about     1/2 KG and have a lot left over, anybody want some for the cost of the postage and bag from the post office?)

NormanV:
It is now completely lined, tomorrow I will be making the lid.
For the lid I will be using 50mm thick ceramic fibre board which I intend to plaster over with refractory cement.
John, I am hoping to be able to use it initially with charcoal and eventually with propane, unfortunately there is no free peat in Lincolnshire!
I plan on having the crucible standing on two pieces of fire brick that will enable the propane flame to surround the crucible as there was already a tuyere hole that leads straight into the drum and not at an angle to prevent the flame from burning directly on the crucible.

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