Popular metalworking forums online include IForgeIron. The hobbyists and professionals there should be able to advise you.
Select a furnace large enough to hold the crucible and brass you intend to melt. Consider the fuel you will be using. Waste oil is a free fuel source, but the furnace may be more expensive. Propane furnaces are cleaner, but require you to keep purchasing more fuel. Solid fuel furnaces may be cheapest to purchase, or make yourself, but require significant fuel expense and cleanup if used frequently.
Always wear gloves and work in a ventilated area while removing lacquer, especially if using paint stripper.
Before using a new graphite crucible, heat it to 200ºF (95ºC) for 20 minutes and let cool. This removes excess moisture that can cause spattering. [3] X Research source Each crucible should only be used for one alloy. If you also plan to melt aluminum, iron, or other metals, they will each need their own crucible.
If you are able to weld, you may fabricate these tools yourself from scrap. Optionally, purchase a pyrometer for measuring high temperatures, to make it easier to determine when the brass is ready to pour.
Even when melting other metals, make sure your furnace has sufficient ventilation. Furnaces require a great deal of air, and may produce carbon dioxide and other gases, depending on the fuel source.
Children are at higher risk of lead poisoning than adults, and should be kept well away from the furnace while it is in use.
Remember to avoid any smoke that emerges from the furnace, and to wear safety equipment while nearby. While heating metal slightly above the melting point makes it easier to pour, overheating can cause its own problems, such as oxidization. Judging when the metal is ready to pour becomes easier with practice.
Note that some other metals, such as aluminum, create gases on their own, and require stirring to release these.
The furnace may take many hours to cool, but the ingots should be ready to handle well before that.
