Needs Pictures: 0
Picture(s) thanks: 0
Results 1 to 13 of 13
Thread: Cutting Ingots down to size
-
17th Apr 2021, 07:40 PM #1Novice
- Join Date
- Apr 2021
- Location
- UK
- Age
- 42
- Posts
- 11
Cutting Ingots down to size
I bought 7kg of Bronze (3% silicone) recently. It arrived as a single ingot. It's far too large to fit any of my crucibles, so I need to cut it somehow. It's too thick to saw by hand. My only other cutting tools are a Dremel (too small) and an angle grinder (which I've never used). Do you think I would be able to cut it with the grinder? The ingot is quite thick and I'm concerned about being able to cut deep enough, safely, and minimising waste.
What are the usual methods of cutting ingots? I'm having a hard time finding any information about this. I don't have the money to go out and buy an expensive machine that would have no use to me beyond this one purpose, but I'm open to other solutions.
-
17th Apr 2021, 08:19 PM #2Member: Blue and white apron brigade
- Join Date
- Feb 2006
- Location
- Perth
- Posts
- 7,189
7kg of bronze is about 1000 cubic cm
If it was a cube it would be 10 x 10 x 10 cm or 4 x 4 x 4 inches which is not that big
If it was 4 x 8 inches then it would be 2" thick.
Sounds like a job for a metal bandsaw but it would not be impossible to cut with a hand hack saw with a brand new blade.
It could also be cut with a woodwork table saw with a negative raked cutting blade but if the cut was through 10 x 10 cm section you would lose 30 cc of bronze swarf in that cut
Exactly what shape is it?
-
17th Apr 2021, 08:27 PM #3Novice
- Join Date
- Apr 2021
- Location
- UK
- Age
- 42
- Posts
- 11
-
17th Apr 2021, 08:44 PM #4Member: Blue and white apron brigade
- Join Date
- Feb 2006
- Location
- Perth
- Posts
- 7,189
If it was triangular with an 8cm base and a 6cm heigh then the volume would be 1/2base x height or 4 x 6 x 26 = 624 cc x 7.6 g/cc = 4.7 kg
If it was fully rectangular is would be 6 x 8 x 26 = 1248 cc and would be 9.4 kg so your 7 kg sounds correct.
If it was me and I had nothing else I would use a hacksaw a a bit of patience - get a new blade.
If you want to spend minimum $ and have a friend with a wood work table saw spend $50 of a metal cutting blade (like I said before you will wast a fair bit as those blades have a wide kerf)
Thin cutting wheel in an angle grinder might just gum up - worth a try though.
You need a frown with a metal working bandsaw (WW bandsaw will be too fast).
-
17th Apr 2021, 09:36 PM #5Pink 10EE owner
- Join Date
- Aug 2008
- Location
- near Rockhampton
- Posts
- 6,218
Maybe cut through a bit with a hacksaw and use a cold chisel.
Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.
-
17th Apr 2021, 11:56 PM #6I break stuff...
- Join Date
- Aug 2010
- Location
- Toorloo Arm, VIC
- Age
- 39
- Posts
- 1,294
-
18th Apr 2021, 10:30 AM #7
It's not too thick to cut by hand.
Use a hacksaw with plenty of smoko/stubby breaks.
-
18th Apr 2021, 11:12 AM #8Senior Member
- Join Date
- Apr 2018
- Location
- Perth
- Posts
- 168
What about a sharpened chisel like a brickies bolster and a heavy gympie hammer on a solid base like a anvil . Bronze is fairly brittle so may break up.
-
18th Apr 2021, 11:29 AM #9Member: Blue and white apron brigade
- Join Date
- Feb 2006
- Location
- Perth
- Posts
- 7,189
Sharp edge and a press might also work.
-
19th Apr 2021, 04:58 PM #10Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Nov 2017
- Location
- Geelong, Australia
- Age
- 57
- Posts
- 2,669
Drill a line of holes across it and then smack it with a FBH.
You can keep the swarf so no wastage.
Steve
-
24th Apr 2021, 01:29 AM #11
Take to it with an axe
....................................................................
-
25th Apr 2021, 10:17 PM #12Novice
- Join Date
- Apr 2021
- Location
- UK
- Age
- 42
- Posts
- 11
Managed to cut it into four pieces. A hacksaw did the job. It took around an hour of sawing for each cut. I have a nice pot of bronze powder to show for it. Enough for a small resin cold cast.
-
26th Apr 2021, 07:51 AM #13
An hour a cut?
But how many stubbies?
Similar Threads
-
Source of Aluminium ingots
By Ueee in forum THE FOUNDRYReplies: 10Last Post: 30th Oct 2015, 12:03 AM -
BOC LPG cutting nozzle size??
By hitachi230 in forum WELDINGReplies: 3Last Post: 12th May 2015, 02:13 PM -
Plasma cutting capacity or waterjet cutting connections?
By jhovel in forum METALWORK GENERALReplies: 25Last Post: 4th Apr 2014, 11:06 AM -
Guide to size of electrode and bead size
By Tiger in forum WELDINGReplies: 4Last Post: 10th Jul 2009, 11:45 AM