Metal Casting Zone

Hi everyone. New to the place. I've been reading here for several weeks. So much great information! I'm excited to become a member and looking forward to sharing my experiences with the community.

...So I've built my first furnace, and I am now working on a burner. I built one already that I thought would work, but it did not. It used compressed air that atomized the oil as it sucked it through a tube, but I guess it didn't atomize it enough.

My shop is very small, so I would like to utilize my compressor to avoid having a bulky burner/blower assembly lying about. I am also broke, so I need to use waste oil.

My question is: has anyone ever used an acetylene cutting torch nozzle to atomize the oil in the burner tube? I have a broken cutting torch lying around.

My plan (using just the torch head) is to force air through the small holes around the perimeter of the nozzle and force the oil through the center hole. I set it up crudely to test my theory that the air would pull the oil through the tube like a paint gun, but it didn't work. I have an old propane tank that I will just use as a pressurized fuel tank.

Think this will work?

The only problem I can think of would be keeping the nozzle from cloging up, but it could work.

sorry but your idea wont work! if you have a spare oxy torch convert it to run propane like i did. if you want to spray oil into your furnace its best done by pressurizing a tank containing the oil and valve and jet arrangement. you will need to preheat your furnace before adding the oil mix so a propane burner would be best and switch to oil after you have everything going.

If you can find a cheap used paint gun it would be nice. We use them at work to coat equipment. Havent tried it but bet it would break the oil up into very small drops. Just me thinking out loud again.

I have a pneumatic paint gun that I was looking at for reference and I am worried that one just wouldn't withstand the heat. It was the way they work that led me to consider the cutting nozzle. It can certainly take the heat, so that's not an issue. Mine has six .025 holes that converge to a spot about .25" from the nozzle's end. Through those, I will blow air. The center hole is .035, through which the oil will "jet". If my psi is high enough, and the oil flows just right, I think the air will atomize just right.

I think the trick is going to be getting the oil to combust within a burner tube like the babington. My plan is to preheat the furnace with a wood or charcoal fire, btw.

I've got all my parts and my goal is to have this thing built tonight, or at least test-able. I'll post picks whether it works or not.

Well good luck. I look forward to seeing how it works.

a spray paint gun isnt any good (retired painter here) if you know of the pump up garden sprayers this is the principal to use but with industrial gear.one of the best ive heard of is an old compressor tank filled with oil and pressurized. a hose is attached to a wand which has a tap to control the oil and a jet in the end to atomize the oil. a drip feed of oil with plenty of air is the most common method on a small scale . how did your experiment go.???

Oh my goodness...it works like a dream!!!

I hooked it up like I described and it roared like an angry lion. It looked just like a spray gun. I didn't set up a burner tube; I just stuck the nozzle into the tuyere, but it still worked. I also didn't fiddle too much with adjustments as I didn't want to draw too much attention to myself from the neighbors. The flames shot up pretty high and they're not used to seeing much more than welding flash coming from my studio. I don't feel like dealing with the fire marshal tonight.

I was so anxious to try it, I didn't do any brazing, so all the fittings are loose. As soon as I finish it, I'll post some pics. I'll be melting stuff by the end of the week! (I can only work at night)

thats terrific! pics please as i think you may be onto something here! have you pressurised your oil??? secondry thoughts are that you have basically built a atomizer for the oil. i know how it is to "train" your neighbours lol.