Metal Casting with an Electric Furnace

Metal Casting with an Electric Furnace

I have been using the above ToAuto 6kg furnace for a while now and can recommend

it for home casting.

The 5kg refers to the weight of gold it can melt. The extra capacity over the more common 3kg furnaces is a big advantage, 

The brimfull ( not recommended) volume is nearly 400 cubic centimetres (0.7 pints).

With an electric furnace there is no escaped heat as you would get the  with a gas or oil one so it is more comfortable to use, in fact compared with those it is very uneventfull.

I have a video showing the first use :

Tips for use.

My first advice is to make the simple tong modification shown in my video.

This will lock the crucible to the tongs so you are not relying on squeezing the handles together. Safety is very important. 5kg of moulten metal on the end of what is basicaly a pair of pliars is asking for an accident.

A full face mask should be worn and the included gauntlet style gloves.

The temperature sensor in all electric furnaces is within the furnace and so the actual metal temperature will not be the same as the display is showing.

I prefer to set the adustable temperature control to maximum and check the metal temperature with a pyrometer like this one: Digital thermometer

The melt time will also be quicker as using the temperature control will cycle the element on and off when the set temperature is nearly reached.

Do not drop metal stock into the crucible when it's empty as this could break the bottom of the graphite crucible. I tip the empty crucible  and slide the initial charge into it. When there is a pool of metal at the bottom further metal can be carefuly added with tongs.

The second melt will be much quicker than the first as the furnace is already hot.

 

You can buy the furnace here  Use code Myfordboy for a 5% discount.

Delivery was very quick.