Some weeks back I discussed the Hoover & Strong melting furnace that can melt 20-50+ ounces of sterling or gold in about 4-8 minutes. It was produced by Hoover and Strong back in the 70's but apparently is no longer available.
Someone asked for photos and I think there is a lot to be garnished by the great design of this thing so here is a slew of photos of the burner unit, the furnace, the base, the top, a crucible loaded and ready to be fired (you can see how a vortex of flame (would) surround the crucible) along with two other subjects: a two part blowtorch melting crucible that is good for an ounce or four, and a home-made graphite ingot mold that I used to use to create 1" x 1/8~" x 3" karat gold ingots which I'd break down in a mill to sheet. You can see how the two pins hold it together (one corner is broken but it still works) and how it pulls apart releasing the ingot. It is best to heat the graphite mold in an oven to 350 or 400 degrees. It can be a difficult pour as it is so thin that occasionally bubbles or voids would form in the middle of the ingot, 3/16 would be better, or filed relief slots would work.
Enjoy the photos.
Note: I have another 15-20 photos showing all elements of the furnace, with ruler for scale, burner, etc. But I am limited to 5 attachments. Do I need permission to post another three sets? Anyone interested in the rest? Please advise.
Since I have uploaded the gold chloride ampule just awhile ago I must assume that I am not allowed to post attachments here. If a moderator want's to see the entire lot of images, please pm me and I'll email them for approval.
Someone asked for photos and I think there is a lot to be garnished by the great design of this thing so here is a slew of photos of the burner unit, the furnace, the base, the top, a crucible loaded and ready to be fired (you can see how a vortex of flame (would) surround the crucible) along with two other subjects: a two part blowtorch melting crucible that is good for an ounce or four, and a home-made graphite ingot mold that I used to use to create 1" x 1/8~" x 3" karat gold ingots which I'd break down in a mill to sheet. You can see how the two pins hold it together (one corner is broken but it still works) and how it pulls apart releasing the ingot. It is best to heat the graphite mold in an oven to 350 or 400 degrees. It can be a difficult pour as it is so thin that occasionally bubbles or voids would form in the middle of the ingot, 3/16 would be better, or filed relief slots would work.
Enjoy the photos.
Note: I have another 15-20 photos showing all elements of the furnace, with ruler for scale, burner, etc. But I am limited to 5 attachments. Do I need permission to post another three sets? Anyone interested in the rest? Please advise.
Since I have uploaded the gold chloride ampule just awhile ago I must assume that I am not allowed to post attachments here. If a moderator want's to see the entire lot of images, please pm me and I'll email them for approval.
