Easy Dual Fuel Furnace Burner

Want to melt metal?
Yes?

Want to melt metal for free with recycled oil?
Hell yeah!!

Here's an easy-to-make burner that can use either propane or oil (veggie or motor). It will heat a furnace up to aluminum melting temperatures with no problem.

Step 1 The Burner

Safety talk- Yes, we're playing with fire here. Use your head. OK?


Parts for the burner:

A blower- I got mine from a surplus place. The more air it moves the more fire you can produce. Anything around this size will work. Mine's rated at 100 cfm (cubic feet per minute)

1 1/4" dia. steel pipe 18"-24" ish long. The dimensions aren't crucial. I wouldn't go with a smaller dia. though.

30" of 1/4" dia copper pipe

Hose clamp (optional)

1 male propane quick release fitting. Get this from a propane supply. Don't just use an air hose quick release.

Other stuff that you'll need:

Propane tank w/ an adjustable regulator & hose w/ female propane quick release

5 gallon bucket

Plastic valve w/ 3/8"" fittings

Clear poly tubing 3/8"

Teflon pipe tape

Tools:

Drill & bits

Tap for the propane fitting

Torch & brazing rod. Doesn't have to be big, even a jewelers torch will work.

Metal cutting saw

Assorted hand tools

Comments

[bbags]

It’s a good post!And thanks sharing
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[neon238]

why you aren't wearing any PPEs?... molten metal is so dangerous bro...

[spike3579]

You're right. I should be.

[Dave8{)]

You suggested using "regular" white Teflon tape. There is special yellow Teflon tape used for gas connections. It is thicker and seals better as well as being required by code for many gas connections.

Will white tape work properly? Of course, and it probably will never be an issue, BUT, if there is an insurance claim, using the white tape may result in the insurance company denying the claim. Better safe than sorry for $2.76 (see http://www.lowes.com/pd_23501-138-31403D_0__?catalogId=10051&productId=3505224&UserSearch=teflon+tape+gas+yellow&Ntt=teflon+tape+gas+yellow&N=0&langId=-1&storeId=10151&rpp=24 for where I got that price.)

[cryophile]

Metal five gallon buckets have been difficult for me to find. Where did you get yours?

[spike3579]

I got mine from a salvage place. You could try car mechanics. They get grease and what not in small barrels.
Junk yards....
You could also use a square shape for the shell just cast the inside cylindrical.

[chazr]

Great job Spike.
I have been wanting to build one of these for a long time, but I am stumped on the refractory part. I am wondering where you will post this part? Will it be here in this post or a seperate one?
Thanks and regards.

[spike3579]

Thanks!
I'm going to do the rest of the furnace in a separate post. Hopefully in the next week or so. Stay tuned!

[soundmotor]

Favorite Worthy!

[Ortzinator]

I think burning motor oil may be illegal in California.

[worker ant]

Who cares, everything is illegal in California; just work in a well ventilated area. They donot have used motor oil police

[bajablue]

LOL!!!

[spike3579]

Probably
You can always use used cooking oil.
Just have to beat out the biodiesel folks for it.

[robbtoberfest]

lol, "fight the furnace" Just picture it :)

[spike3579]

Yeah, fight fire with fire ;)

[jack8559]

What do you use as a crucible to melt the aluminum in? I know it needs to be something that won't melt, or you would have a mess inside the furnace - cast iron? steel? or is it a special metal crucible like titanium since it takes an extreme heat to melt?

[spike3579]

I use 4" steel pipe.
Check out my response to anode505 for details.

[anode505]

The crucible, what are you using? I've been pondering building a furnace for a while, but the Crucible is whats holding me back (Mainly for aluminum)

[spike3579]

Aluminum melts at about 1200 degrees F

Bronze @1560ish

Steel doesn't melt till 2600 so steel it is.  

I use a section of 4" steel pipe w/ 1/4" plate welded to the bottom.

My crucible cost a couple dollars and lasted 20 melts before it was too oxidized and flaky to keep using.  

You can buy commercial graphite crucibles but they need to be pre-heated and cost more $.  I think about $100 for one that fits my furnace.  

I like steel ones.  Even though they break down the price is right and the surface tension of the aluminum seems to keep any steel flakes out.

You can also cut the top off a used propane torch tank (be careful) for a quick crucible.  It will wear out faster because the metal is thinner but it's quick and easy.  

You can also cast crucibles with high temperature refractory cement (not the same as portland!!) although I've never tried it.

[tacamaral]

In Brazil, we can say "profissa" when something is so very good it looks professional. For you, man, "profissa". : )

Loved the 'ible. Will do it as soon as I move into a house (hate apartaments).

[spike3579]

Thanks! I appreciate that.
Yes, get a house w/ a little space for projects.
in the meantime here's some inspiriration.

[sconner1]

Good use of waste oil and nice way to make a burner.
I was hoping to also learn to build the whole furnace though and how/where to source parts like the cylindrical ceramic insulation.
How about fireplace brick, or even red bricks?
What's the crucible made from?

[spike3579]

I'll get on posting the rest of the furnace next & talk about refractory materials. You don't want to use red bricks. They'll just break down.

[karst45]

It also interresting to add a "flame arrestor" to prevent flashback. I know most propane tank are equiped with such safety but if you put on anoter regulator the "flame arrestor" would also protect this part.

[sspence]

How about a step on casting the cement in the metal pail to make the furnace, or is that documented elsewhere?

[spike3579]

It needs to be its own post but it is on my to do list....

[sspence]

Cool, can't wait!

[mikeasaurus]

Cool furnace and I like the addition of the choke. I would think having a choke is mandatory with something like this, not optional?
Also, what kind of temperatures have you got with the oil-only fuel, and what metal are you melting?

(Combustion is a type of exothermic reaction and would totally qualify for the Chemical reactions Challenge!)

[spike3579]

I usually use the damper on the outside of the fan if I need to lower the flame.  I generally run it full speed.

more air = more fire = more fun

I've been melting aluminum car wheels but I've seen similar burners melting brass and I think you could do cast iron too. 

There's plenty of energy stored in the oil, more than propane, you just have to get enough air mixed with it.  

Thanks for the heads up. I'm off to enter the chemical reactions contest...

[Chicken Girl]

You should add a pic. of what you made of the melted aluminium....I'm just sayin'!

[spike3579]

Gotcha & done! added step 7