[TheForge] New Member introduction.

[Andrew Vida]

Bruce Freeman wrote:

> "Bronze" ...fumes during melting means your melt is
> changing - not good.  

	It doesn't really fume that much unless you have over heated the melt, 
in which case it can be quite profuse.


> Have GREAT respect for molten metal, but properly
> handled it need not be feared.  

	Two of the most important issues for safe casting are to make 
absolutely certain that anything that is to come into contact with the 
molten metal is 101% free of any moisture.  Even small amounts of water 
can result in a vigorous steam reaction, which can spray molten metal 
all over the place.  The other is to properly dam the casting area in 
the case of a mold failure.  Even just a pound or two of 1600*++ metal 
flowing willy nilly through the shop will give you cause for 
constipation.  A 10# pour gone sour without proper containment can get 
very dangerous in very short order.  At the least it makes for some 
excitement.

	Bruce,  Sarina died Wed. evening.  Tough week, I'll tell you.  Hope 
things are good in PDX.