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

[Bruce Freeman]

I used cast iron cooking pots with the handles broken off as crucibles. 
(Cheap ones from China, purchased at flea markets for next to nothing.) 
If those work, steel should work.

On the other hand, I did melt one, by accident.  Made a bit of a mess
in the furnace, but not really all that big a deal.

Ideally, a clay wash inside should be used to prevent contamination of
the aluminum with iron.  I didn't bother.

Bruce

>>> awashington at ou.edu 8/2/2006 10:31:46 AM >>>
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