A new and suitably stupid project . . .

[Roadkill]

Home Casting !!!  

I've always been fascinated with casting . . . the extreme heating of metal to turn it into liquid and make something from it . . that's grade "A" awesome, if you ask me.

I first considered this a couple of years ago when first pondering over the Caddy intake.

I found this :

http://www.instructables.com/id/Quick-cheap-and-dirty-aluminum-melting-furnace-s/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.instructables.com/id/Quick-cheap-and-dirty-aluminum-melting-furnace-s/

. . And then found it again recently as I'm looking to cast some ally breathers for the PCV system on the Caddy motor . . I'm also planning some cast lids to go on top of the ally intake to space the carbs correctly.

The link above is pretty cool, but the author states - unsurprisingly - that the sheet-metal tins fall apart after a few casts.

Further inspired by Art's recent Propane tank burner post I'm reckoning using a 47kg Propane tank as the burner, with an old CO2 fire extinguisher as the crucible.  

All pretty cheap, but certainly heavy duty stuff so far.

I'd also need some tube/pipe (free from the workshop) and a raised plate for the coals at the bottom and a breather lid for the top (cheap 6mm plate).

And a hair dryer (Ooh, Sammy . . )  

Once I've got a rig that works, I'll start worrying about the molds and sand.

[art b]

looking forward to it

[Roadkill]

Gonna start saving up my coke cans.  

[ianjpage]

oh dear this could end badly LOL!

be interesting to see the results though!

[Cunning Plan]

Quoting: ianjpage

be interesting to see the results though!

[FUBAR]

Quoting: Roadkill

Gonna start saving up my coke cans.  

Do you actually seriously mean this? if so I'll get the Pub to start stockpiling if you like?

[art b]

Quoting: FUBAR

Do you actually seriously mean this? if so I'll get the Pub to start stockpiling if you like?

recycling at its best

[art b]

Quoting: ianjpage

oh dear this could end badly LOL!

how hard can it be.....

[Big Mouse]

Quoting: Roadkill

with an old CO2 fire extinguisher as the crucible.

which I just happen to have lying around in my (nearly clear) garage having used it to make dry ice smoke for halloween

[art b]

Quoting: Big Mouse

which I just happen to have lying around in my (nearly clear) garage having used it to make dry ice smoke for halloween

hopefully a steel one ...

[Big Mouse]

Quoting: art b

hopefully a steel one

I'll have a look

[art b]

ive been using ,
instructables .com too.....

[Roadkill]

Cheers, but I got my hands on a full CO2 extinguisher today and had great pleasure in freezing some weeds on site before shattering them with a flick.



And no, I'll probably steal ally off cuts from the workshop as the quality will be better and it'll just be easier.



Ian, has that big gas cylinder still got gas in it or is it dead ?



EDIT

Actually, Art, you've got a point about the material .... It probably is an aluminium alloy of some sort ....

[Cunning Plan]

http://lifehacker.com/make-a-mini-foundry-for-cheap-that-can-melt-soda-cans-1680040014\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://lifehacker.com/make-a-mini-foundry-for-cheap-that-can-melt-soda-cans-1680040014

Now I want one

[Roadkill]

This project is linked to the Caddy project, really, so will progress slowly over time.

Minor update though, having secured a 47kg Gas cylinder (thanks Graeme / Ian) myself and Ian wrestled with it on Sunday to remove the valve (after it was emptied) and it's now sat, full of water until I'm ready to cut it down to the size I need.

[Cunning Plan]

Good  :up:

What will you be using to melt?  :pass:

[Roadkill]

What will you be using to melt?  :pass:

Aluminium.

The plan is to cast a lid for the intake on the Caddy.

[Roadkill]

Hey, it ain't a massive update but it's progress !!!

Gas bottle cut down to size (and currently being stored at work 'cos it f**king stinks !!!

[ianjpage]

interesting to see inside it, looks alsmost 'burnt' inside...wierd!

[Cunning Plan]

What will you be using to melt?

Aluminium.

Yah, I meant, where from? :P