Tool Set for a #10 SiC
Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 6:52 pm
Here are the jaws for the tongs made up and strapped into place to weld the hinge in. I use these tongs for both lifting and pouring.
And welded up. The jaws are 3/8" thick and I think I will eventually remake them using light plate. The complete tongs weigh 23 lbs and If I could trim ten pounds off and still feel good about them it would save me a little on the lifting. They are strong as a tank though and will last forever so I am happy with that.
The lower jaws are angled in slightly to cradle the crucible as it gets smaller at the bottom. I made these so I would lower them to just touch the top of the crucible then lift a little and squeeze the handle to close them.
Here is the new set I made today, the handle of the tongs are bent in at the top for a comfortable grip in my right hand keeping them closed.
The cross piece is both a handle for my left hand while pouring and a stop so I wont put too much pressure on the crucible. I welded the nut on the hinge bolt. The handles are 3/4" rebar, this is another area where I could save some weight on the next pair. The charging tongs and skimmer are 1/2 tubing.
Close up of the charging tongs and skimmer.
I think this set will work out nicely. I paid attention in the design to the balance of the load and kept as much distance from the crucible I felt was needed for my left hand. I also made sure I could see the pouring spout through the pour for seeing how fast the metal is coming out of the pot.
Robert, yes those home brew look great and they handle my rough use better than the $60 BCS ones that only hold two more pounds. With a thicker wall and larger mold I could make the same capacity of the BCS crucible and they would last twice as long and only cost about $3 each to make. If anyone does decide to make their own they need to pay particular attention to getting the refractory consolidated well, I used a concrete vibrator on the table I was making them on.
And welded up. The jaws are 3/8" thick and I think I will eventually remake them using light plate. The complete tongs weigh 23 lbs and If I could trim ten pounds off and still feel good about them it would save me a little on the lifting. They are strong as a tank though and will last forever so I am happy with that.
The lower jaws are angled in slightly to cradle the crucible as it gets smaller at the bottom. I made these so I would lower them to just touch the top of the crucible then lift a little and squeeze the handle to close them.
Here is the new set I made today, the handle of the tongs are bent in at the top for a comfortable grip in my right hand keeping them closed.
The cross piece is both a handle for my left hand while pouring and a stop so I wont put too much pressure on the crucible. I welded the nut on the hinge bolt. The handles are 3/4" rebar, this is another area where I could save some weight on the next pair. The charging tongs and skimmer are 1/2 tubing.
Close up of the charging tongs and skimmer.
I think this set will work out nicely. I paid attention in the design to the balance of the load and kept as much distance from the crucible I felt was needed for my left hand. I also made sure I could see the pouring spout through the pour for seeing how fast the metal is coming out of the pot.
Robert, yes those home brew look great and they handle my rough use better than the $60 BCS ones that only hold two more pounds. With a thicker wall and larger mold I could make the same capacity of the BCS crucible and they would last twice as long and only cost about $3 each to make. If anyone does decide to make their own they need to pay particular attention to getting the refractory consolidated well, I used a concrete vibrator on the table I was making them on.