Re-use is a common theme. And metal is one of the easiest things you can possibly re-use. But to re-use it you first need a metal melter to melt down the old metal before casting, forging, hammering, milling, or whatever process you’ll use to turn it into something new.

And that’s why I need a melting furnace. Fortuitously I happen to have a furnace that’s being scrapped. So I’ve decided to attempt to turn an old hydronic furnace into a new DIY metal melter.

The product could be one-offs cast from metal, billets for machining, or even some stock for the lathe. And I realize how cost-impractical that last one is. But still think it might be fun to attempt!

Now I’m entirely unsure if this undertaking will work. And aside from building a propane powered aluminum metal melter in a 5 gallon bucket one time I’ve got little experience creating metalworking equipment.

But I’m familiar with the safety concerns of a fired system. And I don’t believe there’ll be an issue with the equipment itself aside from suitability for purpose.

I intend to do a full series on building out the furnace over the next few months. Since we’ll be going into spring by the time the parts are acquired and everything’s cleaned up the timing should work.