Author Topic: Aluminium Conversion  (Read 7629 times)

Offline ausdier

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Aluminium Conversion
« on: August 10, 2014, 10:37:04 AM »
Not much of a casting project just trying to save a bit of room and do a bit of cleaning.
I have been collecting anything and everything ally to be used at some later date to start casting some engines and other things.
So over the past couple of days I have melted most of my stock pile down to ingots.
This has burnt off all the rubbish and reduced the overall size.
It has also given me a good selection of different ally to be able cast with the detail required at the time.
Still looking for material (as always) to add to my stash, so if local call me .
If you are wondering what the codes on the ingots are, they are as follows.
AC = Ally cans.
WL = Car Ally Wheels.
EX = Anything Extruded.
EC = Engine Components. (Heads, Covers, mounts and crank cases etc, so long as they are cast)
? = Some mystery ally that was a first attempt by a friend.
I also number them and put the weight on them.
All up I have a little over 260kg (573lb) in total and a bit more to go another day.
Once I get a bit more room and setup it should be full steam ahead or maybe full IC ahead.
Cheers.

Offline DavidA

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Re: Aluminium Conversion
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2014, 11:14:19 AM »
Looks nice and organised.  Much better than a large pile of old scrap.

Dave.

Offline philf

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Re: Aluminium Conversion
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2014, 02:51:44 PM »
I also number them and put the weight on them.

Ausdier,

Ingot 26 AC must be a super-lightweight alloy if it only weighs 100g!

What fuel have you used to melt it all?

Phil.
Phil Fern
Location: Marple, Cheshire

Offline ausdier

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Re: Aluminium Conversion
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2014, 11:08:38 PM »
Yes Dave it was a big pile of dirty greasy bits and pieces but now it is a nice clean shinny stack. :clap: :clap: :clap:

 :Doh: Sorry Phil, that should be 1000g  :D
All this was melted with LPG from a 9l bottle.
Have it set to get to and hold about 660c to 680c so as to not overheat the metal.

Offline Meldonmech

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Re: Aluminium Conversion
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2014, 02:57:02 AM »

        You have a nice stockpile there, shouldn't  run out during a casting run.

                                                                         Cheers David

Offline vtsteam

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Re: Aluminium Conversion
« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2014, 09:51:51 PM »
I'm getting alumin(i)um envy!  :drool:
I love it when a Plan B comes together!
Steve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sDubB0-REg

Offline ausdier

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Re: Aluminium Conversion
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2014, 08:01:35 AM »
Hey David, I hope I don't run out, just depends on the size and quantity I try and do.
So always on the lookout for more scrap

Don't get to envious Steve, it would be better in a cast form of a nice V8 engine.
By the way how have you gone in casting Cast Iron?

Offline awemawson

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Re: Aluminium Conversion
« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2014, 08:24:54 AM »
I ended up with a huge pile of aluminium alloy, copper and brass ingots at my last place before I moved. It was going to be a pain to pack - several more pallets to add to my already hard enough machinery move. Realising it would be ages before I got the foundry back together (still haven't) I took it to the scrap merchant and walked away with a tidy sum. My logic was that when I'm back up and running I'll buy known material rather as NormanV has been doing for his milling machine
Andrew Mawson
East Sussex

Offline ausdier

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Re: Aluminium Conversion
« Reply #8 on: August 12, 2014, 08:38:30 AM »
I am waiting until I get some real crucibles before I melt my copper and brass/bronze.
I am doing all my ally in a homemade steel pot at the moment, it holds about 12kg of ally.

Offline vtsteam

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Re: Aluminium Conversion
« Reply #9 on: August 12, 2014, 08:51:18 AM »
ausdier, I'm sure you'll do that block when you're ready. :dremel:

I haven't cast iron this summer (yet) -- haven't had the need so far.  I've been exploring the other end of the spectrum -- zinc alloy. Maybe I'll get in one more iron project before cold weather.
I love it when a Plan B comes together!
Steve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sDubB0-REg

Offline DavidA

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Re: Aluminium Conversion
« Reply #10 on: August 12, 2014, 02:36:17 PM »
Well, I retire again on Friday.  So I hope to be putting that insulation  got from Norman to good use and building my first furnace.

Reading all this foundry stuff makes me itch to get on with it.

Dave.

Offline ausdier

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Re: Aluminium Conversion
« Reply #11 on: August 13, 2014, 08:52:58 AM »
Well come on Dave, lets see a good furnace build log with lots of pictures and info.  :D