Knowing how to work with metal will open up many doors for you and help you to become self-sufficient and give you an edge as you will be able to fix or create things others may not.

Things You’ll Need

• Brass scrap or ingots
• Carbon fiber/Kevlar gloves
• Rubber apron
• Tinted protective eyewear
• Welding apron
• Leather workbooks
• Metal furnace
• Charcoal (optional)
• Clay/graphite crucible
• Long metal tongs
• Pouring shank
• Metal mold

Instructions:

• Eliminate all non-brass parts from your brass items.

• Take all of your materials outside. Start your metal furnace by igniting the charcoal or pilot light of the gas line. Let the furnace heat until it is glowing red. Keep a bucket of water and a fire extinguisher nearby as you may need it in case of emergency flare-ups after the furnace fire starts to heat up.

• Load the crucible with the brass that you would like to melt down. Use a crucible that is made from a clay-graphite mix, as metal crucibles may melt during the process. Lower the crucible into the furnace with a pair of tongs. Use long-handled tongs made for metal casting. Place the lid on the furnace.

• Let the furnace heat the brass. Remove the lid with the tongs to check on the brass periodically. Stoke the fire with charcoal if needed. Remove the crucible with a pouring shank after the brass has started to smoke and is glowing bright red.

• Pour the brass into your mold. Fill the mold quickly so the brass will not cool before it is inside the mold.

Tips and Warnings