A Little Different Pouring Shank...Pics.

[Jammer]

I actually made this last year, I just haven't got to use it yet. Been melting small amounts right now.

This is mainly for a #10 Crucible from Legend Mining, about the same as an A-10.
I bought a 36 inch piece of 1/2" all-thread rod and a 1" square tube. Also a piece of 12 gauge, 3/4" flat. I made a loop out of the flat and bolted the ends together on one end of the rod. I fed the rod through the square tube after I welded a washer on the end of the tube. The all-thread comes through the washer and I put a nut on the end. Tighten the nut to tighten the ring onto the crucible. Just snug enough to hold it, don't crush it. Also, by pulling out the ring a little, you can expand it enough to fit a #20 Crucible.
I hope this makes sense. The pictures should help.

[Rasper]

That looks like an excellent shank.

[Jammer]

I saw something like this on U-toob a couple years ago. He didn't show the build so I made my own version.

[F.C.]

Neat idea... but it looks like it takes too much time to mess about with, plus, it won't reach inside a furnace and pull the crucible out. I created mine to do both remove the crucible from a deep well furnace and carry it to the mold and pour without transfering to another tool. Works on all crucible sizes and can handle up to 100 lbs of melt.

[Rocco]

F.C. that reminds me a lot of the tongs from THIS SITE, I've always thought it was a great idea to combine the functionality of tongs and pouring shank.

[Jammer]

Nice FC, I've been trying to decide whether to make tongs like that or furnace that lifts off from below the crucible. I need to make a new small furnace, I think it will split at about the base of the crucible.

[F.C.]

So you're aware, Jammer, when you lift a furnace off a crucible it remains elevated above it... this creates a draw of air through from the bottom of the raised furnace wall up through its center as a smoke stack would draw from a fire place. The air flow by the crucible will reduce the amount of time you have to mess about with skimming and transfering over to pour your mold. It will also chill your furnace lining quickly and reduce reserved heat you'd have to otherwise recreate with another extended burn if you havemore than one mold to pour. Think through the ergonomic and consequencial processes before you invest time and resources toward the creation of another furnace. A swivel top furnace with a scissor type set of tongs like I built would serve nicely to minimize cool down when you turn the fuel and blower off, give you ample time to skim the melt while protected within a glowing furnace wall, then upon swiveling the top off it's only one move to remove the crucible and swing it into position to do the pour, then one move back again to put back into the furnace for gradual cool down or recharging and firing. I'll post my furnace if you like so you can see how to make one out of a hot water heater that has a swivel lid and casters to make it easily moveable.

[F.C.]

Here's a few pics of the bronze furnace I use the most.