How not to build a Foundry Iron-Melting Burner

[GreenTwin]

I read recently of someone having problems melting iron, and they describe their oil burner as the type that impinges flame on the burner tube and/or the fuel tube, to preheat the fuel.
There is sort of a cult following for this burner style, but the reality is that it is one of the worst designs you can build.
People try to build better mouse traps, but end up with designs that don't work well at all.

This is a really bad way to make an iron-melting burner, is totally unnecessary, and causes all sorts of burner tube degredation.

The best way to melt gray iron is to use a siphon or pressure nozzle style burner, or a correctly designed drip-style burner.
No flame impingement is required for either of these burners.
The siphon nozzle burner is the burner of choice for me, and performs very consistently.

.

 

[SmithDoor]

I ran across using charcoal for melting cast iron .
Not Kingsford
It charcoal used in restaurants sometimes call Lump charcoal. I have use for BBQ and is is very hot charcoal comes 50 pound bags

Dave

 

[Fidlstyks]

Using charcoal is how steel is made from magnetic ore in sand. I am a member of a FB group, Iron Smelters of the World that do this, which is making and firing of a Bloomery. mostly Nordic type ventures, but done every where. I even have seen a video of it in Japan, where the Samaris made their swords from this steel.

 

[SmithDoor]

Using charcoal is how steel is made from magnetic ore in sand. I am a member of a FB group, Iron Smelters of the World that do this, which is making and firing of a Bloomery. mostly Nordic type ventures, but done every where. I even have seen a video of it in Japan, where the Samaris made their swords from this steel.

They used charcoal around 1600’s because it cost to must to ship coal from England. I read a few magazines did talk about charcoal for cast iron.
The best is coke if available
In California is harder and shipping

Dave

 

[abby]

You should research the history of iron founding , and in particular the life of Abraham Darby. The amount of charcoal required to produce a ton of iron decimated the forests of England and Wales.
The impurities in coal , particularly sulphur , meant that it could not be used as a smelting fuel until Abraham Darby discovered how to use coke in his blast furnace.
This is recognised as one of the factors that started the industrial revolution , or as some might say the beginning of the end.
If you are ever in the UK try to visit the Iron Bridge Gorge where the remains of the original blast furnaces can be seen.
Incidentally my first forays into metal melting some 60 years ago used coke as a fuel , it was readily available as almost every town had a gas works.
A 10 foot stove pipe provided all the draught required to melt brass or bronze with a pleasant quiet of operation that was almost therapeutic.
You would be hard pressed to buy coke in the UK now.
Dan.