Houaha Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 i was thinking of melting aluminum and making aluminum plates but what would i use as a mold? could i use a cookie sheet(with sides lol)or would i have to make a mold? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 For your safety, no cookie sheets. Molten metal can be a safety concern. I recommend sand-casting with a two-part upper and lower mold using foundry sand, and not taking any shortcuts on safety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houaha Posted November 16, 2008 Author Share Posted November 16, 2008 just wondering but y can u not use a cookie sheet? just wondering and i cant sand cast i don't have the sand or a 2 part mold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 Molten metal is pretty dangerous. Spatter is a bad thing. Using a mold helps keep things contained and safe. Hopefully, someone with more expertise on casting can explain it better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 You can get sand and make a two part mold it is harder to regrow tissues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houaha Posted November 16, 2008 Author Share Posted November 16, 2008 so far i have been using a cupcake tin to make ingots wouldn't it be the same as that? oh and i always preheat it a bit over my forge before pouring Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlander Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 buddy, read your private messages Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houaha Posted November 16, 2008 Author Share Posted November 16, 2008 just asking to let u know not trying to argue but could you use one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houaha Posted November 16, 2008 Author Share Posted November 16, 2008 theres nothing new there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonEagle Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 Saftey aside, a cookie sheet wouldn't give you the best results. you would need a 2 part mold with a sprue and a runner to account for shrinkage which you would see alot of in the center of the plate if you just used a cookie sheet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petersenj20 Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 If you preheat the sheets there should be no problems with moisture or anything. However, the sheet will most likely flex and deform and you won't be even close to a flat plate. Aluminum has too much surface tension to settle flat in an open mold as is evident by any ingots you have made being somewhat bubbled over. A big reason you use closed molds when making actual items. Getting set up with green sand is fairly easy. Lost foam is a very cheap starter way to make items for the cost of a bag of sand. I don't think you will get the results you are looking for though without a little investment. Believe it or not a hole in the ground can suffice as a mold, again most likely with unsatisfactory results. That's how pig iron got its name. The open molds cut in the sand at the base of the furnace resembled a mother pig and suckling piglets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azIRonSmith Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 When they say hole in the ground, it's not just a pit someone dug. More than likely an explosive splattering of molten aluminum would occur. Any moisture would cause an instant steam explosion. Those pig iron molds were done with very dry sand because of the heat of the giant furnaces being on well before the pour. For safety and speed, just go to your local metal dealer and buy some aluminum plate. You will get exactly what you want in the size you want very easily and safely. You can usually get remnant pieces of aluminum for less than $2 pound. I've even gotten it on sale for < $1 pound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalliferous Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 I'm with azIRonSmith. It'd probably be better all round to buy some aluminum plate and save your Al scraps for other castings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlander Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 buddy, i recommend backyard metalcasting for these questions. you will find people that know a lot about these things there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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