Rudy Kouhoupt's Open Column Steam Engine - Cast & Double Size
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vederstein
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Terry,
Thank you for the comments.
When I get to the next casting project, I intend to make more green sand using fine aquarium sand. I'll use this new sand to just over the pattern and hopefully my casting quality will improve.
I'll also try some of the other techniques (poking small holes & a riser) on future projects and see the changes.
I'm still very much a novice at the casting side of things. It'll get less crappy.
...Ved.
Thank you for the comments.
When I get to the next casting project, I intend to make more green sand using fine aquarium sand. I'll use this new sand to just over the pattern and hopefully my casting quality will improve.
I'll also try some of the other techniques (poking small holes & a riser) on future projects and see the changes.
I'm still very much a novice at the casting side of things. It'll get less crappy.
...Ved.
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Probably a bit late to comment, but I've only recently discovered this site, and even more recently this thread.
As a retired Firefighter / Officer, I can confirm the risk with Volkswagen parts.
If you do get to the point where the magnesium ignites, DO NOT USE WATER, as that creates an explosive mix. Use DRY SAND only, or a specialist Fire Extinguisher. Not sure exactly where you are, but in Australia, the Specialist extinguisher is known as "Purple K". You could achieve knockdown with an ordinary dry powder extinguisher, but will need three to four times what would be normally required.
Ian Munro
Senior Station Officer - Retired
Metropolitan Fire Brigade
Melbourne, Australia.
vederstein
Must do dumb things....
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The information about the Volkwagen parts and magnesium is all very good for those that are working with those components. I appreciate the warnings, but please note that I'm not using Volkwagen components to melt down. It's an engine from the Chevy Corvair. If someone knows that it's high in magnesium, then I certainly need to take the necessary precautions.
Perhaps I should do the vinegar test though...
Thanks,
...Ved.
Perhaps I should do the vinegar test though...
Thanks,
...Ved.
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Apology Ved;
I wasn't having a go at you, but just highlighting issues, as I've had to clean up the mess a bloke made of himself, and his garage, doing something similar to this, as well as a few Volkswagens, over 40 or so years.
(Good trick to play on the "Probie," if the car is basically stuffed, give him / her the hose, and tell them to put it out, stand back, and watch the fireworks, but be close enough to grab the collar of their tunic coat, and pull them back to safety. - Nothing teaches like a controlled mistake. - Years later watched one of my former "Probies," now an Officer himself, doing exactly the same thing to the latest generation !!) )
The main point I was trying to make is, that if it gets going, you're going to have trouble putting it out, on your own, without back up, and the average garden hose isn't going to have enough flow to do other than stoke it up.
Not sure about the alloy mix of the Corvair engines, not a model that was big in Australia. But we've had a few aluminium, and other alloy engines out here, over the years, and probably going to get more as the push to make cars lighter increases. (Might mean more useful material in the wrecking yards, that can be repurposed cheaply !!)
Just all be careful, and check, e.g. the vinegar test, before rushing in.
Cheers
Ian
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