(Photo of tools not ready yet) 11/17/03
There are a lot of tools you will want to have ready before you begin melting metal, let alone casting. Since nobody else has a really good list (that I've found so far) I decided to put this on my site to help out the new people. Okay, people even newer than me!
Melting Tools
Tools you will want to have available when you begin melting include: some type of 'poker', something to remove the VERY HOT crucible, some type of stainless steel spoon for skimming, safety glasses (a face shield is much better), long pants and shirt, boots, and leather or welding gloves. If you are using a charcoal furnace (I recommend this for beginners), you will also need a small shovel, and tongs to move around hot coals.
I am using a tool set for a wood burner which includes a small (5 or 6 inch) shovel, poker, and brush (not used). These tools are nice and light and designed to be around hot objects.
The stainless steel spoon was bought for $1 at a "Dollar General" store. It has small holes in it which is perfect for our use. Make sure you bolt it or somehow securely fasten the spoon to a longer handle to keep you away from the flames and molten metal.
Casting Tools
Tools you will need for casting are much more specialized. You'll need casting sand (either greensand or petrobond, some type of container to hold the sand when not in use, a flask to hold the sand while casting, a rammer, a striker, a sprue cutter or form, a gate cutter, and something to cut and form the sand for the top of the sprue or while "coping down".
More details to come...
