Metal crucible

kadora · Jun 1, 2013

Hello all
GUYS is possible to melt aluminium in steel crucible .
For example a steel pipe welded on one end .
I have found that ceramic or grafite crucibles are quite
expensive.
Thanks Kadora

stevehuckss396 · Jun 1, 2013

kadora said:
Hello all
GUYS is possible to melt aluminium in steel crucible .
For example a steel pipe welded on one end .

Thanks Kadora

Yes you can. I have a 4 inch ID and a 3-1/2 inch ID both made from steel pipe. I also have 2 stainless steel. All work well.

gld · Jun 1, 2013

kadora said:
Hello all
GUYS is possible to melt aluminium in steel crucible .
For example a steel pipe welded on one end .
I have found that ceramic or grafite crucibles are quite
expensive.
Thanks Kadora

I have melted aluminum in a cast iron lead pot....I thought the pot was going to melt before the aluminum, but it worked out.

Hopefuldave · Jun 1, 2013

Best to have some sort of coating on the pot, as iron can/will dissolve into the Al - at the minimum get the empty crucible up to temperature (glowing nicely) so an oxide layer forms, and when cool, coat the inside with a clay slip and fire it again - iron in the melt doesn't do any favours to the casting and weakens the alloy quite a lot.

PhnxCaller · Jun 2, 2013

Yes, steel will work great, ive been using it for years.

kadora · Jun 2, 2013

Thank you for your answers i am a bit closer to the casting art.
Kadora

stevehuckss396 · Jun 2, 2013

I made 4 of these. 2 steel and 2 stainless. I turned the boss where the handle picks it up. Drill a hole and weld from the inside. Then weld a small ring on the back so you can hook it to tip the cup with a piece of rod or some other type of hook.

Then the handle gets a keyhole shaped slot. The big hole was drilled and then finished with an end mill

When the pipe is picked up the handle is slipped on. When the handle is raised the crucible is captured in the slot. It will pivot for the pour but you won't have to worry about it getting away from you. Hate to think what could happen if a cup slips off the handle and hits the ground and splashes metal all over. This is not nessessary but it is an extra layer of safety so why not take the extra few minutes.

Be safe and have fun!

Metal crucible

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