Metal Casting Zone

Another new guy here. Quick info, I'm from Indiana, 53 years young (& getting younger by the minute). My only casting experience has been in casting my own lead bullets for blackpowder handguns & rifles. But now I want to get serious & build a foundry. I've got a brand new 55 gal. drum that I'd like to make it from, & a squirrel cage from a gas furnace. All I need now is some info on what to do next & how. I've been reading & studying on the internet like a madman for the past couple of weeks & have learned just enough to be utterly confused. Any one who would be so kind as to throw me a line & stop me from drowning I would be most appreciative. Thanks.

Hello and welcome,
I've been in the same place as you but I didn't have the resources found on this site when attempting my foundry build. Instead of a lengthy response here check out my web site, think it will give you some chuckles and maybe a few ideas.
Good luck.
www. blindpigetc.com

Welcome to the forum!
I'm over the hill, and picking up speed.

I started out on a small scale. This is a small freon tank, I think it's 9" diameter. It has a fireclay/foam mix for insulation and commercial hotface. I've melted cast in it using a graphite crucible and up to about 6# Aluminum in a clay crucible. I've built a larger furnace but haven't needed to pour anything that large yet.
A 55 gal drum is pretty big to start out. Most use a 20# propane tank or similar to start. Remove the valve and fill with water before you cut it, to be safe.