Above 1200 Sq/FT Cleaning Up My Shop

[realvc]

When they say the cans make too much slag do they say what happens to all the recycled cans? They are always saying stuff that they expect the rest of us to go by. They can't know as much as they think they do can they?

Job well done on the foundry and the results.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Nice car addition or foundry work?

I don't know - I can't figure out what to do next I'm needing to pick up brush after my woodcutter with the Bobcat, every old car has issues right now (fewer on the blue one), need to make more tongs and start on a proper furnace, old cars waiting to be restored, paint booth to finish, more shop cleaning and organizing to do, additional storage to consider, a big tree at a rent house to cut up for lumber, a 56 Chevy that still needs drug out of the ditch, it's about time to spray pasture for weeds, need to make brooms for an early June show (and June is coming like a freight train) and my biggest fear is getting bored.

Some times it get tuckered out just keeping up with your thread!

I seem to stay tired and don't know why.

When i walked into the garage tonight, i seen the broom i had ordered from you. Made me smile,Very cool.Thank you!!!

Glad you got it, and very pleased that you're happy with it

You have foundry real shop

Yes, I do have a foundry! Now I need to train a foundry man (me).

When they say the cans make too much slag do they say what happens to all the recycled cans? They are always saying stuff that they expect the rest of us to go by. They can't know as much as they think they do can they?

It confuses me. I don't recycle aluminum (I will not pay $10 in gas to get $9 for scrap) but it seems they pay more for cans than things like window frames and chairs. Maybe not. Previously cast aluminum has silicon added to make it pour better (I think) so I have a lot to learn regarding can I add silicon to structural aluminum or does it matter for the stuff I'm doing? And maybe a recycler foundry has good oxygen control which controls the slag percentage.

Lot's of advice on the internet is conflicting and lot's is flawed as we all know. In our own area of expertise we see erroneous truths posted all the time. And, it being our field, we know why the posters are in error, or at least misleading. So in this area where I am a novice, sorting out the truth, old wives tales, and reasonable advice is difficult. It may very well be after casting cans for some time when I move to structural and scrap castings I'll not want to go back to cans for the bother. That would make the advice true but misleading "you'll find melting cans to be less efficient than heavier sections" for instance. We will see.

Job well done on the foundry and the results.

Thanks!!

Once again, many nice comments. Thanks, guys!!

 

[bdbecker]

I've really enjoyed following your foundry exploits. Years ago, I got all "fired" up about setting up an aluminum foundry after getting my hands on a set of the Gingery shop series books, but haven't found the time yet. Interestingly enough, I also was planning on using aluminum cans (I seem to always have a steady supply of those), so this has all been very enlightening.

 

[oldironfarmer]

I've really enjoyed following your foundry exploits. Years ago, I got all "fired" up about setting up an aluminum foundry after getting my hands on a set of the Gingery shop series books, but haven't found the time yet. Interestingly enough, I also was planning on using aluminum cans (I seem to always have a steady supply of those), so this has all been very enlightening.

Stay tuned!

 

[oldironfarmer]

Cast another cylinder today. Thought I'd detail a little of the molding process. I haven't made a split pattern so I blocked up the pattern in the cope (top part of the flask) and rammed it full of sand and struck it off.

Then put the drag on, still upside down.

Sprinkle parting compound so sand doesn't stick together, ram sand in this side, then flip it over, take off the cope, remove all the sand and blocking which initially held up the pattern, then re-pack the cope and put the sprue and gates in. Then it's ready to pour

I made a sheet metal shield to insulate the wood frame from the crucible. It blew off with the wind after pouring was done.

I used flour for parting compound on this pour, a book recommended wheat flour. I think it burned. I'll go back to talc next pour.

But it looks really good. I tried two gates for practice even though one worked well on the first pour.

Like yesterday I warmed up the furnace by melting 70 soda cans. Then while the cylinder was cooling I melted 70 more. Now have a gallon ice cream bucket full of muffins.

Sawed the gates off and it looks solid inside.

Turned one end, flipped it, and turned the other

Not bad for aluminum cans. 1-3/16" diameter by 5-15/16" long.

The casting has lots of little air pockets, about 0.020" diameter. It appears the density of the rod is about 95% of solid aluminum. I don't think the air pockets are significant if they aren't connected, and they aren't that close.

This was a good day in the foundry learning business.

 

[Bob Heine]

Andy, are you going to bore a large hole in that aluminum rod and leave a bottom in it? You could then fill it with Coke. Maybe make a lid with a hole in it? A kind of a soft drink ouroboros (I'm not that smart -- my wife asked for the bracelet version).

 

[drivesitfar]

ANDY: i'll chime in and say i'm enjoying all your foundry and melting aluminum cans posts.

so what's in store for POUR #3? 3 outlets, maybe a spray or wax instead of flour or what other method (just threw out wax and have no idea if that would be good or bad)? longer stick for longer piece? or do tell?

so i know you have some costs into making this besides your time, but it's pretty cool you are making something out of old pop cans. WELL DONE SIR!!

keep up the great posts and hope you are taking all the safety precautions too.

cheers

 

[oldironfarmer]

Andy, are you going to bore a large hole in that aluminum rod and leave a bottom in it? You could then fill it with Coke. Maybe make a lid with a hole in it? A kind of a soft drink ouroboros (I'm not that smart -- my wife asked for the bracelet version).

Yeah, my son suggested trying to make soft drink cans as a means of recycling the material. I'm going to call the Pepsi plant tomorrow and see if I can sell them some containers.

ANDY: i'll chime in and say i'm enjoying all your foundry and melting aluminum cans posts.

Thank you!

so what's in store for POUR #3? 3 outlets, maybe a spray or wax instead of flour or what other method (just threw out wax and have no idea if that would be good or bad)? longer stick for longer piece? or do tell?

Going back to talcum powder to see if the burning goes away

I just need to practice. I may cast a larger and shorter cylinder to make more turning stock. I also want to make a v-belt pulley. And if I find time to make a decent pattern I want to make some OIF coasters.

I need lots of practice packing sand and cutting sprues and gates. Enough practice you start to get better.

so i know you have some costs into making this besides your time, but it's pretty cool you are making something out of old pop cans. WELL DONE SIR!!

Thank you so much!! The whole process has been pretty cheap, hundreds, not thousands. I also have some old ladders, a big satellite dish, transmission cases, rods and pistons, etc. to melt. But I want to save the better material for when the foundry man is a bit better.

keep up the great posts and hope you are taking all the safety precautions too.

cheers

Thanks for the reminder on safety. It just would be no fun to get maimed and not pursue a hobby or two in my old age.

Tomorrow's Saturday!!

 

[Vieux]

A good result of the aluminium casting.

 

[dchance]

Andy
Do you have time to grow old? Seems like you stay to busy.

I like your new car, great addition. The work with the foundry is really exciting. What can be done to eliminate the air pockets?

Dwight

 

[Grumblebum]

Nice foundry progress Andy. The new ride might need a custom aluminium steering wheel forged up. (Unless you are partial to the furry purple thing - )

I have what I think might be a cast aluminium cigar ash tray that came with a bottle of scotch. I'll look in the morning but perhaps might be handy as a template idea for the OIF coasters (or should that be OAF now?)

Cheers GB.

 

[dlcwent]

I'm still here Andy. You didn't think you could get rid of me that easily did you?

Very interesting seeing what you're up to (as usual)

 

[oldironfarmer]

A good result of the aluminium casting.

Thank you! After the novelty of casting wears off my primary goal is to be able to make pieces to be machined. A short piece of 25 mm bar stock is expensive by the pound, and if you have some you'll need 35 mm so hopefully I can make my own supply when required.

Andy
Do you have time to grow old? Seems like you stay to busy.

Growing old is just like honey dripping off a spoon. It just seems like it is never going to happen but once it gets to going it's too fast and you can't control it. I'm frantic now trying to control my old age dripping!

I like your new car, great addition. The work with the foundry is really exciting. What can be done to eliminate the air pockets?

Dwight

Thank you!! The new car is a pleasure to look at. But i don't have time for it at present

So long as the air pockets are very small they are not a big issue. I joined a casting forum and they have lots of ideas. One is to not use aluminum cans Another is to not leave it in the pot too long. And I think I poured too slowly and may have introduced air in pouring. it just takes more pours and more machining to see what works. The burning flour may have also contributed to the air.

It is a pleasure to have lots of time to work on the problem

Nice foundry progress Andy. The new ride might need a custom aluminium steering wheel forged up. (Unless you are partial to the furry purple thing - )

No, that furry purple stuff is more Dan's thing

I have what I think might be a cast aluminium cigar ash tray that came with a bottle of scotch. I'll look in the morning but perhaps might be handy as a template idea for the OIF coasters (or should that be OAF now?)

Cheers GB.

I'd like to see your ash tray and raise you one coaster. OAF (Old *** Farmer)

I'm still here Andy. You didn't think you could get rid of me that easily did you?

I was starting to wonder about you. Love the WOP!

Very interesting seeing what you're up to (as usual)

Thank you!

And thanks for all the interest! The foundry thingy will pass but it sure has my attention right now

And, it's SATURDAY

 

[jimreed2160]

This stuff can get complex fast. Maybe it is time to take a trip down metallurgy road. Aluminum is a versatile metal because it can take on different properties when alloyed with other metals. According to Mr Google, there are 530 registered alloys of aluminum. No wonder it is so popular.

Beverage containers are made of different alloys with a popular form being 3004 for the sides and 5182 for the bottom. Interesting note is that the mfgs only warranty the integrity of the can for one year. So drink those beers quickly. Here is the composition of those alloys.

Alloy 3004 5182
Manganese 1.2% 1%
Magnesium 5% .7%
Chrome 0 1%

Melting the sides and the bottoms together creates another alloy.

I think the takeaway here is to keep your muffins separated by source. It will reduce some of the randomness of using mystery metal. If you separate and mark your muffin source, then you can expect consistency from each batch. This could be important for your final product. For example, melted cans may machine differently from melted ladders. Melted ladders may have more air pockets than engine heads. Understanding these differences will allow you to select source better for specific projects.

I hope this helps. We are all enjoying your foundry work. Thanks for sharing.

 

[booch]

Grumblebum beat me to the suggestion that you now should change your name to Old Aluminum Farmer aka OAF, Andy... I guess I have learned so much laziness in this thread I have to assume I'll be 2nd place in everything else from here on out. Keep up the slow pace!

 

[oldironfarmer]

This stuff can get complex fast. Maybe it is time to take a trip down metallurgy road. Aluminum is a versatile metal because it can take on different properties when alloyed with other metals. According to Mr Google, there are 530 registered alloys of aluminum. No wonder it is so popular.

Beverage containers are made of different alloys with a popular form being 3004 for the sides and 5182 for the bottom. Interesting note is that the mfgs only warranty the integrity of the can for one year. So drink those beers quickly. Here is the composition of those alloys.

Alloy 3004 5182
Manganese 1.2% 1%
Magnesium 5% .7%
Chrome 0 1%

Melting the sides and the bottoms together creates another alloy.

I think the takeaway here is to keep your muffins separated by source. It will reduce some of the randomness of using mystery metal. If you separate and mark your muffin source, then you can expect consistency from each batch. This could be important for your final product. For example, melted cans may machine differently from melted ladders. Melted ladders may have more air pockets than engine heads. Understanding these differences will allow you to select source better for specific projects.

I hope this helps. We are all enjoying your foundry work. Thanks for sharing.

Is there nothing simple anymore? Very interesting response, thank you From what I've learned it appears most cans and extrusions are pretty much pure aluminum and do not cast well. Engines, heads, and wheels do cast well. Mixtures may do well if you don't overdo it. So my current casting plans my be in the can, so to speak.

Thanks for the comments!

Grumblebum beat me to the suggestion that you now should change your name to Old Aluminum Farmer aka OAF, Andy... I guess I have learned so much laziness in this thread I have to assume I'll be 2nd place in everything else from here on out. Keep up the slow pace!

Uh-oh, I misunderstood OAF

Who you calling Lazy Andy? Well, I can't shake it. So I just do what I can to overcome it and get at least a little done. I'll go as slow as I can.

Thanks for reminding me

 

[oldironfarmer]

Another day and not much done I had such hopes to get Rome rebuilt.

I did get a 3 ft spoon made for dipping dross out. And got the handle made for for a pouring tool.

Also heated up the 304 SS crucible and formed a spout in it, hopefully get the hot metal out more accurately and quicker.

Turned a blank pattern to cast a v-belt sheave. Black walnut wood, it works easy and I've got lots of scraps. I started to clean the end off, but if the dimple casts in it will help when drilling the hold.

Made it in two pieces so I can put a bigger wheel on for a larger sheave.

And made one more shelf for mold making. I think I've got a place for most the tools, now.

And that was the day. Thanks for stopping by!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Andy, thank you for sharing your casting process with us.


Absolutely fascinating.

As for rebuilding Rome you have given it a fair crack ..

Regards

 

[Grumblebum]

Lol, yes I meant aluminium, not ***

Couple of pics of the cigar tray.

Top 3-7/8” diameter. Seems a good size for said beverage (See third pic)

View media item 68892
Bottom.

View media item 68893
Sample. Just needs the base to be flat and not have the divet in it.

View media item 68894
Andy, if it's of use I'm happy to throw it in the post to you.

Cheers GB.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Andy, thank you for sharing your casting process with us.

Absolutely fascinating.

As for rebuilding Rome you have given it a fair crack ..

Regards

Thanks for the kind words. As I've said before, my dear Mother In Law used to say "all I need are a few kind words". Me too!

I regret that my reputation for being Lazy Andy has gotten around. You just cannot live something like that down. Oh well, got to keep trying. Thanks for the visit!!!

Lol, yes I meant aluminium, not ***

Couple of pics of the cigar tray.

Top 3-7/8” diameter. Seems a good size for said beverage (See third pic)

View media item 68892
Bottom.

View media item 68893
Sample. Just needs the base to be flat and not have the divet in it.

View media item 68894
Andy, if it's of use I'm happy to throw it in the post to you.

Cheers GB.

Cool cigar coaster? That's what I have in mind. Of course coarse sand casting, but the same idea. That one looks to be die cast, nice work.

While I will never turn down a gift, the pictures are worth a thousand first steps. Or is it "every journey is worth a thousand pictures"?

Since it is die cast it does not have enough draft for a sand casting and I would have to machine it to use it for a pattern. And it looks to be 3-15/16".

Guess I'd better get to designing one.

Thanks for stopping in, guys!

Use a dime on top of the Coke machine. The cans won't activate the low inventory indicator so I keep track of inventory by the number of dimes on top of the machine. And since I'm selling $0.40 cans for a dime you might as well use my dime too

 

[wasfast]

Agree the cigar holder is die cast. The 4 ejector pin witness marks on the bottom are the giveaway and also the surface finish.

 

[dchance]

Andy, Casting looks good and the responses cause more learning, Doing a great job.

Dwight

 

[oldironfarmer]

Agree the cigar holder is die cast. The 4 ejector pin witness marks on the bottom are the giveaway and also the surface finish.

And, being die cast, it may be zinc rather than aluminum. Thanks for the comment.

Andy, Casting looks good and the responses cause more learning, Doing a great job.

Dwight

Thanks you. I'm learning a lot each day here lately. I hope I'm absorbing it.

 

[oldironfarmer]

More foundry work!

Finished my crucible handler.

It works well, but is a little tough to get off after I'm done pouring.

So I set about to use my v-belt sheave pattern. Here it is in the drag (right). The sprue is cut in the cope (left).

Pull the pattern, put the cope and drag together and it is ready to cast.

Here's the first peek inside after casting

Had some shrinkage cracks. I think the gate was too small to feed liquid as the large diameter was cooling.

In retrospect the gate should have been deeper.

Cut off the gate and started turning.

I think it's going to make a pulley!

Thanks for stopping by!

I'll try again with the sprue in the center of the sheave.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Andy, just awesome..

Love your work..

Edit, perhaps we can book another Site at the Lost Trades Fair????

http://www.losttrades.info/

 

[Craptain]

So... Apart from the cracks, did the pulley have voids or bubbles like the other castings?

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

 

[oldironfarmer]

Andy, just awesome..

Love your work..

Edit, perhaps we can book another Site at the Lost Trades Fair????

http://www.losttrades.info/

Many 1/2 thanks!!

I'm afraid I've strayed from my stated intention of cleaning up my shop

Interestingly, it would be less fun to demonstrate at the Lost Trades Fair than to investigate things you don't know how to do. When I demonstrate making brooms at a steam engine show I don't get much time for looking at steam engines. And, if there is a broom maker, I feel obligated to stay at my station because people who might be interested may pass by your demonstration only once and you deprive them if you take a break. (or you bless them depending on the quality of your skills and knowledge of the craft)

So... Apart from the cracks, did the pulley have voids or bubbles like the other castings?

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

I haven't cut the Vee yet, but everything else looks good. The bubbles are small enough I haven't inspected for them yet. I may get to finish it today. If the shrink cracks are on one end only it may make a serviceable pulley for my use.

Thanks for the comments gentlemen!

 

[drivesitfar]

Andy: i bet you have a FOUNDRY BOOK where you are keeping track of how much (weight wise) aluminum it takes to make each item and that's maybe why you are weighing each muffin? or are you weighing each muffin to let you know how many cans it takes to make them?

i love the foundry stuff and i think i recall doing that in shop class in 8th grade which i doubt many schools are doing this now cause of LIABILITY.

also it looks like that is 1/2 inch steel you bent around your cool crucible you made. how are you bending the steel? heat and bend or do you have a pipe bender in the shop?

also don't worry about the thread name cause you have one of my favorite threads and others will find it informational as well as funny if they take the time to read it. just make sure you clean the floors and paths for safety and with all the money you will be saving on aluminum parts you might just have to hire a worker to come in and CLEAN.

cheers and again i learned more just clicking on your thread. keep up the progress with your foundry and STUFF.

 

[bolensboneyard]

Like the holder/pourer

 

[larry_g]

I've done no casting but have machined a few home cast parts. That said I was advised to let the part age some, a few weeks, as it would tend to become harder and machine better. Just passing this on as it might be of use to you.

I also do not see a vent in your mold. I was under the impression that one used two holes in the mold, one to pour in the molten metal and a second opposite the pattern to allow gasses to escape. Again, just what I've heard and seen.


lg
no neat sig line

 

[jimreed2160]

I've done no casting but have machined a few home cast parts. That said I was advised to let the part age some, a few weeks, as it would tend to become harder and machine better. Just passing this on as it might be of use to you.

lg
no neat sig line

Interesting comment. I was involved with a few discussions years ago about Stanley plane castings. Folklore was that the cast iron was kept outside in a shed to "season" for a year's worth of thermal cycles. It was rumored to relieve stresses. I dunno.

Maybe the foundry just made large batches and it took awhile for the assembly line to keep up. I think metal is metal and wood is wood. Once the casting cools down, I would be surprised if it changes properties over time.

 

[drivesitfar]

Andy and All: i seem to remember learning or reading about that air hole too, but it's been too long for me to rely on where i read or heard it. i'll just keep watching and learning and maybe see if i can plug in some information i learn or learned elsewhere.

i seem to remember pouring some aluminum when i was about 14 in school and now i think one of the projects was the address of my parent's house where they still live and i think it's still hanging on their house so i'll get a picture if it is.

cheers and since it's Sunday and sort of a rest day did you drive the PURPLE car or buy maybe a red one?

 

[Guster]

Now you're cooking. What fun!

Your gate looks more than large enough. Separate riser might help with damming more metal and catching any sand or impurities after the ingate before they enter the mold gate. Vent will also help release mold outgassing/steaming and blowing back out the gate or trapping gas in the casting. Not such a problem with small simple parts but larger complex parts you'll notice it more. Vents don't have to be large either and many simply a small 1/8"-1/4" stick or thinwall tubing to cut them once everything is tampered. Surprised the casting using flour worked as well as it did. I would have expected that to outgas like a demon. On the pulley you could probably incorporate the the riser and the vent into the hub of the part making a simpler mold so the part that shrinks most is parted off as well.

What fun indeed!

 

[oldironfarmer]

Andy: i bet you have a FOUNDRY BOOK where you are keeping track of how much (weight wise) aluminum it takes to make each item and that's maybe why you are weighing each muffin? or are you weighing each muffin to let you know how many cans it takes to make them?

Well, no, I've not started a book of ounces per pattern. Maybe later, but the sprue and gate can be as much as the part. I do estimate how much is required and count out the muffins.

i love the foundry stuff and i think i recall doing that in shop class in 8th grade which i doubt many schools are doing this now cause of LIABILITY.

I did not have that opportunity in school. so I'm having to do it a the other end.

also it looks like that is 1/2 inch steel you bent around your cool crucible you made. how are you bending the steel? heat and bend or do you have a pipe bender in the shop?

It is half inch round. I started to use 5/8" (I have literally a ton of 5/8") but it was a bit heavy. That was heated on the coal forge and bent over the anvil horn to be a little larger than the crucible.

also don't worry about the thread name cause you have one of my favorite threads and others will find it informational as well as funny if they take the time to read it. just make sure you clean the floors and paths for safety and with all the money you will be saving on aluminum parts you might just have to hire a worker to come in and CLEAN.

Thank you so much for the kind words! I am trying to keep clean what I have cleaned. It is a struggle!

cheers and again i learned more just clicking on your thread. keep up the progress with your foundry and STUFF.

Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate your comments!

Like the holder/pourer

Thanks! It needs a little tweaking. It's a little harder to get on and off than I would like.

I've done no casting but have machined a few home cast parts. That said I was advised to let the part age some, a few weeks, as it would tend to become harder and machine better. Just passing this on as it might be of use to you.

I also do not see a vent in your mold. I was under the impression that one used two holes in the mold, one to pour in the molten metal and a second opposite the pattern to allow gasses to escape. Again, just what I've heard and seen.


lg
no neat sig line

Were you machining cast iron or aluminum? I may try letting a casting set. I'm getting better at machining it.

I vent both the drag and cope with 12 gauge copper wire, about an inch on center. The sand is quite porous to gas. I don't think I'm getting vent issues.

Thank you for the comments, they are appreciated.

Interesting comment. I was involved with a few discussions years ago about Stanley plane castings. Folklore was that the cast iron was kept outside in a shed to "season" for a year's worth of thermal cycles. It was rumored to relieve stresses. I dunno.

Maybe the foundry just made large batches and it took awhile for the assembly line to keep up. I think metal is metal and wood is wood. Once the casting cools down, I would be surprised if it changes properties over time.

Automotive cast iron blocks used to be seasoned, including allowing them to rust, to relieve stresses. There is dimensional stability improvement with aging or heat treating.

I'm not sure aluminum undergoes the same changes.

Andy and All: i seem to remember learning or reading about that air hole too, but it's been too long for me to rely on where i read or heard it. i'll just keep watching and learning and maybe see if i can plug in some information i learn or learned elsewhere.

i seem to remember pouring some aluminum when i was about 14 in school and now i think one of the projects was the address of my parent's house where they still live and i think it's still hanging on their house so i'll get a picture if it is.

cheers and since it's Sunday and sort of a rest day did you drive the PURPLE car or buy maybe a red one?

As mentioned before I do vent with a small wire.

My son also did some casting in school, but it was after his mom and I divorced so I didn't know about it until recently.

I did admire the purple car today.

Now you're cooking. What fun!

Your gate looks more than large enough. Separate riser might help with damming more metal and catching any sand or impurities after the ingate before they enter the mold gate. Vent will also help release mold outgassing/steaming and blowing back out the gate or trapping gas in the casting. Not such a problem with small simple parts but larger complex parts you'll notice it more. Vents don't have to be large either and many simply a small 1/8"-1/4" stick or thinwall tubing to cut them once everything is tampered. Surprised the casting using flour worked as well as it did. I would have expected that to outgas like a demon. On the pulley you could probably incorporate the the riser and the vent into the hub of the part making a simpler mold so the part that shrinks most is parted off as well.

What fun indeed!

As I mentioned I am perforating the sand in the drag and cope with a 12 ga wire, almost 1/8", about 3/32".

I did experiment with a riser in the hub area. More on that later.

Thanks for all teh good comments guys. I am having a blast!

 

[oldironfarmer]

More on foundry work today!

I finished turning my little sheave. Also relieved the face and that took out most if not all the cracking. I can't see any.

Getting better at machining the can material. It gets hot and sticks to the tool, then that which is stuck to the tool starts cutting until it breaks off giving a rough surface. So for the finish cut I make a light cut and clean the tool off after each cut. Some of the gouges are so deep I have to make three light passes to clean it up. But it is looking good!

I made another mold with a bump on the shrunken area and a larger gate. Here it is cooling, you can see the vent holes (I didn't remember to do that on all previous pours, it is hard to remember each step every time)

Talcum powder is working good for a parting compound

But now the large center portion, since it cools last, pulled the section between the bump and the gate in and cracked it. These may not turn out, I would rather have defects in the center.

I think I'm going to try a small gate and a smaller bump. Another option may be to put a core in where the hole will be. A doughnut shape should be more stable. I don't really want to pour directly into the mold, the metal needs to flow gently in. Here's the top where the cracks are

A lot more to learn about how metal cools and shrinks than I thought for small pieces.

Tomorrow is Saturday, but I have a closing to go to so a short shed day.

Keep the comments and ideas coming, please!

 

[Vieux]

Great job! I call it turning waste into income

 

[1/2 Cup]

Great job! I call it turning waste into income

You are correct there Vieux..

 

[oldironfarmer]

Great job! I call it turning waste into income

The guys on the foundry forum I just joined are complaining that I'm using cans. They tell me how much better originally cast alloy is for casting (primarily silicon additive) and I do have lot's of scrap castings. And sources are plentiful, from automotive heads, blocks, pistons, and gear box housings. some of their encouragement has caused me to stay with learning how to do a good job with cans. Once I master that I think I'll be better with a better alloy and people keep giving me cans. It is hardly worth the fuel to take them in for recycling and by giving them to me they are helping the needy!

You are correct there Vieux..

Not sure there is any income to be had. But certainly turning waste into usable satisfies a primal need that I'm genetically wired for.

Thanks for commenting, guys!

 

[drivesitfar]

Andy: speaking of waste are you collecting all those aluminum chips to re melt them or is there a limit on how many times aluminum cans material can be melted and re used?

i love the part you made BTW.

you haven't mentioned the cows much lately so i'm assuming they are still getting fed while all this foundry building and learning is going on especially those little guys that were just in their mom's womb a few months ago. yes??

cheers and best of luck with the foundry work

 

[Rex_A_Lott]

"Lot's of advice on the internet is conflicting and lot's is flawed as we all know. In our own area of expertise we see erroneous truths posted all the time. And, it being our field, we know why the posters are in error, or at least misleading. So in this area where I am a novice, sorting out the truth, old wives tales, and reasonable advice is difficult. It may very well be after casting cans for some time when I move to structural and scrap castings I'll not want to go back to cans for the bother. That would make the advice true but misleading "you'll find melting cans to be less efficient than heavier sections" for instance. We will see."

Well, brother, if you never tell the truth again in your life, you told it there!!

Pour on.