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Metalworking (rec.crafts.metalworking) Discuss various aspects of working with metal, such as machining, welding, metal joining, screwing, casting, hardening/tempering, blacksmithing/forging, spinning and hammer work, sheet metal work. |
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#1
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Newbie, no idea where to start.
I want to make necklaces out of small plastic toys such as jacks, toy
soldiers, etc. I read a little bit about how to melt aluminum in an easy backyard foundry thing (I don't know the terms), and I was wondering would it be easier (or possible) to dip the object into some molten aluminum, pewter, or something to make a nice metal coating, or if I need to make a sand casting. The thing is I don't have anything to grind off the excess with if I mold it. |
#2
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Newbie, no idea where to start.
Popess Pantiara Evokovitch, BAYBEE! wrote:
I want to make necklaces out of small plastic toys such as jacks, toy soldiers, etc. I read a little bit about how to melt aluminum in an easy backyard foundry thing (I don't know the terms), and I was wondering would it be easier (or possible) to dip the object into some molten aluminum, pewter, or something to make a nice metal coating, or if I need to make a sand casting. The thing is I don't have anything to grind off the excess with if I mold it. Plastic melts at a much lower temperature than aluminum. If you live close to a community college, take some basic shop classes. Check if there's one specifically for artists. -- Tim Wescott Wescott Design Services http://www.wescottdesign.com Do you need to implement control loops in software? "Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" gives you just what it says. See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html |
#3
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Newbie, no idea where to start.
Plastic melts at a much lower temperature than aluminum.
Paint http://www.alsacorp.com/products/mir...irrachrome.htm |
#4
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Newbie, no idea where to start.
On Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:38:52 -0700 (PDT), "Popess Pantiara Evokovitch,
BAYBEE!" wrote: I want to make necklaces out of small plastic toys such as jacks, toy soldiers, etc. I read a little bit about how to melt aluminum in an easy backyard foundry thing (I don't know the terms), and I was wondering would it be easier (or possible) to dip the object into some molten aluminum, pewter, or something to make a nice metal coating, or if I need to make a sand casting. The thing is I don't have anything to grind off the excess with if I mold it. You might be better off looking toward jewelry making methods if you want those necklaces to have high definition to them. You can make a silicone rubber mold direct from the item, or plaster of paris. Or make a copy of the item in wax (with a wax rod for a sprue attached) and use the Lost Wax method - dip it in a plaster solution to make a mold, then a few layers of plaster/sand to build up the shell. Then melt/burn the wax out of the middle in an oven to make your mold. Then you melt your Aluminum or Zamac (Zinc Aluminum Copper alloy, AKA "Pot Metal") in a proper small crucible and cast away. Buy your casting alloy if you can, 'mystery metal' Aluminum from scrap (extrusion or structural alloys) doesn't cast worth a darn. And even the casting ones the alloy elements can get all messed up in the reheat, especially if you aren't quick and let it bubble for a while. You will have enough variables to deal with getting your molding and venting right. -- Bruce -- |
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