Metal Casting Zone

the trannys will work out well for casting, so will the pistons.
the lawn boy housing looks like a pretty easy part to cast for a first go.
as for the axle tubes you could just bond some pipe that has been split length wise to the lawn boy housing then cast it.

That's good news... I have a ton of both... Breaking them down shouldn't be an issue either.. Yeah i think that Lawn Boy gear box will be fairly simple to cast... I think i could just use some 3/4'' PVC pipe for the axle tubes.. they would be simple to split down the middle..


I have another question.. Does it matter which side of the furnace the burner is on? Reason being I've noticed there all placed on the right side of the furnace.. I would like to place mine on the left if possible. I'm building a cart for it all and the propane tank will be mounted directly behind the furnace.. A sheet metal shield will separate them.. But if could place the burner on the left side it would actually run from the back side of the cart... I'll post a few pics of the cart later... I only have the bottom constructed so far... Elcheapo cart... making it from a few old L-channel bed frames..

Well, due to the Coriolis spin imparted by the earth it depends on what hemisphere you are in. Check and see which way your toilet swirls to get an idea as to which way you should mount the burner. Don't want to be fighting the earths rotation, it'll decrease efficiency... Makes absolutely no difference what side the burner is on, it'll work both ways. I think it's a case of monkey see monkey do on most. It is on the right side on my small furnace and the left on my big one.
The only problem you may find on that lawnboy housing is that you may have a shrinkage issue. Most aluminum alloys are going to show some shrinkage, and the copy may wind up about 1 to 2% smaller than the original. I suppose you could put several coats of thick paint on it to beef it up, and you can get a percent or two maybe when you rap the pattern to pull it from the sand. The dimensions may be a bit off, but you were probably going to machine the bearing surfaces anyways. That looks like it was originally die cast.

LOL.. Our toilet swirls to the left,,, Now that i think about it i can actually mount it on the right side.. I'm going to have the top swing to the left as it's opened.. I now have the base of it built. and the wheels installed... Nothing fancy here.. The handle that I'm going to use is from the old lawn boy.. I'm not sure yet but i may need to make another handle for it, I know it's going to weigh around 100lbs or so and the mower handle may be to weak... We'll see!

Yeah i figured the casing would shrink 1 or 2%.. As for the machining goes.. yes i plan on machining the complete casting.. Both types of rear ends...


Here is a few shots of the oll,elcheapo furnace cart as it looks now... Hopefully I'll have it all built in a week or so... I may even take it to the shop and lay down wild colors / clear coat on it..

Front view!

elCheapo I like that. Do yourself a big favor, keep your propane tank at least 10' from your furnace when melting, its ok if you store it on the cart but keep it way back when melting. If something happens you want to be able to get away from the furnace and shut off the propane.

Thanks for the advice.. It's actually 12'' behind the furnace... I have nearly got the cart completed now.. Still need to build the swing arm for the lid and burner brace... Ohh and attach the sheet metal separating the furnace & Tank... I'll most likely pop rivet in...

Thanks for all your help guys... I appreciate it very much

Updated shots of the Furnace / Cart!!

Another view!

12" is just nor far enough for me, when you have a crucible failure or a thermite burn you would not be able to get near the tank to shut it off.

That's a little better, but I'm with Aone. This definately fits the "Better safe than rolling around in a massive fireball feeling sorry" category. It would be fine for storage, but I would also make it to be removable and able to be placed a few more feet away from the furnace.
I like the look of the beer keg furnaces, neat way to do it if you can get one. Have you checked out the Artful Bodger's site? He is using an oil-fired furnace, and has some pretty good ideas. I have his book (got it in a trade) and it's pretty straightforward. Lookin' good so far though.