I am trying to melt used copper tubing into ingots. My dad wanted to recycle it and trade it for US money, I think melting it into an ingot is better since it is actually worth something.

I was reading an article on www.jamesyawn.com about a furnace he used to melt aluminum into rocket nozzles. I fear that since this tubing is so thick and the steel can is so thin that I will probably melt the can before the tubing.

Does anyone have any good ideas about what I could do to make a more "meaty" furnace that is more sturdy. I am working on a few experiments, I have achieved melting some aluminum coke tabs but nothing else.