16 Nov. 2008
A few lessons were learned from the experiment of Nov. 11.
I added a wind skirt around the bottom to try to lessen the drafts from the breeze.
I also added a perminent shelf for the water can.
The new setup is light enough to carry with one hand with no water and the furnace and crucible removed.
Here is a view of the hot spot via the secondary mirror.
I remelted the ingot from the 11th in about 45 minutes, 4lbs. 9oz.
Then some scrap was melted producing an ingot of 7lbs. 3 oz. in about the same amount of time.
A therometer through the insulation at the top of the furnace registered almost 500ºF.
This is the latest report. Click here for the rest of the story.