[TheForge] a blacksmithing question and a ceramic/pottery question

[Ries Niemi]

If you cant tell the difference between zamac, real aluminum, copper alloys, and cast iron, you need to take the part to somebody who can. This is mostly experience- feel, weight, and just having seen a lot of it. 
most zamac (cheap zinc aluminum alloys) are for throwaway, low stress parts, and the stuff is NOT repairable, 90% of the time. There is often lead in these alloys as well, which melts out, like the zinc, at very low temps, meaning any brazing or welding fixes fail every time.

ries


On Jan 4, 2012, at 11:25 PM, terry l. ridder wrote:

> hello;
> 
> reply intermixed below.
> 
> On Thu, 5 Jan 2012, Jim Poulimas wrote:
> 
>> 24 of these?
>> http://www.cafepress.com/+keep-calm-and-carry-on+mugs
>> 
> 
> yes, 24 of those. i am not going to pay $15.00 USD per mug.
> $15.00 x 24 == $360.00 USD
> 
> i can pick them up for 2.50 to 3.50 GBP per mug in cardiff, wales or maidenhead,
> england in the salvation army thrift store or the community thrift
> store, next time i am there.
> 
> i was attempting to give a person who is into pottery some work at a
> reasonable price.
> 
> i am always open to learning something new so learning how to make a mug
> or even perhaps a tea set would be appropriate.
> 
>> 
>> 
>> Lost wax vs. powder metal technology... sounds like you answered your own
>> question. What is it?
>> 
> 
> i do not understand how possibly knowing how the part was manufactured
> tells me what the material is that the part is made out of. perhaps you
> can explain that to me.
> 
> 
> -- 
> terry l. ridder ><>
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Ries Niemi
Industrial Artist
www.riesniemi.com