Smelt metals
by nbear1
DIY Projects Journey Overview
Follow this step-by-step diy projects journey to see real progress updates, challenges overcome, and practical experience.
Progress Updates (5 total)
Update #1: Smelt metals
Build a smelter that can liquify metals then cast them!
Update #2: Purchased a smelter and prepped it
Got a smelter and coated the kao-wool with the refractory
Update #3: Made some tongs
Made tongs for use with the small crucibles I got.
Update #4: Smelted metals like a boss
I collected a bunch of scrap aluminum and copper from work and then got to smelting
Update #5: Completed Project!
100% completeTechnically speaking I'e accomplished my goal of smelting metals. Future goals should branch from this goal completion as there is much more to do with this project.
Challenges Overcome: I've completed the stated goal of smelting metals. To date I've smelted ~10 KG of aluminum and maybe another ~5 KG of copper.
Obstacles Faced: Currently I face the obstacle of my own inexperience and intimidation of failure when working with new metals. I would love to try my hand at casting bronze, zinc, silver, and gold. All of these are more difficult than the Al and Cu I've smelted thus far.
Looking Back: I would tell myself to just go out and do it. Work on making a good box for sand casting and practice making sand molds.
Additional Notes: I'd give a lot of credit to a youtube channel called BigstackD Casting. his videos were a huge inspiration to me and I got some good tips and tricks from watching his content.
Discussion: If anyone else is interested in smelting projects reach out and we can collaborate! I have some tips I could share and can provide examples from my progress.