Metal Casting Zone

We have built a chastin type coupla furnace.

we were told if we use coke we needed to hot blast ---in other words heat up the incoming air to get it hot enough to melt IRON ORE

something about keeping the reduction proper at the melt zone

Has any one out there used the chastin type coupla to melt iron ORE - would love to hear from you.
Coke or charcoal????
has any one rigged the hot blast for a coupla


we really want to use iron ORE
Thanks for you'r in put
Amy

I've got a copy of Marshall machine works book. That's as far as I've gotten. Coke sounds like the fuel of choice and I think it would be even more needed for Iron Ore. I tried to see where to get some and haven't had any luck.
I remember seeing a site where some guys were making Iron blooms from ore. I'll see if I can find it.

Search: Marshall Machine Works
For some reason the link won't work.

wow! iron ore!!! is this a backyard project or a small scale commercial consideration???

Thanks for all the input.
I googled "iron bloom" and got a wealth of information.

we are in central Pennsylvania
iron ore rich history, furnace remnants every where, and MANY towns named after furnaces.
there is a bicentennial at an "iron town" Gatesburgh pa on the 7-9 of August 2009 where we plan to pour iron, make charcoal and the like
Hopefully cast some tiny frying pans and belt buckles
Time is short
any ideas welcome!

Just trying to puzzle out the air supply and the best fuel for the cupola! Test fire this weekend .
Thanks again
Amy

Id be interestd in attending this Iron pour, Im right down here in Delaware.
You will have to post some pictures of what you are doing we would all love to see.

sounds like a terrific event. its a bit far for me but i would love to go. plenty of pics are needed.

That does sound interesting, I'm actually off on the 8th. I looked, it's a little too far for a day trip. Is this an anual event? I'll plan for it next year.
If they are going to make charcoal then that would be my choice of fuel. It would smell better than coke too.

This site is very interesting. History of Penn steel in pictures
www.coalcampusa.com/rustbelt/pa/pa.htm

This site is for Ohio's rust belt. My company, Nucor Steel is close to the bottom of page 1.
www.coalcampusa.com/rustbelt/oh/oh.htm

They also have a large section on Penn and Ohio coal mining.

I will try to get some photos up of the coupla furnace
Local farmers are organizing this bi centennial event so I do not know if it will be annual.
I am leaning toward charcoal.
Too hot and you burn up the iron I've read

The air flow has to be balanced. Enough to keep the fire hot and melt the iron but not so much that you turn all the iron into iron oxide.

so how about this bicentennial iron pour, is it going to happen? Theres a couple of members here who would like to attend....