11xray

Frosty, thanks for the heads up on the “at” symbol.

Frosty: The melts are for enjoyment, NOT for scrap value. I’m building a collection that I’ll enjoy. The steam/brass explosion was the result of not sufficiently preheating my cast iron mold. I had a bunch of pencil-eraser sized 3rd degree burns, my Apple Watch was ruined, as my foundry gloves turned out to be crap. For the most part, just very shook up. I wear full protective gear, apron/gloves/face shield, and have a respirator for the more hazardous metals. Anyways, I’m going to fire it up this weekend, despite the propane prices (jeez). I get scrap stators and little motors from scrapping and from friends, dismantle and melt the goods. Thanks for the replies, it does this man good.

Despite being a combat veteran, I have been struggling with my foundry since a brass/steam explosion months ago. Over the last two months, I've managed to fire up the foundry 2 times, and my anxiety was palpable. It's an odd feeling to be THAT shook up by anything at this point in my life, it takes a lot to put me off-balance. Anyways, my scrap collection is brimming and I need to make some ingots. Apologies for limited participation on the forums recently, a few months ago I thought I was ready to get back into it but that wasn't the case. Here's to finishing out 2021 SAFELY and not letting anything stand in the way of a good time. Hope you all are doing well, and thanks for all the information I've learned here. Oh, and ALWAYS preheat your molds thoroughly.

I just want to say that I learned from this post, and appreciate the OP and commenters that contributed.

Thanks, for all the great information. I got the answer to my question.

OK, I’m currently using a monolithic castable refractory, rated to 3000F. I wasn’t differentiating between castable refractory and castable refractory cement.

Well, that’s two opposing opinions. Frosty, do you melt with exposed ceramic blanket?

Just dropping in to say that brass explosion hurts the ears and the pride, but the burns don’t because they’re so deep. But, ow my pride. And bye Apple Watch (I’m such a dum dum sometimes). Great question and overall topic, OP. I enjoyed this read and learned a bit myself.

I’m building a second foundry, and would like some suggestions on cement. What do y’all suggest?

Check out this video, with basic tools you can make a set of tongs. Same set I've been using since I started, and they've not let me down. I have progressed from bolted to welded, added some steel bar for extended handles, other than that mine are exactly as the video shows. The video gives very good instructions for creating the tools.

Anytime, friend.

I’ve definitely had a crucible fail mid-melt. Thank goodness firebrick and kaowool is hardy. Now that you’re definitely cooking with gas, I’d suggest getting a thermometer so you can melt with science instead of instinct. I check temps pretty regularly, and it adds a level of confidence while you’re working. Also, it’ll tell you if the mass of copper is a brief delay because: impatient, or because: this isn’t going to melt and I need to hit the forums again. BTMETER BT-1500 Non-Contact Pyrometer 30:1 Industrial Laser Thermometer Gun, -58℉ to 2732℉ (-50℃ ~ 1500℃)

Oh man, those are AWESOME!!! I love this site. Those skulls are so different from others, I really dig the creativity.

Excellent! Be careful with overheated brass too. Sounds like your problems are resolved with the new regulator. Oh, I generally run 15psi for aluminum, 20-25 for brass, and 25-30 for copper. Copper is as high as I go, as I have no need for melting steel. Also, take it from someone that learned the hard way, always preheat your ingot molds. After a steam explosion and almost losing my eyes, I warn everyone that melts.

Yeah, I haven't gone past 30psi ever. BigStackD is the best, I really enjoy his videos, also ArtByAdrock, they seem to have some affiliation. Anyways, I'll be checking in to see how it's going.