This is the third day of very chilly weather. Highs only in the 40’s F and showers as well this morning ! But we carry on with preparations for the first pouring day on June 8. Liz and Ben’s molds were turned over today so that the top sections of the molds could be made. This involved using Ojars tripod. Lifting objects with the tripod is one thing, changing their position is quite another ! This business requires very careful and knowledgable positioning of the tripod, and lifting straps and great care with the procedure. Ojars closely supervised the first placement and subsequent operations on the first mold after which the students, under the direction of Carl , repositioned the tripod and turned the remaining two large molds.
Tripod being re-positioned after the first two molds were turned over.
The casting area slopes in two directions and the molds need to be level ,so timber cribbing and shims were placed under the molds and where they would placed. The lifting straps had to be located very precisely in order to insure safety for the moving crew and security for the molds.
Lifting straps are put into place.
After the molds were rotated 180 degrees. The crew directed their efforts towards relining the cupola. The lid was removed and a steel form was made and put into place so that the castable refractory could be poured in place. This is necessary because the furnace lining was considerably melted during the last operation of the cuploa and we will need a robust liner in this furnace to stand up to casting 4 – 5 tons of iron!
The interior form for the liner requires bracing and careful placement.
The cupola is ready to receive the new refractory lining.
Awaiting new castable.
We also met today with the representative of AGA gas and discussed the various gases and equipment that we will need for the symposium and the Iron Conference. Considerable propane will be needed as well as CO2 and oxygen. It looks as though AGA will donate this material to us! . As soon as this is confirmed, the AGA logo will go on the Conference website. It is great to have such sponsors Everyone here is hoping for warmer and drier weather in the next few days as we start the second phase of mold-making. As always, thanks for following this blog.