No power so fired up the new smelter

[Roundgunner]

The wind storm last night knocked out my power for most of the day so I fired up the new smelter again.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/DSC_0004_zps37c7af2c.jpg

It speeds things up, but best of all, it uses waste wood and pine so it’s free! No more propane for me. I did about 300 pounds today, about 3-4 hours and spent a lot of time doing other things like picking up the garage. The pot is a propane tank cut in half, the top half is the vented lid.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/DSC_0006_zpsb1a9ebad.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/DSC_0005_zpsd63e7bfe.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/DSC_0002_zpsb4f5eb8b.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/DSC_0001_zps52ac336b.jpg

[savingprivateyang]

Great idea, I may steal this idea from you. Does it ever get too hot to where the lead starts to boil?

[Roundgunner]

Not yet. I have had it get to cool and lumpy.

[David2011]

Roundgunner,

Nice smelter and you have a beautiful setting! Welcome to the group.

David

[7Acres]

Nice setup! Love the ingenuity.

[Nocturnal Stumblebutt]

Very nice, I have been tinkering with the idea of a wood fired smelting setup, but I don't have the space you do so mine would need to be a bit more compact.

[OuchHot!]

That is a great set-up! How much does a single pot full weigh? It looks like the drum top is holding up the weight just fine.

[seanhagerty]

Is the propane tank bottom welded into the barrel top? I am seeing this in my future.....

When you cut the propane tank, how did you do it? I can see removing the valve from an empty tank and filling it with water, draining it, then using a cut off wheel on it. Thats my thoughts on this.

[Roundgunner]

Is the propane tank bottom welded into the barrel top? I am seeing this in my future.....

When you cut the propane tank, how did you do it? I can see removing the valve from an empty tank and filling it with water, draining it, then using a cut off wheel on it. Thats my thoughts on this.

That is exactly how I cut the tank. I cut the drum lid small and used a grinder to make it fit tight. The tank is setting on top with a angle iron ring welded to it to keep it from falling thru.
I would guess it could hold about 100 pounds.

[TheGrimReaper]

I don't blame you, I'd done the same thing!!!

[jnovotny]

I cut a propane tank in half useing my sawsall! Took the valve out blew some air from the compressor in the hole and a metal cutting blade made short work of it. I do like this idea think I too will make one.

[seanhagerty]

Any chance we could get a pic or two of the top with the pot out? I want to see how you have it supported.

[Roundgunner]

I will get a photo but the only support is the small angle iron around the outside of the propane tank.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/DSC_0005_zpsd63e7bfe.jpg

[2HighSpeed]

Looks like you put a idea in my husbands head. He says he "has to have one". How long did this take you to make?

[Roundgunner]

About half a day