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Gyrogearhead wrote:P.S. How do you guys get bigger pictures in your postings?

Gyrogearhead wrote:

Dave2 wrote:Speaking of smelting range scrap... does anyone know how hard it is to melt down metal shavings into useful metal bars? I keep thinking about getting one of those computerized milling machines... I know what I'd do about wood scrap, but metal is probably too valuable to just throw away the leftovers.

Hi Dave,

Andy is right, it depends upon which metal you want to melt.

For Aluminum you can use pretty much the same gear as for lead. The melting temp is just a bit higher but if you're thinking of melting brass, iron or steel it's a whole 'nother ball game. The melting temps are in the 3,000 degree F range and you must use a graphite crucible and a high temperature furnace. You also need specialized handling equipment that keeps you a safe distance away from the hot crucible during the melting and pouring operation.

There's a lot of info on the web; just google "amateur foundery" or "home foundry" and you'll get an idea of what other people have done in terms of metal casting at home.

Also look at jewelery making sites as the equipment and techniques used for gold and silver are the same as you would use in making small brass or iron parts. If you are wanting to cast items bigger than your fist then you are talking industrial scale gear. But it should be noted that resoursefull amateurs have been casting 100# iron items in their backyards for centuries. All it takes is a lot of "want to" or money or both. Money just makes the process quicker.

Gerry

AndyC wrote:I can't afford a thermometer yet, and I'm still getting used to how hot my new burner actually gets. I said that I know it's too hot - is that all right with you?