This article written by K.L. Toby, was published in the Nov/Dec 1994 #112 issue of the Fouling Shot.
CBA member Jamie Waller casts more bullets than anyone I've met. To facilitate handling of the various alloys he uses, Jamie constructed a massive bottom pour pot to melt the metal into convenient size ingots. The pot is constructed from scrap cut-offs of 12" steel pipe used for natural gas pipe lines and other items, such as I" angle iron and galvanized pipe fittings, which can be purchased at a scrap yard or hardware store. It holds over 125 pounds of alloy and uses bottle gas for fuel It has several unique features that conserve fuel and make emptying the pot a simple matter.
CBA member Jamie Waller casts more bullets than anyone I've met. To facilitate handling of the various alloys he uses, Jamie constructed a massive bottom pour pot to melt the metal into convenient size ingots. The pot is constructed from scrap cut-offs of 12" steel pipe used for natural gas pipe lines and other items, such as I" angle iron and galvanized pipe fittings, which can be purchased at a scrap yard or hardware store. It holds over 125 pounds of alloy and uses bottle gas for fuel It has several unique features that conserve fuel and make emptying the pot a simple matter.
The pot pictured is made from two cut-offs welded together for a total length of 14". The bottom is a 12" disk of 3/8" boiler plate. The legs and cross pieces are l" angle iron fastened together, and to the pot, by welding. The bottom of the pot is recessed and welded in place at a slant, about l" from the bottom rim on one side and 1-1/2" on the other. The recessed bottom helps retain heat under the pot; the slant allows the pot to be emptied easily. The burner is constructed from a 2" pipe cap, a 2" x 4" nipple, a 1/8" x 2" brass disc, a 3/8" elbow and nipples. An 1/8" orifice hole is drilled in the center of the brass disk. Six 5/16" holes are drilled equidistant apart into the sides of the cap near its top. The cap is drilled and threaded to accept a short 3/8" nipple attached to the 3/8" elbow. The brass disc is sized to fit no deeper than the termination of the threads in the cap. It is inserted into the cap and locked in place by the 2" x 4" nipple.
The burner is held in position under the center of the pot by a length of 3/8" pipe fastened through one of the legs and welded in place. Standard bottle gas fitting are installed on the end of the pipe for connecting the bottled gas tank.
The release valve is a length of 3/8" ID pipe with a 3/8" rod insert polished for a smooth easy fit. Two 3/ I 6" holes are drilled about one inch from the end of the pipe. The pipe is slipped through a hole at the low end of the bottom of the pot. The holes in the pipe are positioned so that they are barely above the bottom interior of the pot and the pipe is welded in place. The rod insert is raised and lowered by a hinged arm made of I/ 4" x 1-1/8" cold rolled bars. The valve lifting arm consists of two pieces of steel bar which bracket the rod insert, and a piece of bar welded to the top of the pot. The arm is fastened to the bracket with a 1/4" stove bolt, using flat washers as spacers. The rod is inserted through a washer welded to the bottom of the arm, and locked loosely in place by a lock-nut. This allows it to be raised and lowered without binding in the pipe.
The bottom of the release valve extends only slightly below the bottom of the pot. A piece of angle iron is welded to the bottom of the pot directly under the valve to form a pouring spout. The angle iron is welded to the rim of the pot on the valve side and to the bottom of the pot on the high side. Mounting the spout across the bottom of the pot and above the burner keeps the spout sufficiently hot to keep the alloy flowing freely.
The description above is general, but it should be sufficient to enable anyone with access to the necessary materials to construct a similar pot. @
The release valve is a length of 3/8" ID pipe with a 3/8" rod insert polished for a smooth easy fit. Two 3/ I 6" holes are drilled about one inch from the end of the pipe. The pipe is slipped through a hole at the low end of the bottom of the pot. The holes in the pipe are positioned so that they are barely above the bottom interior of the pot and the pipe is welded in place. The rod insert is raised and lowered by a hinged arm made of I/ 4" x 1-1/8" cold rolled bars. The valve lifting arm consists of two pieces of steel bar which bracket the rod insert, and a piece of bar welded to the top of the pot. The arm is fastened to the bracket with a 1/4" stove bolt, using flat washers as spacers. The rod is inserted through a washer welded to the bottom of the arm, and locked loosely in place by a lock-nut. This allows it to be raised and lowered without binding in the pipe.
The bottom of the release valve extends only slightly below the bottom of the pot. A piece of angle iron is welded to the bottom of the pot directly under the valve to form a pouring spout. The angle iron is welded to the rim of the pot on the valve side and to the bottom of the pot on the high side. Mounting the spout across the bottom of the pot and above the burner keeps the spout sufficiently hot to keep the alloy flowing freely.
The description above is general, but it should be sufficient to enable anyone with access to the necessary materials to construct a similar pot. @