What type of furnace do you use?

I’m looking for a used furnace for my my casting set up. What type
of furnace do you use, and why?

Linda

Hi Linda,

I'm looking for a used furnace for my my casting set up. What type
of furnace do you use, and why? 

I build my own furnaces, because I can tailor make them to the
capacity I need without wasting resources.

I use naturally aspirated propane to run my heating devices, so it’s
a waste of gas to use a large furnace to melt a couple of grams of
gold.

I use furnaces that take a bilge type crucible, because they’re more
efficient at melting than a hand torch in an open crucible.

Regards Charles A.

I'm looking for a used furnace for my casting set up. What type of
furnace do you use, and why? 

I use a gigantic 220v oven that is way too big for my purposes.
(Kerr 14X3) I use it because someone gave it to me for free.

(I want a smaller one! Anyone want to trade? Write me offlist.)

Hi, Charles,

Thank you for your thoughts on furnace type. My husband would love
to experiment with building our own furnace! But for now, I’ll stick
with “ready made” so I know it will work correctly, and not put the
rest of the studio - or our entire shed - in jeopardy. He is rather
handy, and did rebuild a second hand jeweler’s bench for me - did a
lovely job!

Linda

He is rather handy, and did rebuild a second hand jeweler's bench
for me - did a lovely job! 

Pictures? CIA

[Edit]

How can I share files and pictures with the list?
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ftp

Or… send the files to the attention of service@ganoksin.com and
we will upload them for you…

[/Edit]

Hi Linda,

A Neycraft oven would probably suit you very well. They are not
large, about an 18 to 20 inch cube in outside dimensions, 110 volt
electric so you don’t need to run gas lines or a 220 outlet, they
are very efficient, the outside remains cool except near the exhaust
outlet on the top and they can easily get to and maintain 1500
degrees F. They are also light enough that you should easily be able
to move it (when cool of course) by yourself.

A new Neycraft kiln costs about $900 from Rio Grande, so you should
be able to find one used for around half of that. If you can swing
it, I would highly recommend getting a Guardian controller with it,
also from Rio Grande. They used to make one that had the controller
built into the bottom part of the kiln cabinet, but I’m not sure they
still do. You can use the Neycraft without a controller, you just
have to manually step it up and down for your burnout cycle. Just
adds a small degree of difficulty but a much larger time commitment
when you burn out. You won’t be able to set it in the evening and
cast in the morning without a controller unless you sit up all night
and babysit.

Good luck!
Dave Phelps

You won't be able to set it in the evening and cast in the morning
without a controller unless you sit up all night and babysit. 

I do routinely set up my Neycraft kiln to burn out overnight, and
have had no problems with this routine. I usually hit my desired
temperature in the morning, but sometimes there is just a bit of a
delay as I reach that temp and heat sink it for a while. I do have
to manage my own cool-down time, but that is easy.

M’lou