Casting Newbie [Was: RE: [TheForge] Casting a power hammer?]

[Bruce Freeman]

I have cast aluminum using a Gingery charcoal-fueled crucible furnace. 
I recommend this as a starting point.  It will teach you a lot about
casting at comparatively low risk.  Aluminum melts at a lot lower
temperature than brass, is much less subject to problems like zinc
depletion, and is nontoxic (unlike both copper and zinc).  Aluminum does
oxidize, but if you don't stir the melt this won't be a terrible
problem.  I suggest Gingery's books and/or Chas. Ammens books - some of
which are still available new.

Bruce
NJ

>>> awashington at ou.edu 7/31/2006 3:47:54 PM >>>
Frosty and Mickey,
 
Okay, now you've gone an done it!  My 19 year old son wants to do some
casting.  He is familiar with coal forge blacksmithing, so he knows
about being careful around hot stuff.  Right now what he thinks he wants
to cast is knife (and sword) hardware, belt buckles, and medallions,
etc.
 
I have several ingots of brass that came from a defunct belt buckle
factory, so I know it is suitable for casting.  And, I have Mickey's
book on burners.  Aside from that, I don't know jack about casting.
 
My questions to you fine folk are, how shall I advise him to get
started?  Which of the two Yahoo groups Mickey mentions (Castinghobby or
Hobbicast) would be best for a newbie to join?  Does one seem to
tolerate basic questions better than the other?  What is a good starter
book for him to read?
 
I feel a new sickness coming on....  
 
Aubrey  
Rock Creek Forge

________________________________

From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net on behalf of Michael
Sent: Sun 7/30/2006 1:11 PM
To: 'Sponsored by ABANA'
Subject: RE: [TheForge] Casting a power hammer?



Frosty,
I'm not laughing; it sounds to me as if you have worked out a logical
plan.
However, it also sounds like you have not consulted with the
Australians at
all when it comes to cupola construction. I would suggest you do so.
They
have been playing around very successfully with cupola performance
enhancement schemes in recent years. Go to Castinghobby or Hobbicast
Yahoo
newsgroup > look in files for Cameron Mckeown > Do Web search under
name >
Do Web search again, adding AU after name > Finally, go to website:
http://home.iprimus.com.au/cmckeown/ > select foundry > resist
temptation to
linger over various out of date burner plans and early furnaces >
Select A
Day Out In The Valley as the place to begin your quest to find a
practical
furnace plan > learn all you can > Contact Cameron (tell him I said
"hi."
Shrug it off when he says "who? Oh, him; it's been years." Get to know
Cameron, write back and forth, and come up with more convenient plan
for
your proposed furnace.
Mikey