Abstract: A ladle of the type having a bottom wall, sidewall and opposite trunnions extending outwardly from an upper portion of the sidewall is provided with a refractory lining by positioning a mandrel inside of the ladle in spaced relationship to the walls thereof to define a castable space. The mandrel is attached to an elongated horizontal support which extends over the top of the ladle. The elongated horizontal support is supported by the ladle trunnions and is also locked thereto against upward displacement. At least a portion of the mandrel which cooperates with the ladle sidewall is expandable and collapsible toward and away from the ladle sidewall. After the castable space is filled with castable refractory material, such material is allowed to solidify, and the elongated horizontal support is released from the trunnions so that the support and mandrel attached thereto can be lifted upwardly.