That is some great information !
There is so much to learn, and it definitely is an art, with perhaps a little science mixed in.
I would like to be able to cast steel, but I feel lucky to be able to do gray iron.
I was able to learn gray iron due to folks like 100model helping me learn it, and that is much appreciated.
I am not sure if I would have figured it out without help.
There are still a number of small suppliers in the Birmingham Alabama area (last time I checked a few years ago).
Alabama was the king of iron pipe in the world for many years, with huge foundries like Sloss (now a museum).
I looked for coke (coal heated in the absence of oxygen) for years, because that was the only fuel I was aware of in the early days that could be used to melt iron. I never found anything less than a semi-truckload, so I kept looking, and discovered oil burners like 100model's.
A few years ago, my niece found a new job. I told my sister "That is great, where did she end up?".
"ABC Coke in Birmingham" my sister said. Boy could I have used that connected in 2012.
And we have a few companies in town that apparently cater towards the design and materials for very large heat treating ovens, I guess for the mini mills in this area, or perhaps for bigger mills elsewhere.
Casting steel is definitely a black art, as if casting gray iron was not mysterious enough by itself.
If I could, I would operate an induction furnace, but that would take a pretty good sized diesel genset.
I have looked at used gensets, and they are somewhat reasonable, depending on what your definition of "reasonable" is.
I would settle for ductile iron over steel, if I could find a consistent source for Nickle Mag.
I will go back and study your list again.
Much to learn for sure.
Pat J
.