How to Build an Aluminum Foundry!

Watch as I build a foundry for melting aluminum. Melt cans using charcoal and a hair dryer! Melt aluminum cans and scrap into ingots! Light weight! I do not recommend you try this... It can be dangerous!! I am also not a professional foundry builder.
History: My original forge I made was concrete and coarse perlite and had a stainless steel liner (pot) but after a few melts the liner warped so mush the forge started to crack apart. This new lightweight forge works much better and can be moved easily. The forge and cover weight about 18 pounds. I used a hair dryer with high and low airflow, only use low setting because the forge will melt your crucible. Soda cans and beer cans melt quickly but give you lots of dross. I pour the molten aluminum thru the dross and then knock the dross out onto the ground after it has cooled a little. The ingots melt and give very little dross which makes doing projects much easier. I have been making anthill castings which are pretty cool. I have used this forge about 10 times and it still looks new, although slightly discolored.
Materials: 6 gallon steel bucket, 1 1/2 in dia. iron pipe 6 inches long, 1 1/2 in PVC slip to thread adapter, 1 1/2 PVC pipe 8-10 inches long, 10 quart plastic paint bucket, 5 gallon plastic bucket, coarse perlite, 15 lbs plaster of paris, hair dryer, two 2 inch u-bolts, 2 inch hole saw, 3-4 inch hole saw, duct tape, charcoal, crucible (mine is 4 inch iron pipe with end cap) and lots of cans.
Inspired by...
Grant Thompson - "The King of Random"
How To Make The Mini Metal Foundry
• How To Make The Mini M...
Melting Cans With The Mini Metal Foundry
• Melting Cans With The ...
... and others.
~-~~-~~~-~~-~
Please watch: "2 Minute Side Mirror Replacement for Your Car"
• Mirror Replacement 200...
~-~~-~~~-~~-~

[@GeordieT]

Without doubt the best video on this subject. Clear and concise. Thanks!!

[@XXplaythegamesXX]

i did it the same like you show here : no aluminium left in the neighbourhood !!!!! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS !!!!! so well done !!! thank you for sharing this with us UTUBERS !!!!!!!

[@heathputnam9524]

+FRIEDHELM ERNST ESSER Great! All my neighbors lawn chairs disappeared!! I have no idea where they went!!! Thanks for the comment!

[@warren3174]

You make excellent tutorials. Kept me interested and keyed in the whole time. Well done sir.

[@thisissoeasy]

That was really neat. Well presented. Thanks for sharing.

[@heathputnam9524]

Thanks for the comment!

[@ryansizemore5064]

Thank you. I was wanting to make a version with a larger furnace area. Awesome work.

[@DavidJones-mv5qk]

It's easy to scale up or down

[@Noorstud]

Nice & very clear job! Thanks

[@heathputnam9524]

Sulais thanks for the comment!

[@exterbush1253]

very good video man, simple, cheap and effective. you get a like from me.

[@heathputnam9524]

+Exter Bush Thanks for the comment!

[@FranksDIY]

Love it I want to build one. Going to subscribe to see more . Two thumbs up

[@DerCalatz]

Heath, thanks for the video and answering all the questions in the comments. After reading most of the questions i was hoping you could shed some light on the quality and life expectancy of this / your mixture of perlite and plaster of paris, since im planning on building a furnace for blacksmithing. Its main purpose would be heating up leaf spring steel just above 1000 deg C so that I can flatten it. This would subject your furnace to the highest temperature possible over a longer time. Will you let me know? Thanks in advance!

[@gagasmancave8859]

Hi heath i made one to your idea, it works great melts ally and brass, many thanks

[@heathputnam9524]

Happy to help!

[@lorjamo]

thanks this is. great summer project

[@heathputnam9524]

+J Money Good luck and be careful! Thanks for the comment!

[@cybaneticcybanetic441]

GREAT VIDEO

[@AwesomeCreationOfficial]

Nice Work

[@heathputnam9524]

Thanks for the comment!

[@rosarioaguilar7335]

Excellent video

[@heathputnam9524]

Thanks for the comment!

[@backpages1]

Did you consider spraying the outside of the plastic bucket with oil (cooking, baby, etc.) to use as a 'release' agent from the plaster of paris? (sorry if this was already covered somewhere)

[@AffordBindEquipment]

what about heating the inside bucket to help remove it? Or slitting it to fold in on itself? also, what did you use for your crucible?

[@jo3lsilvaracidesigner946]

Thanks for sharing it.

[@heathputnam9524]

Thanks for the comment!

[@zacharyherman8437]

Hey I love the vid. I made my own. To anyone thinking that this will be way to big, it’s not as big as you would think. Also, do I need a hair drier that I can turn off the heating coils on? Those cost more. Ps, is eazyer to pour the plaster mix into the free lid the bucket comes with from Home Depot instead of makeing your own lid. I didn’t have a hole saw so I marked out the hole on the metal lid, then perforated it with a nail set, after that, I hammered a flat head screw driver in between each little hole to cut out a little disk from the lid. After that I just carved away at the soft plaster with a acre driver to make the hole. Did the same method for the air intake. I also mixed steel wool into the lid so it would be stronger.

[@heathputnam9524]

So the hair drier is just for forced air. Any one will work. Thanks for watching!

[@wilbradford619]

Very cool , i think this is what I'll make 😎👍

[@jannerick2]

Awesome as always. Have you seen Grant Thompson's video? If so, why did you make this one? I've heard that these refractory mixes with plaster of paris often crumble after being fired up a few times. Any thoughts? Thanks for making!

[@heathputnam9524]

Righteous King I have a really short video on my channel of a foundry I made a couple years ago. No audio, really short, 11 seconds long. It was my first attempt made out of cement. It crumbled quickly. I have been experimenting rocket stoves a little and came up with this mix. It is lightweight and I have used it quite a bit and it has not cracked yet. When I am melting aluminum I can pick the cover and the forge up with my bare hands. It seems to insulate extremely well. You do have to be careful when handling any refractory! Thanks for the comment!

[@VenturiLife]

Nice instructional.

[@heathputnam9524]

+shades2 Thanks for the comment!

[@fxpose]

Nice! I'm going to make a shichirin using this method...

[@heathputnam9524]

How did it work? Thanks for watching!

[@heathputnam9524]

I use a 4 inch diameter iron pipe with a cap for my crucible. This has been used for many time with no signs of burning out.

[@alexmohammed2968]

Me to

[@mr.dr.kaiser4912]

Did you weld something to the end of it or what? Basically, how did you cap off the end?

[@heathputnam9524]

No welding, just get a 4" iron pipe and a screw on cap for it.

[@mr.dr.kaiser4912]

I thought that's what you meant, but wasn't sure if it would be air-tight, but apparently it is. Thanks for the info!

[@heathputnam9524]

Yes sir. The iron pipe is meant for water lines.

[@lukecole2285]

What did you used to melt the cans in and how to make it?

[@marcdallaire8239]

+Heath Putnam I recently made a foundry and was wondering if I could tuck tape the steel pipe to the pvc pipe instead of am adapter. or do you think it would get too hot and melt it right off? thanks

[@heathputnam9524]

marc dallaire Even the threaded adapter melts a little, but the duct tape is worth a try. If you wrap some aluminum foil around the iron pipe, it may dissipate enough heat so the tape does not melt. Or use a longer pipe. Good luck and thanks for the comment!

[@ANTHONYWMITCHELL]

how tall is your crucible from top to bottom , I am going to weld a piece of steel to the bottom of a piece of 4" schedule 40 pipe .

[@29roadie17]

Very helpful.

[@heathputnam9524]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hanoroam2259]

How much time does it need to achieve temperature to melt Aluminum

[@aparecidocaneschi8398]

gostei do video,você sabe como derreter cavaco de torno de aluminio?sou brasileiro espero que traduza.

[@technoid3995]

i had made one but it produce a lot of smoke that make my eyes start irritating plz give suggestion...i have used coal instead of charcoal plz suggest

[@911Keaton]

How long should I let the plaster cure before using the foundry?

[@lvd2001]

How well your mix insulate the heat when compare with the fire bricks? Thanks

[@heathputnam9524]

You can put your hand on the outside while melting aluminum! Thanks for the comment!

[@wissewester3375]

you can use oil to keep it from sticking since it rejects water

[@heathputnam9524]

+Wisse Wester I bet that would work! Thanks for the comment!

[@HazzardousEco]

What are some good examples for a steel crucible? Grant Thompson uses a small steel fire extinguisher, but doesn't give any other examples...

[@scubrodiver]

made a foundry similar to this not too long ago, converted it to burn waste oil or propane. When waiting for it to set, instead of holding the bucket down into the mix, I just set a scrap piece of 2x6 across the entire thing and put a paint can on top. Makes everything level with no effort on my part

[@heathputnam9524]

+scubrodiver Great idea. Mine was not perfectly level. Thanks for the comment!

[@dryflycaster]

Great video and the foundry looks terrific. Have you attempted to melt silver with this foundry ? If not, do you think the foundry will generate enough heat to melt silver ?

[@heathputnam9524]

Not yet! I am not sure if it will do silver with charcoal, someone else suggested trying coal! thanks for watching!

[@diegobrown19]

Just got done with mine a couple hours ago...How long should I let the plaster and sand mix dry before firing it up?

[@heathputnam9524]

+diegobrown19 I waited for a couple days. And started a regular charcoal fire and let it just burn out, before trying to melt aluminum. Thanks for the comment!

[@Engineerboy100]

Can I use Vaseline as a mold release to make removing the 10 quart bucket easier or will it react with the plaster mix? Thanks

[@heathputnam9524]

+Engineerboy 100 Vaseline should work well. Thanks for the comment!

[@Jack-ge1st]

Spray it with your wife's cooking spray! PAM

[@Anarasha]

A relevent information in this case is how long the thing needs to dry before being taken into use - I'm on a week and a half now, impatiently trying to slowly warm it up to test if it's dry enough

[@johnharrington2831]

My comment is to ask how you put the crucible back to continue melting once you remove it and pour off the aluminum ? yes I intend to build this (your) foundry and use it, thank you for the instructions ...was just you had a answer for the problem I see.Johnny B.

[@heathputnam9524]

Usually the charcoal falls to the bottom. Just set the crucible on top of it and add more around the crucible and turn forge fan on. It will remedy quickly!

[@debrawilliams1287]

What kind of can are you using to hold the melted aluminum

[@heathputnam9524]

The crucible is made out of a 5 inch long 4 inch diameter black iron pipe with a 4 inch pipe cap on one end. Thanks for the comment!

[@nobackhands]

I understand plaster of Paris will break down...How made melts can you get?

[@heathputnam9524]

I have used it at least 15 times. You do need to be gentle with it. The plaster is fragile but works great! Thanks for watching!

[@Anarasha]

Seriously, thank you. This video is the first I have been able to find that adresses the viewer at an at-home level without urging you to use materials that will literally explode. So far, I have seen the following types of videos on this: "Ok so then you take your $100.000 industrial machine with gold inlays and then you have it travel to the future to obtain a power source....", "Ok so go to the junk yard and scrap three ovens, take their heating elements and then go sweep powder for a month at a building site at night when nobody is there and it hasn't rained" or "Ok lol, so then you pour some concrete into your flower pot and hope it doesn't explode in your face when you use it!" Other than that, there are guides by hobbyists on how to make old-school brick furnaces with bricks and mud, and let me tell you, they are almost impossible to keep tight enough to keep the heat in.... This video actually precisely explains how to make a proper, low budget smelting furnace with materials that you admittedly won't nescessarily have in your kitchen but that can easily be obtained at low price. And while I haven't tested this furnace just yet, I am confident this will actually be what I've been looking for. So thank you. Will I be able to smelt copper and brass in there too? Or do I need to look up some other designs for that?

[@heathputnam9524]

Anarasha lol, I have melted copper in mine using charcoal. It does take much more time than aluminum, but doable. You may have better luck using coal due to the higher burning temperature. Good luck! Thanks for the comment!

[@Anarasha]

Thanks! :D I used an expensive propane torch for jewelry to burn directly into my crucible before, but honestly, that's only really viable for gold and silver, it takes too long and is far too impractical for most other metals, so this will come in very handy!

[@heathputnam9524]

Thanks for the interesting comments! I have melted copper, you will have to add charcoal servers time and keep the hairdryer on high!

[@thomasmccusker5187]

What did you make your crucible out of ?

[@heathputnam9524]

It is a 4” steel pipe nipple with a 4” steel pipe cap.

[@aaronlizotte5247]

Hey look! It's the king of random video on your chanel! What are the odds!

[@heathputnam9524]

A little different!

[@Technobot-lw3rc]

I made a foundry like this using Grant Thhompsons guide but the lid broke because of the hear and the inside is really easy to scratch away. Do you have any ornery also used about half a bag of charcoals and the fans didn't even get hit enough to melt. Help would be appreciated :)

[@scottymartin5892]

Technobot3000 what do you mean fans didn't melt ? And it cracks all the time watch grants newest video about the foundry he said if the lid cracks make a new one reinforcing it with something

[@fuu877]

9:10 Recyclin at its finest.

[@JoshswhipsandlanyardsJWL]

can you make a crucible from the refractory mix? just cast it from a measuring cup? will it hold the molten metal and not melt through? thanks

[@scottwillis5434]

Not safe! Crucibles must be strong enough to handle and hold heavy melted metal when red hot.

[@ChristopherJones16]

use clay, graphite powder and a binding agent. I might try making one with water glass.

[@matthewk937]

Could you do two steel buckets with sand in between them, with a blower for a cheaper build.

[@heathputnam9524]

That will work... Although I will give my opinion. The inside bucket will obviously get extremely hot and will deform a lot. The sand is not as good of an insulator so will get very hot and transfer heat to the outer can which will also get hot. You will also need to come up with some sort of cover that will hold in the heat and not break or explode. Good luck with your build and be very careful! Thanks for the comment!

[@giuseppe333]

Is the hairdryer enough potent to stoke in a good way the fire?

[@heathputnam9524]

Giuseppe 33 yes, it has plenty of airflow! Thank you for the comment!

[@elsenorc4551]

Plaster and Plaster of Paris are the same thing? Excuse my ignorance. Good video btw.

[@fireblade639]

hey , i'm thinking on build mine but a really need some pros and cons... do you guys think the charcoal one would be enough to pour 2 liter of aluminium or should i build the gas one??? i can build both but i can't decide which one...

[@heathputnam9524]

+fireblade639 Either one will melt 2 liters of aluminum. Make sure you start with you crucible. A 2 liter crucible is pretty big and must be totally enclosed within the foundry so it can be covered. The major con I have seen with charcoal is you need to refill it a couple times during a large melt. I like the propane for another reason also. I do not need electricity with my burner design. I made a propane burner for mine but it is convertible to either burn charcoal or propane. Good luck and don't hesitate to ask questions! Thanks for commenting!

[@connordziadul6048]

This seems so much more efficient than a propane-style foundry. I’m not talking weight, but the price per BTU

[@Rose-ec6he]

Depends on the material costs in your region.

[@bubblesharrison2110]

It depends on how often you use it

[@AS-ug2vq]

Gas is cheaper if you buy in bulk

[@heathputnam9524]

Thanks for the comment!

[@mccabelowe4783]

Is that metal 6 gallon bucket galvanized? Looks like it. Is that safe?

[@heathputnam9524]

+McCabe Lowe With this insulated refractory cement recipe I used; the bucket never even gets warm. After many uses the label has not even come off the bucket. If the bucket did get hot enough to start to burn the galvanization it would pose a problem. Thanks for the comment!

[@myfreestylebmx1]

what kind of temperatures can you achieve could you melt copper?

[@heathputnam9524]

+myfreestylebmx1 I have not tried to melt copper. My crucible starts to glow almost white with the hair drier on high so I only use low for Aluminum. I believe it could handle copper, let me know if you do it. Thanks for the question and thanks for viewing!

[@creativevirgo12]

i thank thee for thoroughly explaining process. I am authoring "How FAR is Away?'' regarding converting "trash to cash" & thus share an commonly overlooked source of aluminum: dry mix powder envelops such as 'hot chocolate' 'dry milk' 'seasoning mix' 'denture tablets' dry nut and bread crumb containers ie: inner rim and paper...burn away paper to reveal...........FOIL! dry non dairy creamers single serve etc etc etc.

[@orey6637]

Can this melt brass?

[@avery2306]

Could you build this from natural materials like clay, mud, and crushed stones? I've only seen it once, and it would be nice to see instructions.

[@heathputnam9524]

Damien B I'll try it, if it works, I'll post a video

[@corbinsauls5699]

can u use sand instated of perlite if I can't find it?

[@mheermance]

Corbin Sauls You can, but pearlite insulates the interior and allows for faster melts.

[@parkerbenz]

I remember when I made one of these. I let it get a little toooo hot, and it melted my iron crucible, fusing bits of aluminum, iron and charcoal together. It was like the charcoal melted and was mixed with balls of iron and aluminum. Be careful!

[@peterhenson823]

What did you use as a crucible? The same one Grant used?

[@heathputnam9524]

I used a 4 inch iron pipe with a cap. Thanks for the comment!

[@peterhenson823]

@@heathputnam9524 creative. Liked how you used the hair dryer instead of the propane too. Awesome video thanks for sharing.

[@lowdownkilla]

I got the 6 gallon bucket and 10 quart plastic bucket, 4inch pipe with cap etc.. everything from your video. The only difference is I am using play sand and plaster of paris. I am not sure what the exact mix I need. With the 6 gallon bucket, the displacement of mix I need is about 15 quarts like you said in your video. So what is the mix I need. 1/2 sand, 1/2 plaster of paris, 1/4 water? Do I need to included the water in the three part mix to add up to the 15 qt displacement? Or do I just mix the dry materials to the 15 qt and then just add water on top of that? 7.5 quarts each of plaster of paris and play sand? ​ ​Thanks in advance.

[@heathputnam9524]

your dry mix should equal your measured 15 quarts, the add the water. Good luck! Thanks for the comments!

[@lowdownkilla]

+Heath Putnam yeah I was trying to figure out how much water I needed. after checking out a bunch of sites and other videos. I did 7 quarts each of p.o.p. and play sand and did 5 quarts of water. I just mixed it today. it seamed to work pretty good. still drying. Thanks for the video.

[@heathputnam9524]

Jim Cole.... I cannot reply directly to you your comments are turned off. I use a 4 inch piece of iron pipe with a pipe cap on one end. It has lasted many melts!

[@achyutdevare6954]

Can we use this furnace for melting copper ??

[@heathputnam9524]

It will get that hot but I would try coal instead of charcoal. Thanks for watching!

[@TheT2eL]

Hi, its been a while since you built this thing. So, how has it held up? How many pours have you done? Any changes/improvements you would do if you had to make another one? Nice video btw.

[@heathputnam9524]

+TheT2eL I have used it at least 20 times. The burn chamber is holding up well, the cover did break. I would add some re-enforcing wire while pouring the cover. I will be posting a new video for my new forge/foundry combo. Thanks for the comment!

[@danielramos4044]

Berry nice...

[@heathputnam9524]

THANKS FOR WATCHING!

[@retiredfederalie178]

Something I missed here is perlite floats! It either needs to be saturated prior or realize where he puts the perlite in it will float and separate from the plaster of Paris if you use his recommended 10qts of water. The plaster mix I bought was not 1-1 mix it was 2 parts dry to 1part water. So I started over.

[@heathputnam9524]

Keep mixing until the perlite stops separating and floating. Then pour it in. Thanks for the tip and for watching!

[@replayable]

Can this foundry melt copper aswell? Also (stupid question) what metal is the bucket and muffin pan made out of lol.

[@heathputnam9524]

+Replayable It will melt copper, but takes a while. The bucket and muffin trays are steel. Thanks for the comment:)

[@replayable]

Thanks

[@Phantom_Duck]

i am gona try this project this weekend! i have one problem ,what to use for the inside (glass)! i triend and cut a paint sprey but it seams rly thin so i dont think it can huntle it! any ideas on what i can use for the inside holder?

[@heathputnam9524]

+Phantom Duck If you are talking about the crucible...I use a 4 inch diameter iron pipe with a cap for my crucible. This has been used for many time with no signs of burning out. I got mine at FW Webb plumbing supplies! Thanks for the comment!

[@Phantom_Duck]

+Heath Putnam thanks a lot for your answer m8. its a bit hard to find such a think here. actualy i dont know where to ask but well i will find something. some sugest me to take an fire extinguisher and cut it. but that seams hard too haha:-P. thanks again. u have any tips that i need to be carefull about the constraction? i will try to make it this weekend if i find all the stuff i need :-P

[@heathputnam9524]

Amazon actually sells graphite crucibles reasonable.

[@codeinepromethazine9133]

how long it takes to heat the furnace and melt the cans

[@herpmahderpflurpledumunumu7080]

Im trying to melt aluminum using a forge built out of stacked basaltrocks , didnt quite get the right heat the other day but I think I realised my mistake now , if this works ill definitly record it xD

[@heathputnam9524]

Thanks for the comment! did you get yours working yet?

[@kngsvg8201]

nice vid

[@heathputnam9524]

Thanks for the comment!

[@spineriot2955]

Charcoal? Hank Hill would't be proud.

[@JoshswhipsandlanyardsJWL]

how much did all this cost bro? me and a friend want to make it and need to know the price? +Heath Putnam

[@heathputnam9524]

+Josh's whips and lanyards $15 for the steel bucket $15 for the plaster $15 for the fittings $15 for the perlite and some misc. Probably $75 if you buy everything. You don't have to buy the bucket if you can find one somewhere. You may be able to find the fittings lying around also. Good luck if you try it... Let me know how it goes! Thanks for the comments. Check the description for the parts you will need!

[@jthreeb]

I run a charity where we scrap pop cans, do you think this is worth doing then taking them in for scrap? Where i'm from it's about .50 a pound for pop cans and over 1.00 for aluminium

[@heathputnam9524]

+Jeremiah Bowes Because of slag (paint and other impurities) you will get between 1/2 and 3/4 lb of pure aluminum for each lb of cans you melt. So you would be better off to melt the cans down. If you melt on collection day your storage will be easier. Good Luck and thanks for the comment!!

[@jthreeb]

Thanks!

[@tomjohnson8548]

how long does the foundry last before cracking and breaking up?

[@heathputnam9524]

+tom johnson As with any refractory it is fragile. It will last many firings as long as you are gentle with it. I have used mine at least 30 times so far and it is still in good working order. Thanks for the comment!

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

Making the lid, I put a greased plastic cup upside down in the mold. that way, no material wasted, and no need to drill or buy a hole saw.

[@heathputnam9524]

Good idea, thanks for the comment!

[@Sheriff3466]

Have you figured out a way to keep the charcoal in place so you can replace and continue easily?

[@heathputnam9524]

+Sheriff3466 Not yet, That's a tough one. I am working on a propane burner conversion that makes that a non-issue. Thanks for the comment!

[@Sheriff3466]

+Heath Putnam Awesome, thanks for the prompt response.

[@heathputnam9524]

+Sheriff3466 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipqTp2Snos2cmaM Here is my first attempt at a propane conversion... more to come!

[@TerranceSTL]

how much you charge to build one for me

[@lakmalchaminda6393]

How much maximum heat capacity ...?

[@heathputnam9524]

Thanks for watching!

[@danc.9023]

how long does the aluminum melt?....approximate

[@heathputnam9524]

About 20-30 minutes depending on how much. I always put a few small scraps in the bottom that melt quickly and starts a small pool of aluminum on the bottom. That helps the stuff you add to melt much faster! Thanks for the comment!

[@jameseveland6718]

Hey thank you so !much I'm gonna start doing this make a lil extra cash it's hard living on a budget

[@heathputnam9524]

Great! Glad I could help! Thanks for watching!

[@Sheriff3466]

About how many cans did you use in this video?

[@heathputnam9524]

+Sheriff3466 About 60 to 75 cans were used in this video, but they were mostly larger energy drink cans. probably 80 to 100 regular sized cans would be necessary. Thanks for the comment!

[@SubatomicSxge]

Could I use just plaster?

[@heathputnam9524]

You could but the outside will get much hotter to the touch! Thanks for watching!

[@rashessuck9701]

so would this be able to melt anything but aluminum or no?

[@heathputnam9524]

+rashessuck I have only melted aluminum in it.

[@AwakeningEnthusiast]

Yes you can melt copper, gold, silver using this type of Foundry.

[@snowflakepatrol3214]

for everyone saying he "copied grant exactly" that's not true at all his design is similar but different size (which is basically the same) but a big difference is he used vermiculite/perlite instead of play sand

[@MeatSim9]

+Cody Lee Yeah, Grant's is a nice starter one, but it's only big enough for smaller fire extinguishers, and bigger forges means bigger crucibles, as well as more coal room. I like the idea of vermiculite making the forge lighter as well, but my first go at it hasn't turned out. (Neither did my first go at Grant's forge)

[@DavidJones-mv5qk]

If you want to save your bucket, use vegetable oil. I drilled my hole about an hour after it cured and it seems to be fine so far.

[@heathputnam9524]

thanks for the tip!

[@CharlieRodz]

can this foundry be used with a gas burner ??.. nice video. thanks

[@heathputnam9524]

+cardzt Should be able to handle it. I have not tried it yet but do plan on trying! Thanks for the comment!

[@CharlieRodz]

thanks, please post another nice video when you do so !

[@heathputnam9524]

OK, I will! :)

[@420rebel3]

Is the galvanized (zinc coating) steel a risk factor at all when using these buckets for a foundry or does the fact that they are cool enough to touch while running mean there's no risk to galvanized fumes? I have searched & search & can not find any steel buckets that are not galvanized.

[@therubbermeep7456]

yes dude thats why but if it ever burns the outer bucket some how.. call the hospital that zinc is very dangerous so dont just take one source as fact do more research!becuase one mistake with this kind of project could cause permanent damage due to the nature of the project

[@420rebel3]

Thank you for the rely. Yes know zinc is nothing to play with. I'm not taking my info from one source. But no matter how many of these I see on youtube or else where, I'm still confused why folks even risk it. I don't like the risk factor. I decided to passup the bucket idea all together. I'm gona put together some red bricks, mortar, & line the inside with the plaster/sand mix. Besides red brick always looks great :)

[@therubbermeep7456]

good idea but the zinc really isnt a problem with this method and you never want to breath the smoke anyways caution is always the answer

[@lowdownkilla]

I found the exact same bucket that he used at Home depot. With the plaster lining that actual outside bucket does not get over 200 degrees so it does not melt the bucket at all.

[@pappy451]

mixing the dry ingredients ...get 2 - 5 gal. buckets and dump the stuff back and forth.much easier than stirring. good stuff. 380

[@heathputnam9524]

+Pappy Oh... Good idea! Thanks for the comment!

[@pappy451]

you are welcome.we used to do that with paint... if a job takes 45 gallons,color has to be consistent...sooo, we "box" it back and forth until satisfied. always worked well.

[@felipelegorretagarcia7031]

Excelet !! Thanks

[@heathputnam9524]

Felipe Legorreta Garcia thanks for the comment!

[@loganzister9344]

Do u use it a lot or not that much

[@heathputnam9524]

I've used it about 10 times. Thanks for watching!

[@KennethElstonBAK]

Why did you use a different mixture for the lid?

[@MeatSim9]

+Kenneth Elston Well, because the lid is smaller. He still used the 2 parts plaster to 1 part vermiculite ratio, all he changed was the amounts.

[@KennethElstonBAK]

Thanks

[@doormagic]

Why you use gesso and vermiculite and not gesso with sand?

[@heathputnam9524]

Vermiculite is a much better insulator than sand and it makes the furnace much lighter to move. Thanks for the question!

[@erikthegoprofanatic4437]

i was wondering why did he use a 1:2 ratio of perlite to plaster of paris, when Grant used 1:1 sand to plaster of paris. Whats the reason for that?

[@ChristopherJones16]

perlite is lighter than sand.

[@SuperPeter05]

Erik theGoProFanatic the idea is u wont pockets of air in the cement/ clay/ plaster mix. Air pockets are the insulator. Is u can get rock salt cheep it's great, when dry fully, rinse and dissolve the salt away

[@ChristopherJones16]

SuperPeter05 I thought about that as well.. but I feel like cavities will just weaken it.. maybe i would try that on a second Foundry.

[@BibleU777]

I've tried similar designs but always burn out crucibles. Any tips on affordable ones?

[@billlange9408]

+Knowledge Scavenger I just picked up everything to make mine. I'm going with Grant's video for everything except the crucible. I picked up a graphite one off Amazon for a good price. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FBFUB3U?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01

[@BibleU777]

***** Thanks, I'll check that out.

[@heathputnam9524]

+Knowledge Scavenger I use a 4 inch diameter iron pipe with a cap for my crucible. This has been used for many time with no signs of burning out. Be careful and make sure you preheat your clay graphite crucible before putting it in your foundry. If not it may crack and split in half. Good luck with it, let me know how it works.

[@BibleU777]

Heath Putnam Thanks! Does the preheating need to be done just the first time or before every use? Also, how can it be safely preheated?

[@heathputnam9524]

The following came off a comment on Amazon..."place it in a 400 degree oven for ten minutes; place crucible in oven while it preheats, after the oven reaches 400 degrees, set your timer for ten minutes"... also states it will crack if you do not preheat. It does have very positive reviews though. I think its worth a shot.

[@TriangleStirling]

nice video! very clear. got a few questions: you used another ratio for the lid, why? what is a good ratio? how did you exaxtly decide how to mix? I understand how you figured out how much mix you needed, bit how did you figure out the parts of different ingredients? I've built Grant Thompson's version, but it is falling apart very quick. don't know why, even other foundries seem to last longer. maybe my mix was not right. is this mix holding up right? only plaster of Paris and vermite(can only find perlite, is that OK?) does the plaster smell, or have any problems with the galvanized bucket?

[@TriangleStirling]

OK, watched again, perlite it is, is that the stuff you can get at a store for garden supplies?

[@TriangleStirling]

+Triangle_DIY sorry for asking so much, want to redo my furnace I built about a year ago. the mix stayed soft, cracks and its falling apart after about 8 melts. what is the crucible? you say 4 inch pipe with endcap, but for what is that used, where can I find it? is it a screwcap? if I know where it is used for I can see if I can get it in the Netherlands. how many melts can you do with it?

[@heathputnam9524]

+Triangle_DIY The galvanized bucket shows no signs of heat and has caused no problems. You can use either vermiculite or perlite to mix with the Plaster of Paris. The plaster does not smell at all. As for the mix. I tried several mixes while working on Rocket stoves and the mix I used for the foundry body is the best. Use the same mix for the cover also; I used a different on in the video but the foundry body mix is better. Give the mix ample time to cure before bringing up to full temp. Thanks for the comment!

[@heathputnam9524]

+Triangle_DIY The crucible is made of 4 inch diameter iron drain pipe. The end cap is threaded, here is a link to one similar to what I used... I bought mine from a local plumbing supply house. www.amazon.com/dp/B0058DHYQM/ref=biss_dp_t_asn

[@heathputnam9524]

+Triangle_DIY I have currently used the crucible and the foundry at least 20 times and they are both holding up well. I have converted to propane for the heat... I posted a video of it...

[@anthekousvns5703]

ผงแป้งสีขาว มันคืออะไร และ ที่เหันเปันเมัดอีกดัวย

[@heathputnam9524]

It is an aluminum melting furnace

[@ChristopherJones16]

aww we dont get to see the aluminum ingots when theyre finished

[@MeatSim9]

So, I'm having a bit of trouble. I used the same 6 gallon steel bucket you used, and so with a 10qt inner bucket, the amounts should be the same as you used in the video. But somehow that ended up giving me too much material, and I couldn't push the 10qt bucket in as far as yours got, or I would have been overflowing. It also hasn't cured yet, and is pretty soft. (Been three days) I'm not sure what I did wrong... 10qts plaster dry mixed with 5qt vermiculite, and then soaked in 10qts water, before mixing thoroughly. I did use vaseline instead of cleaner spray to lube the core bucket, which made for very easy removal. Would that have somehow affected the refractory mix?

[@heathputnam9524]

+MeatSim9 Light a small charcoal fire in the foundry... Do not use additional air just let it burn as a natural charcoal fire. That should dry it out. After it cools back down you should be ready to try it. It is probably humidity that is making it dry slowly or feel damp to the touch.Good luck!

[@MeatSim9]

Ah, that sounds plausible. Garage is pretty damp at the moment. I'll give that a shot. :)

[@heathputnam9524]

+MeatSim9 Let me know how it works out!

[@MeatSim9]

We cooked some hot dogs with the coal fire, but the lining was still very soft. Going to redo it, but I think less water, less vermiculite, and more plaster, maybe some sand.

[@boardbottlebuddy5676]

I just did the measurments using the exact same containers and the left over water after the displacement was not 15 qts. thats why you got over flow. its only 14 quarts. did it twice and got same results. so if you used 15 quart formula there is a quart too much after you push the bucket in.