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Re: DC stick = easiest aluminum casting ever

Aluminum often requires a heat treatment to bring it back to strength. But like any casting, it can only be as strong as the materials used, and quality of the casting.

Re: DC stick = easiest aluminum casting ever

What would the strength of this aluminium be. Just the same as its original form?

Re: DC stick = easiest aluminum casting ever

Hi, years ago around '75, we used to melt aluminium in a steel ladle with a propane torch.....the ladle was the type used for melting lead etc, and held about a litre of alluminium.

The furnace was a collection of fire bricks arranged around the ladle and the propane torch fired in one side and exhausted out the top.

People say that aluminium does not cast well melted in a steel crucible, but we made many aluminium hammers for the shop and cast them also in a split steel mould......I still have one that I use on the mill for setting up etc.

Then 10 years ago I melted aluminium in a steel pot using hardwood in a furnace made from a 25 litre drum lined with fire brick.

The aluminium was scrap offcuts from rolled plate stuff with some chippings from the lathe added too.
Ian.

Re: DC stick = easiest aluminum casting ever

Originally Posted by drujinin

Where does a person get graphite crucibles?

I got mine on flea bay. Aliexpress also has 'em.

Re: DC stick = easiest aluminum casting ever

I saw this the other day... I'm definitely going to try it.

Re: DC stick = easiest aluminum casting ever

Jewelry supply houses or casting suppliers have them available. Also check art supply places.


Quick one I pulled off my saved list when I was thinking about making a gas fired furnace to cast alum. I may have other suppliers on my other computer.

http://www.budgetcastingsupply.com/F...les-s/1830.htm

Re: DC stick = easiest aluminum casting ever

Where does a person get graphite crucibles?

Re: DC stick = easiest aluminum casting ever

Basically a miniature version of an electric arc furnace like they use to melt steel. ( I can't find the really good video some one here posted up a while back.)

Re: DC stick = easiest aluminum casting ever

Originally Posted by superUnknown

The dye in the sand has turned grey, but otherwise flows the same as before.

Cool! I will have to try this!

Re: DC stick = easiest aluminum casting ever

Originally Posted by Sheyda36

Did the sand return to its original state after it cooled down? Just want to know if it would be reusable.

The dye in the sand has turned grey, but otherwise flows the same as before.

Re: DC stick = easiest aluminum casting ever

Wow!!! That is incredible. I doubt I'll ever have reason to use that, but I have some carbon rods laying on the shelf

Re: DC stick = easiest aluminum casting ever

I found this very interesting

Would it have been easier to use an AC welder and two carbon arc rods?
Basically the old carbon arc torch used to heat bolts and such.

If you did this you'd have a nice steady arc that wouldn't go out.

Your video led me to look up this DIY crucible process.

Re: DC stick = easiest aluminum casting ever

superuk; very cool. btw, loved the interruption during the narration.

Re: DC stick = easiest aluminum casting ever

Did the sand return to its original state after it cooled down? Just want to know if it would be reusable.

Oh! Awesome idea by the way! Has some potential, I just happen to have some kinetic sand, a dc stick welder and some scrap aluminium... Hmmm... Off to the LWS to grab some carbon gouging rods!

DC stick = easiest aluminum casting ever

This is so simple it may blow your mind. I'm using a DC arc welder, a graphite crucible and kinetic sand (it's a kids toy) to cast aluminum parts.