| The Shop > Metal Stuff |
| Green Twin Oscillator Cast/Build |
| << < (5/13) > >> |
| MetalCaster:
A seemingly maze of hoses for the burner, but well worth the trouble to get such performance. |
| MetalCaster:
This cast iron pour was the flywheel for the green twin. The sprue, runners, gates, etc. are very sloppy and not necessarily the way they should be optimally, but I did not expect a successful pour anyway, it was all just to see if I could actually melt gray cast iron. The surface finish varied a bit from top to bottom, not sure what that was about, and I can't remember which surface was better, maybe it is apparent in the photos. |
| MetalCaster:
And here is the machined rim face. Not too bad other than the sand inclusions on the back, which I think is a problem that can easily be resolved by not using Petrobond. And better than I thought I would get for a first attempt at iron. No hard spots, surface easily cut with carbide bit, no hard inclusions. The 100 dollar question will be "can I repeat this?". |
| MetalCaster:
The local metal museum uses both water and resin-based self-hardening sand systems, with a manufactured fine round grain sand. I decided to try the manufactured sand and the resin system. The resin system has fumes that you do not want to breathe for any reason. So this is as far as I got, and I can't even remember how long ago this was, perhaps a year or more, when the big work project started and the green twin project came to a screeching halt. Hopefully we can get this project underway very soon, and stop taking about casting, and actually cast some metal. Below is the river sand available in abundance around here, and the lighter colored manufactured sand. The fine sand and binder system will require careful venting, since the permeability of the sand/binder mix will be low. The local metal museum used this sand and binder with great success, so I have full confidence in it once I get through the learning curve. |
| MetalCaster:
And a cupolet cast iron pour at the local metal museum a few weeks ago. The iron was really flying, it was very interesting to watch. They have guys working there who use to work in foundries, and I pick those guys brains every chance I get, its an invaluable resource. Videos here: They poured several hundred pounds of cast iron the other day at the museum. All using old radiator material. No sign of gassing in any of the castings. They do use an additive, but that is to add fluidity to the pour, since all their work is ornamental in nature. I need machinability above all else, so I don't use any additive, but I did not have any problems with fluidity. I think the ladels they are are insulating, since they seemed to stand around using the aditive, stirring, and skimming for a long time before pouring, and still the metal pours like ice tea. Well, until I can get out and cast again, that is all I have for now. Happy casting folks. |
| Navigation |
| Message Index |
| Next page |
| Previous page |