A crucible is a container for molten metal. Heated in a furnace, then removed to pour into molds. Pronounced- "crew-sybil"
1. Silicon carbide crucible. (left)
Pros: Melts all metals! Takes very high heat.
Cons: Need lifting and pouring tools. Crack
if you drop or bump too hard.
2.10 gauge Steel. (back)
Pros: Easy to pick up and pour by yourself. Can be
dropped or banged around without breaking.
Cons: Melts aluminum, yellow brass or lead only.
Can spring a leak if overheated or melting bronze.
3. Fire clay crucible (right)
Pros: Good for all metals. Can take very high heat
for long periods.
Cons: Needs special pouring tools. Fragile,
will crack if dropped or bumped too hard.
Silicon carbide crucibles need lifting tongs and a pouring shank. A pouring shank is just a steel circle slightly smaller than the crucible with a handle or two attached.
Lifting tongs can be light duty for under 10 lbs (pictured above), or heavy duty for more metal (pictured left).
When steel crucibles wear out, then they start to crack at the base. You can fix this and greatly improve the life of the crucible with greensand.
Put a hand full of molding sand into the crucible and pack into the inside of the welded seam. This will prevent the crucible from leaking, even with cracks. Replace the sand every other heat.
Overheating the steel crucible will just make a hole in the side where the flame is hitting.
Tapered crucibles can be picked up and poured with a "C" shaped lifting tool.
After a used silicon crucible gets about 1/2 to 5/8 inch thick, it is discarded. This crucible started out over1" thick.
