John Caughey said:

You might want to reduce the size of your junk. ... 

I can't believe Rooster let this statement get by without comment 

John thanks for the info on flux. I will have to get some

Devon Sinsley said:

 

As for stirring what about a stainless steel spoon?

Stainless is all the rage these days!

What the flux!

Flux can be used for seasoning crucibles, keeping materials liquefied for easier pouring, and for removing impurities when refining your metals. ... Simply add them to your melt to draw out impurities and refine your metals.

https://pmcsupplies.com/casting-supplies/casting-fluxes

We used mostly Borax and Boric acid powder... I used boric acid in denatured alcohol for an anti-oxidation coating and Batterns self pickling 

For soldering; 

Works fine with brass and I had it on hand.

Jim Rowson said:

I find this entire topic to invoke a mixture of horror and excitement. And I feel the need to see videos but hope none of them show Devon losing or marring body parts...

 

John: you seem to have an amazing amount of experience in this. Devon: I hope you heed all his safety warnings...

John and I have conversed on this topic many time already. He did this as a profession as a jewelry maker. So I am relying heavily on his experience. As for safety, yes I promise to be as safe as possible. I need to get me a face shield. I have heavy welding gloves. i should consider a leather apron as well.

John Caughey said:

You might want to reduce the size of your junk. ... a 5' section of sewer pipe filled with water and molten metal dripped into it to make 'shot'. Helps to make a uniform melt. Either a quartz or carbon 1/4" rod to stir your melt in the crucible. The carbon rod is good to fish out impurities. Use enough, but of course, not too much, flux. Welders gloves help here....  

Funny you mention that John. I was just looking at making shot. I was thinking that ingots would not be the best plan. So once I fire this furnace up I will take my brass and aluminum and make shot for future pouring. Plus I will have lots of slag initially ass well to deal with.

Flux? For? I have used flux in soldering but what am I using it for in melting and casting? I have not seen that described yet. Fill me in.

As for stirring what about a stainless steel spoon?  Thats what I see almost all these guys using to stir and remove the slag. I have not objections to a quartz or carbon rod where do I get one?

I find this entire topic to invoke a mixture of horror and excitement. And I feel the need to see videos but hope none of them show Devon losing or marring body parts...

John: you seem to have an amazing amount of experience in this. Devon: I hope you heed all his safety warnings...

You might want to reduce the size of your junk. ... a 5' section of sewer pipe filled with water and molten metal dripped into it to make 'shot'. Helps to make a uniform melt. Either a quartz or carbon 1/4" rod to stir your melt in the crucible. The carbon rod is good to fish out impurities. Use enough, but of course, not too much, flux. Welders gloves help here....  

No lead. we proved that.

Now ther is lead in old school brass so even though I am not casting lead, I am. Respirator is a must.

Devon Sinsley said:

Getting closer. I have about 3 pounds of scrap brass. I should be melting and at least sand casting by the weekend. The fling casting will have to wait. To much to buy in that dept yet. Need all the wax and flasks and investment and then there is the matter of a maybe needing a burnout oven. But I am hoping the furnace will double for that. I will be buying some kitty litter and sand this weened to make my green sand. Of course there is still the little matter of the MIK project.

 

 

One nice thing about working for a water utility is the availability of scrap brass.

And Lead ...

Getting closer. I have about 3 pounds of scrap brass. I should be melting and at least sand casting by the weekend. The fling casting will have to wait. To much to buy in that dept yet. Need all the wax and flasks and investment and then there is the matter of a maybe needing a burnout oven. But I am hoping the furnace will double for that. I will be buying some kitty litter and sand this weened to make my green sand. Of course there is still the little matter of the MIK project.

One nice thing about working for a water utility is the availability of scrap brass.

Devon, if your heat with propane and air is not sufficient, look for a DIY burner with additional O2. You will increase the heat to the point where it will cut steel in an appropriate torch.

Devon Sinsley said:

Dan Hilyer said:

I hope you wear something other than your tinfoil hat when you are slinging molten metal around your head.  I can hear the story now .....”hold my beer ... hey, y’all watch this”

Nothing is worth doing if it doesn't require a trip to ER

Well, if this goes bad, you won't have to worry about your brain drain getting stopped up anymore, this is going to burn a large enough hole you could run the Snake River through 

Yes arm extended waist high, don't want a ground strike!

You need a high heat burnout to burn up the ashes, I have no idea if your set up will work. Try it with cheap base metal and see. 

I'd have to look up the numbers, but we took it up to red hot 1800Fs and cast in the 850-900F range... big if.. IIRC

Wear a respirator, that silica can pop with heat...

Yeah the heat source kinda sucks thats why I am building the foundry furnace.

So you use a longer lead on the sling. I saw one video where the length of the lead was about waste high. He put the flask on the ground and was able to stand up fully before whipping it. It then flung basically from ankles to head in a circle off to his side. Does that sound more right.

Also was wondering about burning out wax from the flask. I have seen burnout ovens made from clay pots put on propane camp stoves. I was wondering if my foundry furnace would work. I don't see why not if its hot enough to melt brass is should be hot enough to burn out wax.

Our sling was a lot longer and we used oxy/acet with a rosebud tip, no foot pumping. We cast sterling silver. Oh it was over 40 years ago ...

John did you keep it out in front of you like this guy does?

this doesn't seem so scary if you fling it out in front of you feet to chest level.

When I slung a hand caster, it started near my feet and went up, higher than my head, but not over or around.

Be careful and up your insurance please...

Dan Hilyer said:

I hope you wear something other than your tinfoil hat when you are slinging molten metal around your head.  I can hear the story now .....”hold my beer ... hey, y’all watch this”

Nothing is worth doing if it doesn't require a trip to ER