For the Wicked Love of Casting Metal

I did this at  TechShop Menlo Park. http://www.techshop.com

I'll let you into a secret for the magic, alchemical process of melting and pouring metal for numerous types of casting (sand casting, lost wax casting, investment casting, etc.) Pure molten fun!

Please read instructables on safety gear for casting, proper casting tools and how to operate a casting furnace before you get to this one. Do not attempt to do this alone, without proper tools or without thorough understanding of their use. 

Find some aluminum scraps. Cut them down to pieces on the vertical bandsaw with the course aluminum blade. Make sure to wear safety goggles. The crucible is made of either clay graphite like the one we used or silicon carbide to withstand temperature. 

Place molds on either sand or refractory brick so accidental spillage of molten metal doesn't interfere with the tar ground underneath.

Load the crucible into the furnace, I like to give it a base such as a refractory brick. You can use a variety of ways to ignite the fire such as a match or a sparking tool. I prefer a map gas torch to give myself as much space as possible. 

By turning on the motor and opening the air vent lid introduce air making the fire spin around the crucible making it heat evenly. 

Place the lid onto the furnace as shown in picture. Now be patient and observe the molten metal through the peephole on top of the lid. Don't hover and look directly above it, it will burn your face. Peek from the side.

Shut the motor and fire off and get the lid off the same way you put it on. Using proper crucible grabbers pull it out of the furnace and place it in the crucible pick up ring over some sand.

Impurities will collect at the surface of molten metal. Scoop them off with a steal spoon.

Secure the crucible into the ring holder with the security latch, pick up from either side by two people and pour into the molds cavity.

Having fun yet? Let everything cool down well before breaking down.
Refer to the next instructable on how to break the mold, cut off sprues and sand blast and buff your piece.