Metal Melter

[Kram]

Well the nose hair removal was bloody brilliant, but starting to grow back

Casting, havent fired it up since before Onoff's visit but, having got vac chamber just about working, couple of improvements to do tomorrow, the plan is to get the plaster, and a cow casting done early this week.

 

[Onoff]

Does the perlite etc absorb moisture over time i.e when the furnace isn't being used?

 

[Kram]

Shouldnt be a problem as there are plenty of cracks for it to escape, cruicible would be more of a risk so it will get a slow warm held around 100c to start.

 

[Kram]

Made some progress, couple of posts in SYHMT..
Plaster

Stuff you have made today

I'd expect them to dry out and crack, not ideal for working with food? :dontknow: You lot are a tough crowd to please. :D

www.mig-welding.co.uk

Burnout

Stuff you have made today

What’s the benefit of nitrogen over normal air? Better cut quality for aluminium and stainless. How much better I have no idea as I have never used it.

www.mig-welding.co.uk

And the cast

Stuff you have made today

Back at this place so grabbed some pics. Aged well over the last 12 months. Aged well or well aged?

www.mig-welding.co.uk

This was Wednesdays attempt. Neither brass or plaster was hot enough to flow nicely. The plaster had not got into the text properly either - "The" at the top completely missing and the C for cattle.

Next attempt I will have the mould without any runners, then it will be open and I can check it after burn out. I'll do the runners in sand with the cow face up. I might push a spare outer ring into the sand and make it double thickness (to be sanded or turned off) to help the brass flow.

The main problem was as it started to rain, I turned the heat up, split slag, popped the element and had to pour early.

 

[Onoff]

Made some progress, couple of posts in SYHMT..
Plaster

Stuff you have made today

I'd expect them to dry out and crack, not ideal for working with food? :dontknow: You lot are a tough crowd to please. :D

www.mig-welding.co.uk

Burnout

Stuff you have made today

What’s the benefit of nitrogen over normal air? Better cut quality for aluminium and stainless. How much better I have no idea as I have never used it.

www.mig-welding.co.uk

And the cast

Stuff you have made today

Back at this place so grabbed some pics. Aged well over the last 12 months. Aged well or well aged?

www.mig-welding.co.uk

This was Wednesdays attempt. Neither brass or plaster was hot enough to flow nicely. The plaster had not got into the text properly either - "The" at the top completely missing and the C for cattle.

Next attempt I will have the mould without any runners, then it will be open and I can check it after burn out. I'll do the runners in sand with the cow face up. I might push a spare outer ring into the sand and make it double thickness (to be sanded or turned off) to help the brass flow.

The main problem was as it started to rain, I turned the heat up, split slag, popped the element and had to pour early.

Not sure how I missed the plaster and casting posts? Duly liked anyway!

Do you think the PLA is burning out completely or would wax be better?

 

[Kram]

Im happy with the burnout but next time I'll start at 180-200c and try to retrieve the molten plastic to avoid smoke before going hotter.

Worked out the main problem - the text is too deep for the brass thickness, and the thin section is sucking heat out of the brass.
Problems solved, I'll try another attempt this week!

 

[Onoff]

Im happy with the burnout but next time I'll start at 180-200c and try to retrieve the molten plastic to avoid smoke before going hotter.

Worked out the main problem - the text is too deep for the brass thickness, and the thin section is sucking heat out of the brass.
Problems solved, I'll try another attempt this week!

Can always print a couple with a thicker base here and pop in the post?

Btw, are you intending to melt down the first attempt or keep it?

 

[Kram]

I wasnt planning to melt it, plenty of brass left.

The base thickness I can do that easily enough.

Also there is a bump/print swirl/wart on the cows nose, is that intended? as it came out exactly in the brass. Im quite pleased its catching the details.

 

[Onoff]

I wasnt planning to melt it, plenty of brass left.

The base thickness I can do that easily enough.

Also there is a bump/print swirl/wart on the cows nose, is that intended? as it came out exactly in the brass. Im quite pleased its catching the details.

Plenty of clean brass still here. I'm about to weigh in a load of assorted "dirty"brass as an aside.

Both the landlady and her daughter were impressed with the cow detail on the first one when I popped in Thursday night. Here the original ornament on the left and one of the very early meshes from the photogrammetry experiments:

Leave the nose as is imo, it points to it's origins, the 3D printing etc.

Looking in "the box of cows" here and the base thickness looks just about right as is, akin to the real things. How thick were you thinking to make it? As a little historical titbit, they moved away from casting to stamping the brasses at one time. Ostensibly to save on the weight the poor horses had to carry, it also cost less and was easier to mass produce.

It doesn't really matter tbh but just because it's you, I'm quite prepared to go back up the pub a little later and double check...

 

[Kram]

How thick were you thinking to make it?

About double. Do you want the back to be the as-cast finish, or can I turn/sand it to the original thickness?

I've been delegated to do DIY today, moving heaters and decorating. Hope to mess about with furnace tomorrow.

 

[Onoff]

About double. Do you want the back to be the as-cast finish, or can I turn/sand it to the original thickness?

That'll work. As cast is good. I love the idea that every cast is unique. Tbh I've just made an investigative trip up there and the backs are about as thin as the 3D prints. See below:

OK, I couldn't be ar5ed moving as I was comfy!

 

[Onoff]

Some gals have all the luck!

Walking home from the pub and I passed my niece's place. Unloading this that she'd been given!

 

[Kram]

That is a nice find! How big is it? Will it be used for the intended purpose or melting stuff?

 

[Onoff]

That is a nice find! How big is it? Will it be used for the intended purpose or melting stuff?

Big. I reckon she'll flog it on tbh

 

[Kram]

Big is good

I stripped my burnt element out, Im half tempted to make the V2 pot next instead of just swapping element. Both the spares I have are the right length for V2. The old pot is cracked into segments like a pizza but they are actually resonably secure.

Do you think yours would fit the v2 pot, about 200mm diameter? It may help to fire it properly

2 element failures have been spilling slag, rather than burning them out. One was overheating from excess clay..

You can see why it failed, big puddle of brass down there, but it popped in two places. Didnt see the first but second made a nice blue glow.

 

[Onoff]

Do you think yours would fit the v2 pot

You misunderstand. It's not mine. I imagine she will sell it on as soon as she can.

 

[500e]

Wont she give it to her poor old uncle

 

[Onoff]

Wont she give it to her poor old uncle

Erm...you might want to rephrase that...

 

[500e]

It's the company I keep

 

[Kram]

Looks like the spare 2.5kw elements no longer fit the furnace slot, it has shrunk! Too powerful anyway.
Ordered some (220v) 1.5kw, smaller diameter ones, still too much power but they should fit.

Trying to smooth off the 3d printed pot/element former, made a big mess with the wax. Im thinking its a mistake and paint or filler might have been a better idea