07-21-2013, 11:15 AM
Tom, yes I''ve melted cast iron before with both propane and waste oil, its not really hard just takes a decent burner and a furnace made out of some of the newer light weight insulating refactories. Most people that are into casting that can melt brass/bronze alloys can probably melt cast iron.
your right about the coke thou about the smallest amount you can buy is a tote which will run around a ton. then you have to work your but off to get it down to a size that you cupola can handle cause if its too small or too large it won't burn like it should. Only reason I see for a cupola is if your going to do a lot of casting. Heck with my casting I can ram the mold up and have it poured before most people with a cupola can even get it hot enough to start building the stack in it to melt with.
your right about the coke thou about the smallest amount you can buy is a tote which will run around a ton. then you have to work your but off to get it down to a size that you cupola can handle cause if its too small or too large it won't burn like it should. Only reason I see for a cupola is if your going to do a lot of casting. Heck with my casting I can ram the mold up and have it poured before most people with a cupola can even get it hot enough to start building the stack in it to melt with.
dallen, proud to be a member of MetalworkingFun Forum since Apr 2012.
If life seems normal, your not going fast enough!
If life seems normal, your not going fast enough!