Melting Aluminum is fun.........

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I built a little charcoal driven Aluminum Melting furnace......As part of the build I needed something to melt aluminum into..... apparently called a crucible....... I dunno.....Had some 3" Sch 40 handy and so knocked that out and made some video of the process.....Nothing fancy.... a quick snap of the little thing.....Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Cool bro!I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Quick, and Dirty - Just like I like my women. Nicely done. I like the pipe trick for making the spout. I'll be using that one.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:I've seen guys put an eye or plate with a hole in it near the bottom. That way when you want to go and pour, you grab the eye with a hook and can lift the bottom of the crucible.I want to eventually build a propane fired furnace to do casting, but I haven't found the time yet. I have all the burner parts, I just have to determine the size of the furnace and build it..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Great video, thanks for posting.  The pipe trick was great to see!  Would love to hear follow up on how well it works, how quickly it deforms or fails and whether you have a problem with aluminum getting stuck in the crucible.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:Fexal when you want to get into bigger melts look into waste a oil furnace.  You can use engine oil, frying oil and others.http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com/oilburners02.htmland lost foam casting you can make some really nice parts for projects. Attached ImagesDIY CNC Plasma table USB BOB Price THCHypertherm 65Everlast PowerTig 255 EXTMiler 180 Mig13" metal latheMill/ DrillECT, ECT,
Reply:Molten aluminum will pick up iron from the steel crucible.  Not a big deal for non-critical use. You could make some lift-out and pouring tongs.  Might need to add a bit of a lip on your crucible to prevent it slipping.http://www.mibot.com/foundry/tools.php"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:heres a source for casting stuff.....http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...FCrucibles.phpOf all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:Oldendum I like those. I'm saving those images for when I get to making my casting setup. I hadn't gotten that far quite yet but I like the ideas..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by acourtjester lost foam casting you can make some really nice parts for projects.
Reply:You are correct I used a hot wire to cut the foam.  I used like a Pantograph to hold the wire and had a pattern to follow below the foam I just move it by hand.  I know of another guy the hooked a hot wire to his CNC table to cut foam parts.  I used a light dimmer to control the wire temps you want it just hot enough to melt through the foam no hotter glowing red is to hot.  I glued the foam together to make thicker parts and then glue on a pouring channel.  The whole thing was coated with Wall texture stuff (some brands work better then others) this keeps the surface smooth and keeps the sand from getting into the casting.  I used a big wash tub and put a layer of sand down then the parts and filled with sand to hold them up.  No need to pack the sand as it is used as a support not a shaping medium.All parts for the dividing head were cast from aluminum "Dave Gingery Plans" Worked great too. Attached ImagesDIY CNC Plasma table USB BOB Price THCHypertherm 65Everlast PowerTig 255 EXTMiler 180 Mig13" metal latheMill/ DrillECT, ECT,