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

[Washington, Aubrey O.]

Thanks, Bruce.  What are the relative merits of charcoal vs. coke for a crucible furnace?  Can he get by with a welded pipe crucible for aluminum?

________________________________

From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net on behalf of Bruce Freeman
Sent: Tue 8/1/2006 7:34 AM
To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Casting Newbie [Was: RE: [TheForge] Casting a power hammer?]



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