How to Make a Waste Oil Burner

Determine the source of fuel. The key component of a waste oil burner is used oil. You can't continually change the oil in your vehicle to get used motor oil. You must source out a steady supply of used fuel if you want to use the burner regularly.

Construct the main body of the burner by hammering a flat piece of sheet metal into the shape of an oblong box, leaving one end of the box open. If you have a piece of sheet metal already in the shape of a box, you can skip this step.

Place one end of a metal pipe on the bottom front of the box and trace the outline of the pipe. This will be the exhaust where the flames and heat exit the burner. Place one end of a metal pipe on the top rear of the box, and trace the outline of the pipe. This will be the manifold where the forced air and oil come into the burner.

Cut the holes out of the box with a torch. Fit the metal pipes into the holes of the box. Place the cardboard tube into the center of the box, and trace the ends of the pipe where the pipe will fit into the cardboard. Remove the cardboard tube and cut out the holes with a box cutter. Place the tube back into the box and slide the metal pipes into the cardboard tube about 1 inch.

Weld the two metal pipes to the box so that they are secure. Be very careful not to burn the cardboard tube.

Drill a hole the size of the metal plumbing fitting into the side of the pipe that is the intake for air and oil. The hole should be located a few inches down from the top of the pipe. Weld the fitting into place, and secure a metal ball valve onto the fitting. This will control the flow of oil into the burner.

Prepare the refractory cement according to the manufacturer's instructions. Pour the cement into the box surrounding the cardboard tube. Leave at least 1 inch of room at the top to accommodate the lid for the burner. Leave the cement to cure based on the label's directions.

Construct the lid for the burner out of a piece of sheet metal, and bend the edges with a hammer. Make sure the edges of the lid come completely down over the body of the burner.

Place the lid on a level surface with the underside of the lid exposed. Place a piece of cardboard tube in the center of the lid, that is slightly above the height of the lid. The diameter of this piece of tubing should be slightly smaller than the cardboard tube you used in the burner so that the lid fits snugly.

Prepare the refractory cement according to the label's instructions and pour it into the lid surrounding the cardboard tube. Leave the cement to cure according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Start a simple paper and wood fire in the burner, and place the lid on the burner. Attach a forced air instrument to the intake valve ,and begin the flow of oil to the oil intake pipe. The oil will ignite from the forced air, sending a steady flame and heat from the exhaust. Once the wood and cardboard tubes have burned away, the burner will be hot enough for the oil to sustain the burner.