First try at melting metal

[doubleboost]

Hi
This was my first atempt at melting brass
A charcoal fire with a leaf blower forced draught
It was fun but the results were very poor
But it wet my apitite to learn more

Some fire bricks with a clay plant pot in the middle

A welded steel crucible
4 bags of charcoal later

Molten brass

[DaveH]

John,

Does look spectacular.

Why were the results poor, seems bluudy hot to me

Like you say "molten brass" so what's wrong?

DaveH

[doubleboost]

(02-27-2012, 01:18 PM)DaveH Wrote: John,

Does look spectacular.

Why were the results poor, seems bluudy hot to me

Like you say "molten brass" so what's wrong?

DaveH

Dave
The metal was full of impurities
Brass is dirty stuff to start with (if you get it to hot the zink boiles out and is very bad for you)
I only melt bronze now

[rleete]

Did you buy a crucible or make one?

[doubleboost]

(03-04-2012, 12:59 PM)rleete Wrote: Did you buy a crucible or make one?

Hi
That crucible was a made up one
I now use propper ceramic ones (better heat transfer)
John

[Rickabilly]

(02-27-2012, 04:36 PM)doubleboost Wrote: Brass is dirty stuff to start with (if you get it to hot the zink boiles out and is very bad for you)

Surely that just needs a K type thermo couple and and adjustment to blast air? for temperature control, and maybe a lid to keep the ash out of the crucible.

Regards
Rick

[stevec]

Ya, I woulda thunk that a leaf blower would be too much. (not speaking from any vast knowledge base on this subject)

[DaveH]

(09-16-2012, 06:51 AM)stevec Wrote: (not speaking from any vast knowledge base on this subject)

Now that struck me as funny

DaveH

[stevec]

Oh sure Dave, laugh at my expense. At least I've served a purpose.

[DaveH]

(09-16-2012, 07:24 AM)stevec Wrote: Oh sure Dave, laugh at my expense. At least I've served a purpose.

Nah Steve, not laughing at you, laughing with you

It still strikes me as funny

DaveH