Drew's build, maybe...

[DrewInToledo]

Thank you Matt, I believe I understand your points...
I also believe that I'm going to take this little 15# tub back tomorrow and exchange for the 50# bag, it just seems like such a better deal.
I'm going to start scouting local free clay. I grew up near a ravine and I remember a location where a street storm drain spilled onto the side of the hill where we used to dig the clay with our hands and make goofy sculptures as kids would... My old stomping grounds is about 15 miles away and I think I'm going to take a drive this weekend.
I'm also close to acquiring a garbage can of free powdered ball diamond clay! That might happen this weekend! ...fingers are crossed.....
What do you think about using a scuba tank the inside lining for a heat riser? It's nearly 8" in diameter but not quite so tall. I figured that I could cut the top and bottom off the tank, add some firebrick to the top of the hot side of the burn tunnel to build height, and then place the shell on top of the firebrick.

[matt walker]

I think scuba tanks are aluminum? I am totally guessing there, but if it is, I wouldn't use it. It will actually melt into a puddle at the bottom of the core if it is. If it's steel, I'd say maybe. I think there are better choices. A little too small in the riser might really screw up the balance of the rest of it, although again, I'm guessing. If you have any buddies in construction, ask 'em if they are doing any remodels. You can usually get under the floor and grab HVAC ducting from tear downs.

BTW, when I give advice like this, please just take it as me offering an opinion. If I didn't do exactly what I read not to do with regards to so much of this stuff I never would have some of the cool burners I've made over the last couple years. So yeah, it might be awesome! I don't think so though. Lol.

[DrewInToledo]

Funny you mention.. I thought the same and hit the tank with a magnet.. It stuck on just like a ... Well... A magnet!

[DrewInToledo]

Happy November!

I'd like to share photos of my latest score..

4ft^3 sack of vermiculite - $14.00




Garbage can of clay - free!



When the times comes to cast the core, I'll be mixing the clay:vermiculite at a 1:1 ratio, and then adding the entire tub of refractory mortar. I'll also try to find some fiberglass to whip in.

Has anyone tried adding chicken wire as a sort of rebar to the casting?

[matt walker]

Looking good there Drew! That's a great price on the vermiculite, and that clay looks awesome.

Interesting about the scuba tank, I would have thought steel would be too heavy. I guess not, and it's not stainless. Weird.

As for the chicken wire, I believe it will expand and contract at such a different rate than the clay that it will only serve to create fissures, but again, guessing. It might be awesome. They do sell stainless steel needles as reinforcement for high heat refractory, which I would have made the same guess about, so don't take my word for it.

[DrewInToledo]

After doing a little scrubbing around the web, I found that chicken wire may not be a good choice not so much due to expansion/contraction (after all there isn't much mass to chicken wire), but rust, mineral buildup, etc, that may cause what Matt described hence, stainless materials available.

It's been busy day but I did manage to work on the core mold a little bit. I am going to try a method to twist rising gases for better mixing by routing curved channels into the mold... You can see it here and also that I am relaxing with 24oz of homebrew..




Oh.... I almost forgot about another score today!

[matt walker]

Nice Drew, way to stick to the cardinal rule of RMH construction.

Love the Rifled Riser! Cool.

Interesting on the chicken wire. I have experimented so much outdoors, I have a vague recollection of pulling chicken wire out of a crumbled mass of clay, but I honestly don't remember if I did that or not. Anyway, my terrible memory aside, good to get some confirmation.

[matt walker]

Oh, and I almost wish you didn't have to burn the paint off. That hot pink barrel is sweet!

[DrewInToledo]

[matt walker]

Would go well with my vintage OP collection and 80's visors.