Thanks much.
I do take a number of precautions with the iron, and the mold making process, and use industrial grade respirators, etc.
The iron pours were a bit unnerving at first, but one gets use to them eventually, and they become routine.
Using quality crucibles is critical, and only using crucibles that are in good shape is a must.
Worst case is a crucible breaking in mid-lift, and thus a potential iron splash up under the faceshield.
My plans for next year are to build a small crane to allow me to pull the crucible from the furnace without having to stand so close to the furnace or crucible.
As far as splashing molten iron, its generally no big deal with full leathers and boots, with pants over the top of the boots.
Its called the waterfall rule, where you wear protection for falling molten iron, like rain on a roof.
The art-iron folks splash molten iron everywhere, and so they make everything I do look downright safe, LOL.
Not for everyone for sure, but it is totally feasible in a backyard setting for a technical-oriented person.
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