MKB Forum

General MKB => Projects => Topic started by: Roadkill on November 11, 2014, 02:38:33 pm

Title: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: Roadkill on November 11, 2014, 02:38:33 pm: Home Casting !!! (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/beavisnbutthead.gif)

I've always been fascinated with casting . . . the extreme heating of metal to turn it into liquid and make something from it . . that's grade "A" awesome, if you ask me.

I first considered this a couple of years ago when first pondering over the Caddy intake.

I found this :

http://www.instructables.com/id/Quick-cheap-and-dirty-aluminum-melting-furnace-s/

. . And then found it again recently as I'm looking to cast some ally breathers for the PCV system on the Caddy motor . . I'm also planning some cast lids to go on top of the ally intake to space the carbs correctly.

The link above is pretty cool, but the author states - unsurprisingly - that the sheet-metal tins fall apart after a few casts.

Further inspired by Art's recent Propane tank burner post I'm reckoning using a 47kg Propane tank as the burner, with an old CO2 fire extinguisher as the crucible.

All pretty cheap, but certainly heavy duty stuff so far.

I'd also need some tube/pipe (free from the workshop) and a raised plate for the coals at the bottom and a breather lid for the top (cheap 6mm plate).

And a hair dryer (Ooh, Sammy . . ) (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/lol.gif)

Once I've got a rig that works, I'll start worrying about the molds and sand.

(http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/up.gif)
Title: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: art b on November 11, 2014, 03:13:14 pm: looking forward to it (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/up.gif)
Title: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: Roadkill on November 11, 2014, 04:01:08 pm: Gonna start saving up my coke cans. (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/rofls.gif)
Title: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: ianjpage on November 11, 2014, 06:18:11 pm: oh dear this could end badly LOL!

be interesting to see the results though!
Title: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: Cunning Plan on November 11, 2014, 07:03:39 pm: Quoting: ianjpage
be interesting to see the results though!

(http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/plusone.gif)
Title: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: FUBAR on November 11, 2014, 07:24:49 pm: Quoting: Roadkill
Gonna start saving up my coke cans.

Do you actually seriously mean this? if so I'll get the Pub to start stockpiling if you like?
Title: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: art b on November 11, 2014, 09:47:47 pm: Quoting: FUBAR
Do you actually seriously mean this? if so I'll get the Pub to start stockpiling if you like?

(http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/beavisnbutthead.gif) recycling at its best (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/up.gif)
Title: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: art b on November 11, 2014, 09:48:28 pm: Quoting: ianjpage
oh dear this could end badly LOL!

how hard can it be.....(http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/rofls.gif)
Title: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: Big Mouse on November 11, 2014, 10:49:26 pm: Quoting: Roadkill
with an old CO2 fire extinguisher as the crucible.

which I just happen to have lying around in my (nearly clear) garage having used it to make dry ice smoke for halloween
Title: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: art b on November 11, 2014, 11:06:52 pm: Quoting: Big Mouse
which I just happen to have lying around in my (nearly clear) garage having used it to make dry ice smoke for halloween

hopefully a steel one ...(http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/chiny.gif)
Title: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: Big Mouse on November 12, 2014, 08:25:28 pm: Quoting: art b
hopefully a steel one

I'll have a look
Title: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: art b on November 12, 2014, 11:33:32 pm: ive been using ,
instructables .com too.....(http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/up.gif)
Title: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: Roadkill on November 13, 2014, 12:13:12 am: Cheers, but I got my hands on a full CO2 extinguisher today and had great pleasure in freezing some weeds on site before shattering them with a flick.

(http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/beavisnbutthead.gif)

And no, I'll probably steal ally off cuts from the workshop as the quality will be better and it'll just be easier.

(http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/up.gif)

Ian, has that big gas cylinder still got gas in it or is it dead ?

(http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/chiny.gif)

EDIT

Actually, Art, you've got a point about the material .... It probably is an aluminium alloy of some sort ....

(http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/chiny.gif)
Title: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: Cunning Plan on January 21, 2015, 06:42:42 pm: http://lifehacker.com/make-a-mini-foundry-for-cheap-that-can-melt-soda-cans-1680040014

Now I want one (http://www.mkb.cc/forum/smileys/chiny.gif)
Title: Re: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: Roadkill on July 21, 2015, 10:13:33 am: This project is linked to the Caddy project, really, so will progress slowly over time.

Minor update though, having secured a 47kg Gas cylinder (thanks Graeme / Ian) myself and Ian wrestled with it on Sunday to remove the valve (after it was emptied) and it's now sat, full of water until I'm ready to cut it down to the size I need.

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c307/Roadkill-Auto/Mini%20Projects/IMAG1839_zps6xjb9shz.jpg) (http://s30.photobucket.com/user/Roadkill-Auto/media/Mini%20Projects/IMAG1839_zps6xjb9shz.jpg.html)
Title: Re: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: Cunning Plan on July 21, 2015, 03:44:17 pm: Good :up:

What will you be using to melt? :pass:
Title: Re: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: Roadkill on July 23, 2015, 02:51:35 pm: Quote from: Cunning Plan on July 21, 2015, 03:44:17 pm
What will you be using to melt? :pass:

Aluminium.

The plan is to cast a lid for the intake on the Caddy.
Title: Re: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: Roadkill on October 23, 2015, 07:56:35 pm: Hey, it ain't a massive update but it's progress !!!

Gas bottle cut down to size (and currently being stored at work 'cos it f**king stinks !!!

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c307/Roadkill-Auto/Mini%20Projects/IMAG1924_zps95y3zcqg.jpg) (http://s30.photobucket.com/user/Roadkill-Auto/media/Mini%20Projects/IMAG1924_zps95y3zcqg.jpg.html)

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c307/Roadkill-Auto/Mini%20Projects/IMAG1925_zpszx5cdhbk.jpg) (http://s30.photobucket.com/user/Roadkill-Auto/media/Mini%20Projects/IMAG1925_zpszx5cdhbk.jpg.html)
Title: Re: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: ianjpage on October 23, 2015, 08:56:30 pm: interesting to see inside it, looks alsmost 'burnt' inside...wierd!
Title: Re: A new and suitably stupid project . . .
Post by: Cunning Plan on October 26, 2015, 09:05:59 am: Quote from: Cunning Plan on July 21, 2015, 03:44:17 pm
What will you be using to melt?

Quote from: Roadkill on July 23, 2015, 02:51:35 pm
Aluminium.

Yah, I meant, where from? :P