wrote in message
oups.com...
I'm new to this, so forgive me if this is a stupid question:
Can I cast 316 stainless steel using an oxy-acy torch? I'm making very
small parts and am expecting to do some machining after casting. I was
thinking of just heating up a small 1"x2"x1/4" peice and meting it,
then pouring it into an open greensand indentaion of the shape I want.
Is that possible - do I need to use any kind of flux? What sort of
problems can I expect to have to deal with?
Any suggestions appreciated.

It's my opinion that you'll have no success at all. Melting stainless
requires that you protect the material from oxidation, a tall order with any
kind of open flame. Such materials are commonly melted with induction
furnaces, often in either a vacuum or an inert atmosphere. Melting and
casting any of the iron alloys with a torch is likely to be very difficult,
at best.

Harold