I have a cast iron crucible, and a MAPP gas torchI can get copper/zinc/brass/aluminum to melt but can I get the metal hot enough without a furnace to melt the metal? If not what cheap small additions would I need? I live in an appartment with a ground floor patio so no room to store anything big, or even mediumI am only trying to cast small shapes(1 inch or so)I can sometimes use a portable forge to heat the metal, would that work?Also what fluxes for the different metals would I need?
Best cheapest thing you can do is try and seal the windows with plastic, making like a storm window to prevent air flow and trapping some air for insulationNext would be to add some attic insulationDon't know how much you want to do since you rent.
The cast iron crucible will certainly be dragging the heat away,so try to find a ceramic crucible-you will be able to find them at any jewellery supply house.You will also so find commercially prepared fluxes for melting,if not Borax powder is a fluxing agent I regularly use.With the small amount of meral you are wishing to melt,I think your MAPP torch should work,remember to adjust the flame to a reducing flame to prevent gassing the metal.The supply house RIOGRANDE has a complete inventory of anything you may require as well as some preprepared alloys that you may like to try.
