Foundry

I'd like to make a small foundry at some point. It seems like it would be useful to be able to melt aluminum and glass.

Aluminum is easier, it melts at 660C. Glass is much harder, 1400-1600C. This should be possible with propane, it burns at 1995C.

Graphite crucibles are fairly cheap, they should work for this. Steel crucibles also work for aluminum.

Basic supplies to do anything useful

• Foundry
• Crucible
• Crucible Tongs
• ingot molds

Sand

• Green Sand

Plaster

• Plaster
• Vacuum chamber

Foundry

Gas

• Pro
  • simple
  • fairly cheap
• Con
  • Need to refill gas

Electric Resistance

• Pro
  • Mildly complex
  • fairly cheap

Walls

• Refractory cement
• Soft fire brick

I think refractory cement is the way to go. I could make a plastic or was spiral to leave an indent for an electrical wire. It's easy to find cement that's rated to 1200C/2200f, but 1600c/3000f is not uncommon.

I like the idea (from vegoilguy) to add layer of plaster to insulate the more expensive plaster.