Help: Casting Aluminium

[djh82uk]

Hey Guys

I have quite a bit of aluminium left over as offcuts from my cnc machine.

I am interested in casting and would like some advice

I presume Sand casting is the easiest for fairly simple parts? (bars etc)

Question is do I go for electric or coal powered. Also does anyone have any links to plans to build a furnace?

Also where to get the insulation etc?

Any one else in the uk doing their own casting?

DJH

[acondit]

I would recommend either electric or propane. I personally use propane. It gives reasonably quick melts with no ashes to dispose. I have plans for an electric furnace but it seemed like a lot more work than my propane furnace.

Sorry I can't help with resources in UK but my burner is basically made from pipe fittings. It uses a TWECO fitting for the burner jet but you can make one from a brass pipe plug. The furnace shell is made from rolled sheet metal. The hardest thing to find may be the insulating material for the furnace.

Take a look at the propane furnace on my website. Also take a look at the furnaces on Cameron McKeown's site. http://home.iprimus.com.au/cmckeown/foundry.htm

Here is a link to plans for a small electric furnace. http://www.dansworkshop.com/Aluminum%20Foundry.shtml


There is also a Yahoo "HomeFoundry" group.

Alan

[djh82uk]

Thanks

Thats great, I will have a look into the info you gave

DJH

[beone]

Google Lindsay Publications and then get Dave Gingery's Foundry book. It's the best place to start.

[mike46]

hi mike here i have a foundry.
the lindsey books are real good they'll tell you how to mix the sand up and to make flask to hold the sand,ect.
i have a pic of my furnaces i made if i new how to upload the pic i would show it to you
ps i love this site learned so much allready let me know

[jhowelb]

I stacked fire brick into a small cube less the top then welded an angle iron frame to hold it together. Two more bricks provide a top, a small gap between them provide an adjustable vent hole.

I used my mill and a hole saw to cut a hole in one of the brick to go into one side, this sized just right to insert the snout of a propane weed burner.

Voilla! Instant furnace, a cast iron pot provides a crucible. Long handle iron spoon for scooping dross, fine grain sand and an assortment of buckets provide molds for my foam patterns.

Cost: less than $50.00 total.
Time invested: one Saturday afternoon.

[debogus]

I learned some about casting hereBackyard metal casting

Noooo not another hobby