Finally got around to cutting open a freon bottle that was given to me. It was the same size as a normal propane bottle but heavier. The bottle had a 400 PSI hydrotest sticker on it and once cut the wall measured 3/16". If you can get your hands on one of these I bet it will last a while.
Last edited by 1_Ogre; 12-24-2015 at 07:04 AM.
I think you may have what's known as a recovery tank. Was it yellow and gray? Regular refrigerant tanks are much thinner, as they are intended for one time use only and therefore disposable. The recovery tanks can be used over and over again, and have to be tested every 5 years. (at least, I think that is the time interval)
He says recovery, albeit misspelled, in the thread title. If the tank is only rated to 400 psi that's why it was taken out of service. It can't handle R410A. I don't know anyone that knows how often they are supposed to be tested.
The recovery bottles are turned in for an exchange at some point. Especially w/ R410A. Transferring it over to a 500# bottle just means you will have one large bill at once instead of a lot of small ones over time.
And yes, they are thicker steel.
Next time I start a thread I will put my glasses on when typing. This tank was stamped 2013. Next I am going to roll a ring out of thin barstock to go around the top piece to make a lid. I cut the middle out to put on the bottom to help hold in the heat and make a wider base for more support.
I would have expected it be a lot older. It should be able to handle R410A. Did someone give you a good tank? Just wondering because they aren't the cheapest things.
Im not exactly sure if the sticker on the tank came on it or someone stuck it there at some point. It was given to me by someone I work with that does a/c work both commercial and residential. He said it was easier for him to get a new tank than have the old one tested. Originally he gave me 2 30lb propane tanks with the old style POL valves and once he found out that I wanted to make a lead pot he pulled out the out of date recovery bottle and threw it in too.
450lbs of fresh ingots on the maiden voyage of the pot. I think its a keeper. It holds 150lbs just fine.
Last edited by typz2slo; 12-23-2015 at 07:57 PM.
Nice looking set-up and a good days work!
I think I better clean my glasses when I read the subject line. Totally missed the "reco ery" part. lol
I should of had my glasses when I wrote it. If I could change it I would.Originally Posted by CastingFool
I make em' all the time. $45 shipped.
Attachment 158872
Last edited by ncbearman; 01-23-2016 at 04:36 PM.
Those ingots look great, what did you use as a mold?
Mine are a mix of lee ingot mold and two different size cookie tin ones. They are stored in large buckets, but there is so much wasted space.
I had 800kg worth stored in bars that i used corrugated roofing iron as a mold. Worked well, took no space to store and stacked nice. The issue was each one weighed 5+kg, too much to put in the pot at once.
Nice job on the melting pot. I used a cylinder about the same diameter welded to a cut off 44 gallon drum so i could use timber as fuel to melt it, worked great. No good for people in a suburban area though.....
Did you find putting the lid on the pot helped keep the heat in?
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