Crucible Tongs and Shanks

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Crucible Tongs

MIFCO CRUCIBLE TONGS AND CRUCIBLE SHANKS ARE DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CRUCIBLE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION.  THEY ARE DESIGNED FOR USE WITH BILGE SHAPED CRUCIBLES.

Lifting a thirty-pound melt of aluminum
with a No. 40 Bent Crucible Tong.

Correctly designed crucible tongs provide maximum safety and crucible life.

Starting with #40B, all crucible tongs have links and rings. Claw type grippers are die formed to fit the contour of the crucible and apply even pressure.
All tongs are built with adjustable stop to prevent excess gripper pressure against the crucible walls. Excessive pressure can crush a crucible of molten metal. Steel webs add rigidity and strength.

The crucible  tongs can be locked open, or closed, with the locking latch. Once crucible is secured in the tongs it cannot be dropped.

Correct top clearance prevents pinching and chipping the crucible lip. Improper clearance at this point is the major cause of crucible failure.

Plain Crucible Tongs

With lifting eye bolt (40P and larger) and locking latch bar.
All tongs are sized to fit bilge crucibles. All tongs are designed to allow room to set the crucible into the furnace chamber and withdraw it for pouring.

Bent Handle Crucible Tongs

Bent Handle Crucible Tongs, Size 40 and larger, will have links and ring as well as bent handles for two man handling. Handle bent 90°, rings furnished to engage hoist. (2016 update- Eye bolts no longer furnished on bent tongs.)

*Cannot use with a T-80 Furnace.
All tongs are designed to fit bilge crucibles.

For Safety’s Sake

One of the greatest hazards in foundry work is the danger of dropping a crucible of molten metal. The MIFCO Crucible Safety Shank was developed by our engineers at the request of school administrators, to help eliminate this hazard. It is simple in design, yet easy to operate, and holds the crucible securely. This prevents the accidental dropping and dumping of a crucible of molten metal. The Safety Design has been tested thoroughly in school shops and commercial foundries, where safety regulations specify its use. It is available in both the Hand Shank and the two-man Single End Shank.

Crucible Shanks

Crucible shanks are foundry tools used to hold the crucible of molten metal while pouring the molds. Shanks are made in two standard designs – the one man Hand Shank and the two-man Single End Shank.

Illustration shows Adjustable Safety
Single End Pouring Shank with bail.

Crucible rings are die formed to shape and size, insuring correct fit at point below bilge diameter of crucible.Supporting pads placed inside ring for four-point suspension. Design provides air space between crucible and ring. This prevents heat transfer from crucible to band and adds to the service life of crucible and shank.

All Single End shanks are offset to provide better balance of the crucible when pouring.
Tubular handles for light weight and strength. Handle length and tubing size varies with size shank.
Crucible shank bails available for handling large crucible with hoist and trolley.
Using these basic design features, MIFCO developed and added the spring loaded latch as a locking device for the Safety Series.

OUTSTANDING FEATURES OF THE SAFETY SHANKS ARE:

Adequately Held – The spring-loaded locking device holds the crucible so securely in place, it can be completely inverted while pouring. Larger sizes are equipped with double locks.

Simple in Design – Simplicity of design insures positive action and dependable operation.

Easy to Use – The locking arms swing clear of the shank ring and in no way impedes the loading of the crucible. The latch handle is conveniently located on the shank handle.

More Efficient – Entire contents of the crucible can be poured without the risk of dropping the crucible.

Labor Saving – Eliminates need for additional help to hold crucible in shank ring while pouring.

Safety Pouring Crucible Shanks

SAFETY LOCK – PLAIN – ADJUSTABLE SAFETY LOCK

SAFETY HAND CRUCIBLE SHANK-S116H shown above

SAFETY SINGLE CRUCIBLE SHANKS

THE SAFETY LOCK SHANK was developed to prevent the accidental dropping of a crucible of hot metal. It is highly recommended for school shop use.

THE ADJUSTABLE SAFETY LOCK SHANK is furnished on single end shanks only. Each size shank can be adjusted to fit two sizes of clay graphite or silicon carbide crucibles. Adjustable support pads placed inside shank band provides three to four point suspension. Positive adjustment is easily and quickly made. Loosen lock nuts, move pads to desired position, then tighten lock nuts.

Double Latch starts at S450SE and larger.

Double Latch starts at S450SE and larger.

ADJUSTABLE SAFETY SINGLE END SHANKS

Double Latch starts at S450DE and larger.

ADJUSTABLE SAFETY DOUBLE END SHANK-(one end will swivel)

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