New Guy
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I was pretty happy with how my coal fired foundry came out. I was able to pour about 15 aluminum mini muffin ingots. I just got about 10 boxes of kinetic sand and look forward to casting something. I plan on trying to melt copper this weekend. Any tips I should know about pouring copper?
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Don't pour it on your foot.Originally Posted by CopperheadDave
I was pretty happy with how my coal fired foundry came out. I was able to pour about 15 aluminum mini muffin ingots. I just got about 10 boxes of kinetic sand and look forward to casting something. I plan on trying to melt copper this weekend. Any tips I should know about pouring copper?
Just kidding. Good luck! Are you just going to pour ingots or do you want to cast decorative items?
New Guy
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I plan on melting down a good bit of copper an aluminum just to get use to the foundry. I would like to eventually make a aluminum bronze hatchet head.
Keeper of the Cooler!
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I like muffins. Not aluminum ones though. Butter won't absorb.
Cool project. Been thinking of doing such myself.
I look forward to seeing future things you make out of it.
Here's a goat, since I've gone several posts without posting one.
Sirscrapalot - Genius is more often found in a cracked pot than in a whole one. - E.B. White
New Guy
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Well I had it blasting wide open with lump charcoal and it got the copper cherry red but just wouldn't melt it. I let it go for 30 minutes with zero success. Any thoughts?
Sledgehammer Enthusiast
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Are you using small pieces of copper wire? Chops work best for melting
think you need more time.. does that have a lid? Blowing a lot of heat out the top.
There ain't nothing wrong with an honest days work. Anyone who says otherwise is a fool.- Old Man
I recall using flux is also needed are you using flux? Mike
"Profit begins when you buy NOT when you sell." {quote passed down to me from a wise man}
Now go beat the copper out of something, Miked
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I am sure you could sell some SMF Goat Ingots there are a few people who like goats... keep the pics going I would like to see the progress as you learn this
Better than the dump!
New Guy
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Yes I had it covered I just took it off to get a picture of the heat it was putting out. I was trying to melt very fine copper wire.
Sledgehammer Enthusiast
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Yup gonna need some flux, how much are you putting in the crucible?
More coal=more heat, let er rip
Last edited by NHscrapman; 03-10-2018 at 02:34 PM.
New Guy
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Hey man thanks for taking the time to pass on the advise....What should I use for flux?
Sledgehammer Enthusiast
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powdered borax or boric acid for copper, brass,gold, silver, will help with the dross as well.
For the aluminum I have heard guys use Morton lite table salt, has to be the lite, never tried it myself.
I just know enough to be dangerous and what little I remember from metal shop, flux will give you less oxidation and a cleaner cast.
New Guy
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I wonder what the borax does to help copper to melt?
Flux keeps the oxygen from the material being heated. Once most metals form a bond with Oxygen the melting point is much much higher.
The "dross" ie crap, dirt etc attaches its sell to the flux so when you scrap off the flux most all the impurities are removed.
Prepare your molds before you pore the molten metal. Do some reading at places where folks do this a lot. I do recall preparing a mold included heating the mold and putting oil in the mold. The oil will form a carbon coat making removal of the casting easier. Pore the molten metal before the mold cools 73, Mike
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