Metal Melter

[Onoff]

Could you not have chosen a different colour it looks like you've printed a cow's face out of cow pats

It's meant to enmulate the eventual brass!

 

[galooph]

So where there's muck, there'll be brass

 

[Kram]

Still need to go and buy that investment powder...

Where is the shop and how much is it? Do you know if they do green sand?

Landlord was out but it was raining. Soon stopped, perfect blue sky so I set up the melter at 1.8kw. It seem to take longer than usual but 2.5kw/h's later I had success in two pours, which is all of my prepared fjr1300 engine scrap. More will need to be cut.
Landlord came home sooner than expected, plus it took longer doing the alu, so no brass today. No RCD problems at these temperatures.

Important teat I found the alu is nicely fluid at an indicated 560c below the slag (650-780 Id say) and in daylight, there is very little if any red glow. It was just starting to show barely noticable red at 580c.

From watching Olfoundryman's videos, I know the feeder needs to be the last bit to solidify with sillicon alloys, or there is horrible shrinkage porosity. He uses proper sand moulds and an exothermic powder to keep it hot (low temp thermite?). I used the propane torch. Must get some sand!
@Onoff you might want to watch his videos before using plaster, I think all of the same techniques apply but perhaps less important in brass.

Expected and intended the centre top would shrink. Drilled to check. Its much better than last time.

 

[Onoff]

Where is the shop and how much is it? Do you know if they do green sand?

Biggin Hill:

HS Walsh & Sons | Jewellery Making Supplies, Clock & Watchmakers Tools

H S Walsh & Sons have been a leading supplier of tools, equipment, clock and watch materials to the jewellery and horological trades for 75 years.

www.hswalsh.com

 

[Onoff]

Here we go:

 

[Onoff]

The reality is somewhat less pleasing than the render! The cow needs work...around the eyes maybe?

Maybe it would be better in actual brass?

So close but no banana!

 

[m_c]

The reality is somewhat less pleasing than the render! The cow needs work...around the eyes maybe?



View attachment 334764

Maybe it would be better in actual brass?

So close but no banana!

I think it needs the whole head to stand out more, as at the moment, it blends into the body, so you need to actually look at it to distinguish the head/ears/eyes, not just glance at it.

 

[Onoff]

I think it needs the whole head to stand out more, as at the moment, it blends into the body, so you need to actually look at it to distinguish the head/ears/eyes, not just glance at it.

Yep agreed. I might have a go in clay but I don't have the artistic gene. Autistic in spades but...

 

[m_c]

It may be easier to edit the original photo, and give more contrast between the head and body.
If you can make the contrast greater in the photo, the 3D algorithm should then give more depth between them.

 

[Onoff]

It may be easier to edit the original photo, and give more contrast between the head and body.
If you can make the contrast greater in the photo, the 3D algorithm should then give more depth between them.

If only I knew how! Think there's a Contrast function in Paint Shop Pro 7...

 

[m_c]

If you send me the photo, I'll have a play.

 

[Onoff]

Before I go and buy this can anybody see any issues, right/wrong stuff etc. Plan is make a mould from a 3D print and send to @Kram for when he perfects brass melting:

Pioneer Smoothcast / Classic Investment Powder 5KG Bag - TC0451A

An extra fine investment casting powder, superb for all detail and suitable for all metals especially 18ct and 22ct. gold. This is a 5KG bag (picture for illustrative purposes only). Mixing ratio 40 parts powder to 100 parts water (approx 250g per 100ml). Mixing ratios for specific flask sizes...

www.hswalsh.com

 

[Kram]

Its the right stuff, expensive! Its quite an involved process. I've not used casting plaster but I tried normal plaster years ago. You could probably get away with that. I think the main difference is they add fine sand.

 

[Onoff]

Just been and bought 5kg of investment powder at Walsh's in Biggin Hill. Right on the airport estate. Interesting place, no walk around shop as such but a reception area with a few of their specialist jewellery machines, rock tumblers etc. A nice selection of specialist books on silver smithing, copper enamelling, glass etching etc, some lathe books too.

A tad traumatic buying it with a new guy serving, a slow computer apparently. I was my charming self though in a bit of a rush. Did end up with a "FFS why can't I just pay you some money and take the goods?" comment from me. A nice lady sorted it and £10 including VAT was handed over. It comes in a clear sack, obviously decanted from a larger one. They give you an instruction sheet on A4 which I guess is handy in case the police stop you and ask about the 5kg of white powder on the back seat...

 

[Onoff]

If you send me the photo, I'll have a play.

Cheers for that. I put the PNG you sent in Paint Shop Pro 7 and somehow managed to used a lassoo shaped selection tool around each eye then to colour just that area much lighter with a spray gun icon. There's potential there so will continue to play!

 

[Kram]

Cat people, where can I get bentonite clay cat litter? Wilko list it, annoyingly no stock. Looks like everywhere sells wood pellet or paper types. Catsan is lime and sand, so no good.

 

[Onoff]

I worked last night trying to better define the mouth, nose and ears:

 

[Onoff]

Currently printing this one. Better definition on the cow and some mods to make the rim wider, letters bigger and in turn cow a tad smaller.

The printer is playing silly beggars again. Hanging for no apparent reason.

 

[Onoff]

Cat people, where can I get bentonite clay cat litter? Wilko list it, annoyingly no stock. Looks like everywhere sells wood pellet or paper types. Catsan is lime and sand, so no good.

What about attapulgite instead? A mixture I think of bentonite and Fuller's earth.

Solent Spill Control Absorbent Granules Clay 20L B| at Zoro

Solent Spill Control - Absorbent Granules Clay 20L Bag available at Zoro.co.uk - UK's Leading Supplier of DIY Tools and Supplies'

www.zoro.co.uk

I'm looking into spill control products.

I've some 20 year old spill granules..... somewhere. Don't know what they are though.....will look.

 

[Kram]

Ive just done a zoro order and needed a basket filler!

I went for a run and got this, bloody heavy to run home not sure my backpack would survive so Im walking! Limestone shouldnt be a problem?

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