Homemade Refractories This page will detail some of the refractory formulas that I experiment with.

My
previous furnaces were all made from a clay form surrounded with regular concrete or mortar. The "2 bucks" furnace was my first use of an actual refractory formula. -Jan./16/2002 Refractory component tips "Masonry cement" (on the left) is not the same as "Portland cement". Portland cement is plain cement powder and specifically says Portland cement. Masonry cement is a mixture of Portland cement and sand. It may also contain other components (admixtures) to provide a certain characteristic such as waterproofing agents colors etc. In some cases you only need to add water to masonry cement mixtures.

!ireclay is usually (at least where I "uy it) sold in #$l"s (a"out %&'g) plain pac'ages and they don(t even say "fireclay" on them. I get it from a place that exclusively sells masonry supplies for )*.$$ (%$$% prices). I(ve never "een to a ceramics supply place so I can(t say whether or not they sell it. +hip out your phone "oo' and call if your wondering in fact may"e I(ll do that. ,nother type of clay is -entonite clay. I haven(t "een a"le to find any where I(m at. I(ve read that it(s availa"le from feed stores and farm supply places. .itty litter is "entonite clay. -ut unless you have a "ig roc' tum"ler or "all mill I don(t expect anyone to use this source. ,nyone willing to grind enough 'itty litter "y hand is a much more patient person them me. I(ve tried using it whole "ut it didn(t wor' however I thin' I might 'now a way.

Perlite is a light/weight odorless sterili0ed heat/ expanded volcanic mineral. It(s used in potting soil to loosen and aerate the soil resulting in strong "ranched root development. This is vital to vegeta"le seedlings "ecause... oh wait we(re tal'ing a"out refractory... The reason it(s so good for refractory formulas is "ecause it doesn(t conduct heat very well (heat doesn(t pass through readily). , similar product is called "vermiculite" it(s added to potting soil "ecause it retains moisture. This 1uality ma'es it undesira"le for refractory. The "% "uc's" furnace formula

The refractory mix is composed of Portland cement (2.# parts) silica sand (% parts) perlite (2.# parts) and fireclay (% parts). The first three components are mixed together thoroughly. I used a 2/gallon "uc'et to measure the parts. 3ess than one "ag of perlite was necessary for the "uc'et furnace and I had a"out a gallon and a 1uarter of refractory left over. Tip4 -uild the "ody for a coffee can furnace and use the remaining refractory for that. 5r mold the remainder into plinth "loc's or "ric's.

This is what the first three components loo' li'e when mixed.

,fter moistening the first part of the formula the fireclay is added as seen on the right side.

6ere is the refractory as I used it for my "% "uc's" furnace. The mixture was rather loose and gooey "ut it(s as stic'y as I don(t 'now what. Rather sloppy to wor' with also. It should actually "e mixed much drier. .eep it 7ust moist enough to hold together neatly. Try for the texture of stiff coo'ie dough.

This is what the a"ove refractory loo'ed li'e as I "egan lining the furnace "ody.

6ere(s another loo' at it.