Thread: Furnace Build(likely to be very slow)

Hi Stuart,


CMA Eco Cycle
5-10 Reo Cresent
Campbellfield Vic 3061
Phone 03 9308 9415

They sell ingots of various metals with a guaranteed alloy composition.
Aluminium ingots $3.50 per Kg
Silicon Bronze $8.50 per Kg

Those prices are a few years old now... when you go there, tell the guy out the back what you want it for, and he'll recommend a suitable alloy.

When it comes to selecting aluminium recycling, the rule of thumb, is to choose things that are already cast, that's a fair bet that they will be suitable for melting down and re-casting..


Regards
Ray

Hi Ray and Josh,
At $3.50 per kg I dont think I will be chasing scrap. Not unless it lands on my doorstep.

Stuart

p.s. Thanks for the address

Originally Posted by RayG

When it comes to selecting aluminium recycling, the rule of thumb, is to choose things that are already cast, that's a fair bet that they will be suitable for melting down and re-casting..

is extruded stuff any good..I have a couple lengths of alloy extrusion that was used for the chain/guide track on garage roller door.....should I just take it to scarp merchants or is it suitable to melt and cast stuff with?

Originally Posted by eskimo

is extruded stuff any good..I have a couple lengths of alloy extrusion that was used for the chain/guide track on garage roller door.....should I just take it to scarp merchants or is it suitable to melt and cast stuff with?

If you only have a little scrap I would say it isn't worth it. With a large supply it might be worth playing with to find out how good it is, but if you are only going to say $10 I'd say scrap it and buy known ingot. Given the time, effort and cost of finding out you have wasted your time, effort and cash. Also as a beginner I like to have as many things going for me as I can.
But then again..........I havent even had a burner fired up as yet.
Stuart

I just came across this link in my search for Shrinkage and Machining tolerances…..Need to know how much oversize to make a pattern for Phosphor Bronze????

Foundry Manual
Foundry Mamual for the US Navy.



On a side not what is wrong with the forum today??????

Thanks for the link.

Originally Posted by DSEL74

On a side not what is wrong with the forum today??????

Nothing I am aware of...... am I missing something? lol

Stuart

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Thanks for the link.

Nothing I am aware of...... am I missing something? lol

Stuart

Was timing out loading, or not loading fully for me. Other websites were fine. Maybe I just got on her wrong side yesterday lol.

Originally Posted by DSEL74

Was timing out loading, or not loading fully for me. Other websites were fine. Maybe I just got on her wrong side yesterday lol.

It wasn't just you, a few of us experienced it yesterday.

What computer type and browser were you on?

Originally Posted by DJ's Timber

It wasn't just you, a few of us experienced it yesterday.

What computer type and browser were you on?

I'm on a Mac using Safari.

Originally Posted by DSEL74

I'm on a Mac using Safari.

Cheers for that, same as everyone else, Mac/iPad/iPhone and Safari is the common theme.

Originally Posted by Stustoys

If you only have a little scrap I would say it isn't worth it. With a large supply it might be worth playing with to find out how good it is, but if you are only going to say $10 I'd say scrap it and buy known ingot. Given the time, effort and cost of finding out you have wasted your time, effort and cash. Also as a beginner I like to have as many things going for me as I can.
But then again..........I havent even had a burner fired up as yet.
Stuart

thanks Stuart
I'll keep all my old cast pulleys and toss the other

Well its turns out Foseco isnt open Saturday mornings........ lazy sods
Might try again tomorrow or R and C.

I've had another one of my ideas. Would it be a stupid idea to test cast iron patterns etc with alum pours first?

Stuart

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Well its turns out Foseco isnt open Saturday mornings........ lazy sods
Might try again tomorrow or R and C.

I've had another one of my ideas. Would it be a stupid idea to test cast iron patterns etc with alum pours first?

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

Aluminium will flow differently to cast iron, so probably not worth the trouble, unless you actually wanted the aluminium parts...

Regards
Ray

Hi Ray,
Well fine! there goes yet another cunning plan. The first thing I want to make is a new clamp block for the tailstock on my lathe. Maybe one in Aluminium for practice would be a good idea? but that would mean another crucible. Still that wouldnt be the end of the earth, I'll need one sooner or later anyway.

Just back from R & C, what a helpful bunch of guys*. Went in and had a chat about what I needed and walked out with an A8 crucible and plenty of advice for a whopping $3.84 more than I could have had it delivered for from ebay(and thats if you count GST!, and I dont have to worry about it arriving in more than one piece)
Ebay says its good for 12.5kgs of brass(I thought the guy said more like 15kgs?) either way I'd say thats more than enough to be picking up when white hot.
So thats one more thing ticked off the list.

Now to make some tongs so I can work out the diameter I need the furance to be.

Stuart

*I assume the girl was just as helpful, though she was having lunch so I didnt talk to her lol