Propane Gas Furnace (Jan 2021)

I had this desire to do some forging an casting so decided why not combine both into a horizonal and vertical furnace which can be used for both.

This furnace is lined with ceramic fibre insualtion and 1700 degrees Celcius castable refractory. It's like a rocket engine when fired up full throttle.

I was going to make the burners as well but decided to buy a pair of 180,000 BTU burners from eBay just to save time.

There is a hole in the lid and bottom so when used as a horizontal forge material can be passed through for heating longer lengths.

When used a furnace the bottom hole is covered with a plug made from castable refracatory.

Burner tubes welded in place. Offset to create a swirling flame.

Cutting out stiffening rings to weld on the top and bottom holes.

stiffening ring welded in place. Screws welding in top of lid to hold ceramic insulation and fire cement in place.

Body lined with ceramic insulation. Gas bottle wrapped in cling film and grease proof paper place in center and cardboard tubes fitted through burner tubes and cut to fit profile of gas bottle.

Body and lid filled with Castable Refractory. Desert bowl placed in lid to form relief to opening. Removing the gas bottle took some persuasion but lukily I already thought to put a hole in the bottom of the furnace which helped with access and hammering it out.