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| Casting AL molding box |
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| vtsteam:
Thanks Ironman! Hmm, thinking about this -- the need for plates adds a whole new wrinkle to this. If I had lots of aluminum, I guess I could cast plates. But I'm starting to run low, and casting 4 or 6 of these boxes plus the same number of plates is a lot of Al. Maybe all I have. I'm wondering what else could be used for the plates that's easier to come by. I guess plate steel, but 1/4" probably minimum thickness, and I'd have to buy that. Probably $60 for 6 plates. I do have some 1/8" steel plate I could use, but that seems too thin. Too bad concrete spalls with spills, and wood burns. Any other ideas? |
| awemawson:
I just used 20mm shuttering ply, which is the cheapest you can buy, and regard it as expendable. Usually lasts 10-15 pours then goes on the bonfire :) |
| vtsteam:
Thanks Andrew. then that sounds good -- we're speaking of iron pours here just in case you were thinking Al --- but I have unlimited wood supply of any dimension because of the sawmill. Maybe green wood would be better even than dried? I recall something about the old timers using a green oak branch for stirring the melt, and green oak used for skimmers. Maybe I can find that reference -- Terry Aspin? |
| awemawson:
I used the same method for aluminium, brass, bronze, and iron. It's only splashes and drips after all , and they are 'outside' of the critical area anyway (ie outside the cope). I am fortunate that I have a large pile of steel copes and drags in a range of sizes from very small to really quite large, but I reckon when I actually get round to starting up again I'm going to have to sand blast them. They've been stacked outside for six years already :( |
| tekfab:
--- Quote from: vtsteam on August 08, 2013, 09:55:44 AM --- I do have some 1/8" steel plate I could use, but that seems too thin. --- End quote --- Rob made some nice ones out of sheet, looks to be about 1/8, he did add a swage which i guess that apart from stiffening the structure also adds a "retention" hollow for the sand. Mike Edit : Just checked "Beating Steel into Submission" thread and it was 1/8" sheet, sorry i don't know how to do the link thingy :-( |
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