So i want to make my own foundry, but i am still contemplating wether i should make it out of refractory bricks or cement. I dont know if there is a big difference. I also need to buy a crucible but i really dont know what size i need as i dont know if it would fit in the foundry im making. Which brings us to how big should i make the foundry? I am planning to make parts and ingots if that helps.

Thank you!

What can be used as a filler material to create inside corner fillets so I don't get a cold shut on a harsh 90 degree corner joining two pieces of foam together with hot glue?

I usually coat the lost foam plug with several layers of watered down wall plaster and let it dry before casting, if that helps.

Been working on a railroad restoration project, wanted to share with y'all.

I'm hoping this is an appropriate question for this group, but I have recently bought a Vevor burnout oven and replaced the electronics with those from my homemade oven. My homemade oven worked fine but the "new" one keeps heating after hitting the set point. I think its the solid state relay, but I can't figure out why it would fail on the new oven and not on the other. Does anyone have any experience with this, or input on what I may be doing wrong? Thanks in advance for any help

Hello, I was contemplating making a foundry, but I was worried about the noise of blowers. Comparatively how loud are they? In addition, what can be done to minimize noise? Thank you.

27.9 lbs pure lead

Hey all. I was looking through old posts and saw a number of recommendations and suggestions for those looking to get into melting and was just looking for some more recent info on beginner and budget-friendly melting pots. I'm looking to melt lead and pewter, possibly even aluminum, copper, and brass down the road.

I'm looking to melt down metals to fill silicon molds that I have made using 3d prints for things such as custom coins and metal reliefs. I would like for it to be propane based in that I am in an apartment and it has to be somewhat contained and compact. Size in the beginning would likely only be around enough lead or pewter to make something perhaps the size of a small dinner plate and maybe 1/2" thick.

Hello everyone!

I apologize in advance if this question is frequently asked, but I searched and didn't find an answer.

I'm a home machinist and I decided to buy an electric melting furnace to recycle primarily aluminum into lathe and CNC stock. For many of my applications the quality and composition aren't hugely important; for those jobs I do have a bunch of high quality round and plate in various grades.

My question is - for lathe stock, I was hoping to find a two-part mold that can produce 100-200mm rod in diameters from 10mm - 30mm, but everything I've found online seems to be targetted more towards small jewelry.

Anyone else in this hobby for a similar purpose with any advice?

Im melting lead for a science fair project. If I do it under a school fune hood which can be closed with little airflow, will that ebsure that theres no harmful fumes. Should I still wear a respirator?

90% copper and 10% aluminium Sanded with 60 - 2000 grit and a lick of metal polish.

Hi everyone! I'm looking for training programs that cover metal foundry techniques, with a focus on aluminum casting. My company make racing motorcycle parts like cylinder heads. My boss wants me to learn about gravity casting, permanent mold casting, and designing both the parts and gating systems to help us move away from costly CNC-machined billet parts.

My company will cover flights and training fees, and my boss especially interested in programs in China or Taiwan because of the number of foundries there. But I'm having trouble finding relevant courses, maybe because I'm not using the right keywords. I also worry that the training might not be available in English.

If they are any recommend training programs or resources that match these criteria, especially with an English option, It would be amazing if the program includes a visit to an operational foundry for hands-on experience. Thank you in advance!

A while back my AC unit locked up.

Instead of paying to have it hauled off, I scrapped it -> https://imgur.com/gallery/8UnspNd

Well, i discovered melting loose shreddings is a slow, and wasteful process.

This week, i built a pneumatic press for fun, and decided to press the aluminum into small pucks, easily loaded into my forge.

https://imgur.com/gallery/0CRnXCI

That is 5 gallons of loose material.. pressed into a handful of cans.

Will be quite a bit easier to melt.

https://imgur.com/a/UvtCICp

Hello!

Which investment caster do you suggest in Mexico? I want to cast consumer goods in 304 stainless steel in volumes of 900-3600 parts per year. I would love to find a caster that also does polishing and if not too much to ask, laser welding.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Ok well it's my first time melting anything. And i have a bunch of key shavings from work as a locksmith. I tried melting them down and all I got was a white powder and green flames, (both of which I googled and im pretty sure I understand) but also the brass never melted. It constantly felt like a powder, maybe a sludge but I'd hesitate to eve cannot it that. I know im pretty sure I over heated it, so that may mean something. Any information I need?

Howdy. Ive been getting into smelting, casting and metal recycling. Eventually I want to work my way into knife and jewelry creation. I recently acquired a Devil Furnace and have been acquiring tools, casts, crucibles and protective equipment.

I'm building an outdoor work area and have been considering a bordered sandbox area for the smelting/casting. The law states I have to have it minimum of 50 ft from my home, which I'm doing, no issues. Any recommendations on this? I'd love to see what some people have done for work areas, containment and ventilation etc.

I was hoping some people can point me in the right direction for good info, maybe some channels or forums for learning about metal compositions, tips for beginners on things like reduction agents, fluxes and safety etc.

Thanks so much! 👍

I’ve been trying to locate someone who can make custom shaped iron molds for Ice Popsicles. I have an upcoming business project and I’m searching for someone who can develop the mold, thanks in advance!

Looking for tips on a platinum furnace - I read to avoid acetylene as a heating source as the carbon can degrade the quality of your platinum.

An electric arc furnace isn’t really an option, I don’t have access to 240v or a high amperage service near my workspace.

And propane won’t cut it for platinum, so does anyone have tips on how to heat a foundry hot enough for high temp metals like platinum?