question for you smart smelters

[maddog2020]

back to the casting shop

[Charlie Sometimes]

Spigots would have rubber or nylon gaskets/bushings to seal from cold water, not hot lead. Gate valve would/might work.

There are a few threads with pictures of homemade smelters/pots that have that feature built in. Some have had issues- freeze up from not being maintained at hot enough temps to flow from spout, etc. Search for them and see what tickles your fancy. IMHO, the best ones have the valve built like the peg in the hole method.

[DLCTEX]

Some brass gas valves are friction fit and do not have rubber/nylon in them and would work for the spigot. The valve would have to be kept hot to keep it from freezing.

[maddog2020]

I was wanting to use it on the smelting pot, let it drain from the bottom and fill ingot molds, so it would constant heat. I was thinking a brass cut off valve

[pls1911]

Gauranteeeeed more trouble than it's worth.

[maddog2020]

well thats about par for most of my ideas :)

[KYCaster]

For several years I used a pot with a gate valve on the spout...worked fine for me.(be sure to close it while it's still hot [smilie=1:)

Mine was a "rising stem" style...not sure if the more common non-rising stem with the threads inside would work as well...never tried it.

I tried the plug valve like DLCTEX mentioned and it didn't work nearly as well as the gate valve.

Good luck.

Jerry

ETA...Moisture can accumulate in the valve and spout, so if they are outside the flame from your heat source make sure you heat them thoroughly before you open the valve.

[maddog2020]

hey thanks jerry, guess its a home depot run tomorrow

[crazy mark]

How thick is the pot wall. You may be able to drill and tap as pipe threads are tapered and that would seal.

[maddog2020]

its a good 3/8" thick

[jmsj]

maddog2020,
Do a search for "HotGuns 8"pot", he had some great ideas for making a bottom pour pot. I copied his design but built a tall stand/burner and a foot pedal control so I don't have to be bent over when smelting. Like HotGuns said regarding his valve design, it does not leak when full of water. By following his directions mine will hold water and not leak either. The valve works really slick. jmsj

[DukeInFlorida]

It's an old thread, and the pictures that originally accompanied the post are gone. But the wording in the thread gives a great dialog as to what was done.

Here's the thread:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?p=771079

[maddog2020]

its a 41 mold so I am keeping it

[500cadillac]

maddog2020,
Do a search for "HotGuns 8"pot", he had some great ideas for making a bottom pour pot. I copied his design but built a tall stand/burner and a foot pedal control so I don't have to be bent over when smelting. Like HotGuns said regarding his valve design, it does not leak when full of water. By following his directions mine will hold water and not leak either. The valve works really slick. jmsj

Pictures don't work in that thread.

[jmsj]

500cadillac,
I built the pot last year from that thread. I didn't realize the pictures were gone until DukeInMaine stated that they were gone in post #12. I do apologize, jmsj

[Rock]

Do you have pics that you can share jmsj?

[jmsj]

Rock,
HotGuns, Muddy Creek Sam, Bkid and someone else have asked me to post pictures of my version of HotGuns' bottom pour smelter. I am technology challenged, a friend is going to teach me how to do this but he has been busy/out of town. I will try to get this done as soon as possible.
Sorry to all that this has taken me so long

[Bkid]

Rock,
HotGuns, Muddy Creek Sam, Bkid and someone else have asked me to post pictures of my version of HotGuns' bottom pour smelter. I am technology challenged, a friend is going to teach me how to do this but he has been busy/out of town. I will try to get this done as soon as possible.
Sorry to all that this has taken me so long

Man I am going to have to drive up there and show you how to do the pic thing.LOL. Next Trip to Taos for sure. Should be in June , not to far away.

[jmsj]

Bkid,
I finally got some pictures posted. But you are welcome to drop by anytime you are in the area. jmsj