Smelting pot?

[mpbarry1]

We had a burn to learn today and we pulled this out of the house. It is a water pressure tank. Would it work as a smelting pot?? Also, which end should i use? I'm wondering if the pipe on the top would work as a bottom pour pot.

[mpbarry1]

I guess what i want to know is if the metal is too thin on a water vessel. any experiance with these anyone?

[loader]

I would think it's too thin..... get a cast iron kettle.. it will last for a lifetime.

[sirgknight]

+1 on cast iron. very durable and stable.

[Longwood]

I guess what i want to know is if the metal is too thin on a water vessel. any experiance with these anyone?

Lead melts at a much lower temperature than steel. About 2000 degrees lower. Any lead in the pot will act as a heatsink.

[imashooter2]

It doesn't take much to make a smelting pot, but if the tank on that is as thin as the apron on top, I'd let that one go.

Bottom pour smelters are problematic. A valve that works is straight forward enough. Keeping the spill pipe hot enough that the lead doesn't solidify in it is not.

[dieguy59]

A used propane tank should be reasonably cheap and common. Good capacity, too.

[dieguy59]

Also, do a thread search for info on prepping an old propane tank. Better safe than sorry.