3 ms·

I made a flowerpot furnace many years ago. I think maybe this site was the guide. It worked really well. I started off with sand casting and then used the lost

I made a flowerpot furnace many years ago. I think maybe this site was the guide. It worked really well. I started off with sand casting and then used the lost wax method. I cast things like Lego men or chess pieces. I cast a variety of metals, lead (horrible, don't do that), aluminium, copper and this weird aluminium/magnesium mix I obtained from a burnt out car engine block. For the crucible and various components for the furnace I'd make items out of fireclay and fire them first. The blower for the furnace was a vacuum cleaner with a copper pipe attached to the vent. It was a fun project though took quite a bit of time to get the metal up to temperature.

tomcam 3y ago
What did you cast with the aluminium/magnesium mix? Was the origin of the mix an old VW Beetle engine?
- forgotusername6 3y ago
  More lego men. I didn't take much of the engine block. The car had been abandoned and burnt out and the engine had melted and pooled over the road. I don't remember the make. I took pieces that I could scrape up easily. I'm only guessing at magnesium because of the way it reacted when prodded. It would sort of pop and spit when I poked it when molten. I'd be happy to be corrected if someone knew of another metal that would react so violently when exposed to air.
  - tomcam 3y ago
    That must have been fun
quaddo 3y ago
My wife fell in love with metal sculpting years ago, thanks to the local college offerings. Each of her courses exposed her to various approaches, such as welding and bronze casting. Her favorite by far was the once-a-semester iron pour. There are 4 classes total, and you're allowed to take each class a maximum 2 times. So she maxed herself out because she couldn't get enough. There was a road trip one year to another state, a gathering of like minds. It was held at a decommissioned iron foundry / museum. Various people gave talks on their style and techniques, which was super interesting according to my wife. She and the other students (and the instructor) had also brought along the molds they'd been working diligently on (wax filled) so that they could enjoy doing their iron pour onsite. My wife's project was 72 lbs once completed. She said that between the weather (hot and humid), the locale, and the protective gear, she spent a lot of time uncomfortably hot and gritty. And loved every moment. It's her happy place. She almost went with a group to Germany to do something similar; a metal sculpting retreat for a week or so. But the pandemic threw a spanner into that.
- convolvatron 3y ago
  idk where you live, but there are metal artists all over..usually closer than going to another state. they will often work in groups where the space is cheap casting bronze doesn't require much beyond a little propane furnace. if it makes her happy, she should really consider just starting and not waiting for arranged opportunities.
  - voakbasda 3y ago
    Are you in the US? I would love to host a metalcasting group here on my farm, as well as other fun activities like auto repair, lumber milling, and more. However, the potential liability involved with any of those groups has been more than enough to put me off the idea. I have got a working metalcasting foundry in my shop that I would love to share, but the US status quo terrifies me. I do not believe that any amount of insurance would protect me fully in the event something should go horribly wrong. If something landed in court, enforcing even the most ironclad waiver or contract would be a huge and expensive gamble. More power to those willing to burden the risk of losing their home and savings. It is an abject tragedy that this is the way things have gone.
    - convolvatron 3y ago
      I am. and sadly I did just lose a big chunk of savings because of metalwork-related litigation. that doesn't mean I'm going to stop living my life.

tomcam 3y ago

What did you cast with the aluminium/magnesium mix? Was the origin of the mix an old VW Beetle engine?

forgotusername6 3y ago
More lego men. I didn't take much of the engine block. The car had been abandoned and burnt out and the engine had melted and pooled over the road. I don't remember the make. I took pieces that I could scrape up easily. I'm only guessing at magnesium because of the way it reacted when prodded. It would sort of pop and spit when I poked it when molten. I'd be happy to be corrected if someone knew of another metal that would react so violently when exposed to air.
- tomcam 3y ago
  That must have been fun

quaddo 3y ago

My wife fell in love with metal sculpting years ago, thanks to the local college offerings. Each of her courses exposed her to various approaches, such as welding and bronze casting. Her favorite by far was the once-a-semester iron pour. There are 4 classes total, and you're allowed to take each class a maximum 2 times. So she maxed herself out because she couldn't get enough. There was a road trip one year to another state, a gathering of like minds. It was held at a decommissioned iron foundry / museum. Various people gave talks on their style and techniques, which was super interesting according to my wife. She and the other students (and the instructor) had also brought along the molds they'd been working diligently on (wax filled) so that they could enjoy doing their iron pour onsite. My wife's project was 72 lbs once completed. She said that between the weather (hot and humid), the locale, and the protective gear, she spent a lot of time uncomfortably hot and gritty. And loved every moment. It's her happy place. She almost went with a group to Germany to do something similar; a metal sculpting retreat for a week or so. But the pandemic threw a spanner into that.

convolvatron 3y ago
idk where you live, but there are metal artists all over..usually closer than going to another state. they will often work in groups where the space is cheap casting bronze doesn't require much beyond a little propane furnace. if it makes her happy, she should really consider just starting and not waiting for arranged opportunities.
- voakbasda 3y ago
  Are you in the US? I would love to host a metalcasting group here on my farm, as well as other fun activities like auto repair, lumber milling, and more. However, the potential liability involved with any of those groups has been more than enough to put me off the idea. I have got a working metalcasting foundry in my shop that I would love to share, but the US status quo terrifies me. I do not believe that any amount of insurance would protect me fully in the event something should go horribly wrong. If something landed in court, enforcing even the most ironclad waiver or contract would be a huge and expensive gamble. More power to those willing to burden the risk of losing their home and savings. It is an abject tragedy that this is the way things have gone.
  - convolvatron 3y ago
    I am. and sadly I did just lose a big chunk of savings because of metalwork-related litigation. that doesn't mean I'm going to stop living my life.