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+--- Thread: First try at melting metal (/thread-92.html)
First try at melting metal - doubleboost - 02-26-2012
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
![[Image: 056.jpg]](http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii63/john970s0/056.jpg)
Some fire bricks with a clay plant pot in the middle
![[Image: 058.jpg]](http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii63/john970s0/058.jpg)
A welded steel crucible
4 bags of charcoal later
![[Image: 065.jpg]](http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii63/john970s0/065.jpg)
Molten brass
RE: First try at melting metal - DaveH - 02-27-2012
John,
Does look spectacular.
Why were the results poor, seems bluudy hot to me
Like you say "molten brass" so what's wrong?
DaveH
RE: First try at melting metal - doubleboost - 02-27-2012
(02-27-2012, 01:18 PM)DaveH Wrote: John,Dave
Does look spectacular.
Why were the results poor, seems bluudy hot to me
Like you say "molten brass" so what's wrong?
DaveH
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
RE: First try at melting metal - rleete - 03-04-2012
Did you buy a crucible or make one?
RE: First try at melting metal - doubleboost - 03-04-2012
(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
RE: First try at melting metal - Rickabilly - 09-16-2012
(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
RE: First try at melting metal - stevec - 09-16-2012
Ya, I woulda thunk that a leaf blower would be too much. (not speaking from any vast knowledge base on this subject
)
RE: First try at melting metal - DaveH - 09-16-2012
(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
RE: First try at melting metal - stevec - 09-16-2012
Oh sure Dave, laugh at my expense. At least I've served a purpose.
RE: First try at melting metal - DaveH - 09-16-2012
(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