Build your own furnace from a kit!

The HobbyMelter™ furnace kit

No welding, metal cutting nor drilling, no fancy tools needed!

Thinking of building a furnace? Build it the easy way with a do-it-yourself kit! No exotic tools or welding is required! The kit includes a sheetmetal furnace shell, welded steel fame, aluminum alloy wheels, the necessary bracketry and hardware components (bolts, pins, etc.), complete instructions and even checklists to ensure success!

With the kit you can cast metal for your lathe projects, model engines (design your own or build vintage models from old patents!), crafts, etc!

The HobbyMelter™ can melt all of the following metals; Brass, bronze, aluminum, lead, copper, silver, tin, potmetal, pewter, even gold!!


This is the furnace building kit. You finish assembly and install the refractory. Instructions are included.	This furnace was built from the kit. Pushing a lever raises and supports the lid safely and easily.

Furnace features

Welded steel cart with wheels for portability, built-in burner mount and lever actuated lid holder.
The burner uses a propane barbecue grill type fuel tank (but a larger tank can be used).
Easily melts aluminum, brass, bronze and several other common metals (not iron or steel).
Compact design, it can easily be moved and stored out of the way.

Complete instructions are included for you to assemble the parts (most of it is already assembled), install the refractory and paint the furnace. A purchased refractory can be used or you can make your own from the formula provided in the instructions. The finished furnace easily melts aluminum, brass, bronze and other common metals (not iron or steel).

$Installing the refractory.$
You install the refractory lining (a clay based heat resistant material) in the shell and do light assembly work on the frame with hand tools. Refractory is not included.	A burner mount is welded to each frame to securely hold the propane burner in place.

Question: How much metal can I melt with this?
Answer: Using aluminum as an example you can melt 10 pounds or more in a typical crucible (melting pot) made from 4" or 5" diameter welded steel pipe. Instructions for making crucibles is included as well as sources to buy them.

Question: What are the dimensions of the HobbyMelter™ furnace?
Answer: When the furnace kit is completed according to the instructions in the instruction manual the furnace will be 16-1/2" tall (not including the cart assembly) and 13" diameter. The dimensions of the inner chamber are 8" in diameter and 11" tall.

Question: Do I need this kit to build a furnace?
Answer: Of course not, but if you're planning to build a furnace then you're helping yourself by building one with the conveniences that this kit offers. And you'll save time and get to casting sooner with this kit.

Question: What are some suitable scrap metal sources?
Answer: Available aluminum includes; lawn chair tubing, alloy car wheels, pistons and other aluminum parts, rain gutters, house siding, old ladders, disposable pie pans and foil etc.. Brass and bronze include, old plumbing fittings, pipe and tubing, spent bullet shell casings, etc. Basically any scrap metal will do.

Question:Do you recommend homemade or purchased refractory?
Answer: The homemade version is not as good as the manufactured stuff so I recomend that you buy the refractory. The furnace requires 1598 cubic inches of refractory to complete it. The brand that I have good experience with is called Kast-o-lite 26Li That is rated to 2,600 degrees F. and is good for melting aluminum and occasionally brass or bronze. Two 55 pound bags are needed to fill the furnace and you'll have a little left over. If you intend to melt brass often then go with a refractory rated to 3,000 degrees F. This refractory is more dense so three bags are needed to fill the furnace. You can find a local distribution location at the manufacturer's website.


Pouring molten aluminum from a homemade steel crucible (melting pot). Crucible making instructions are included.	A model stirling engine flywheel freshly cast from aluminum. This was an easy homemade mold.

No fancy tools are needed. A jigsaw is convenient for making the inner form used to install the refractory (instructions are included), but other than that only common hand tools are needed (pliers, small wrenches, etc.). After completing the kit you'll have a furnace designed specially for fun backyard metalcasting!

Don't throw away that scrap metal!! Once in the metalcasting "mindset" you'll notice loads of scrap metal ripe for recyling!

To finish the kit you must;

Do light assembly work (tighten some bolts, slide handle onto mount, etc.)
Install refractory in the furnace (purchase refractory separately or make your own).
Obtain a propane barbecue grill type fuel tank, hose and regulator to fire the furnace.
Paint it.

For more detailed information on obtaining or making refractory and a source for the propane regulator check out the following information page;

http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com/hmkithelp.html.


The burner's flame heats the furnace interior which melts the metal in the crucible (melting pot).	The burner is included. The flared tip in the photo is only for show and not needed for furnace use, therefore not included.

Also included with the kit!

Propane burner (you must provide the propane tank, hose and regulator).
An instructional manual entitled; "How-to cast metal in sand" explaining how to mix the mold making sand, making molding boxes (flasks), pattern making, the mold making process, scrap metal identification and melting, pouring the metal, dealing with casting flaws and more.
The foundry unit user's manual.
Detailed illustrated instructions
Checklists to use during and after the build to ensure you've completed all the steps!

Put your scrap metal to use making some castings. It's easy to learn and a tremendously valuable skill. Build a furnace and save time with a build-it-yourself kit!

Furnace building kit; $184.99 total
(shipping/handling to the 48 continental states is already in the price).
Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and International buyers see note below for special instructions
Any other questions before ordering? e-mail me!

U.S.A. Orders
$184.99 total

Order online!
Confirmed address only, see note below.

Order by MAIL

Confirmed addresses only! To protect against fraud and card theft Paypal orders are ONLY accepted when made with the Confirmed shipping address. This is the address registered with your credit/debit card. Orders must be made with this address and items will only be shipped to this address. Orders made with unconfirmed addresses will be cancelled and refunded. NO PO boxes. UPS will only ship to a physical street address.

Alaska, Hawaii and... Shipments to areas outside of the continental united states such as Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and international shipments can be expensive. E-mail me before placing an order to get a shipping quote.

Europe and Australia buyers Unfortunetly shipping the kits to Europe and Australia is not economical. The cheapest way I can ship the kits internationally is by United States Postal Service express mail. They told me that the size of the package is too large for any of their services except express mail. It doesn't make sense to me but that's what I was told. They won't even ship it by "slow boat." I guess they don't want to ship large packages internationally unless they'll make some real money off the deal. The shipping cost to Europe is $119.00 and to Australia is $149.00 but the good thing is that it'll only take about a week to get there. Neither UPS, FEDEX nor any of the other parcel services have an economy service and they cost much more. Feel free to e-mail further questions.

This item is not for sale to minors. Melting metal involves danger from extreme heat. This furnace requires high temperatures to operate which could result in injury, loss of life or property damage. Burns and unwanted fires may result especially from careless usage. Safety precautions should ALWAYS be followed. You are responsible for using this item safely and keeping the items in safe working order. Use of this item is at your own risk. Neither the manufacturer, the seller nor anyone affiliated with the manufacturer or the seller is responsible for any damage or injuries, no matter how minor or major that may result from the proper or improper use of this foundry equipment and related items. By purchasing this foundry equipment the buyer agrees to the above terms and to be solely responsible for his or her usage and the usage of anyone who uses this unit with or without the buyer's consent. If you do not agree to these terms DO NOT buy this item. Propane gas can accumulate and ignite explosively when used incorrectly. Propane fumes can cause suffocation from inhaling them. If you have any questions about properly using or storing propane or other fuel gasses contact your nearest gas distributor. Safety should ALWAYS come first!

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