Haven't had a whole lot to say the last couple of days. Been trying a different type of furnace for melting aluminum. Works well enough but I think I want to go back to the old way of doing it. This way heats the crucible up pretty quick but I can only get it about half full. Anymore than that and I can't keep the heat up. At least with the old method I am able to melt about one quart of aluminum. This fills the crucible and extreme care needs to be taken with it. Rare that I have a need for that much but its nice to have the ability.
Well there seemed to be some interest in this stuff out there. I highly recommend Gingery's series for those that wish to get started in this stuff. It may not be the most accurate work out there and there are some holes in his methods but it works. I know more than a couple of machinists out there that cry about how bad his ideas are. Too Frillin bad boys; not all of us can afford Bridgeport machines and $10000.00+ foundry equipment. Even a cheap machine can be made accurate and I have found that making them that way teaches me more about machining than a book or anything else. Just like with the foundry work I have been doing: Every pour teaches me something new. We learn best from our mistakes and so long as you are upright and breathing at the end of the day, you have a chance to correct the problem. Granted mistakes can get expensive but eventually you learn how to minimize that cost. For example: If I mess up a pour, either through the melt not being hot enough or over/under-ramming the sand, I can always remelt the mess. I would only be out the time and fuel used. The materials themselves are 100% recyclable. There is some oxidation that takes place and My dross pile is growing but I have found that makes great 'gravel' in the driveway. Bust it up with a hammer and its hard to tell it from stone anyway.
Now, if you are interested in this, I can't stress this enough. It really boils down to one lesson learned for me. If you want to learn anything, you have to get out and get your hands dirty. You MUST make the attempt or you will only have a cursory knowledge with no substance. (and doesn't that seem like most of the problem with the elected now-days?) The other aspect is, PATIENCE; nothing worthwhile comes quick. Take the time to make your parts accurately, take the time to learn at least the basics, take the time to research ANY question that may arise. Seek out those that want to teach too.
Back on tomorrow with some other stuff, Waiting for my phone to upload pics.
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Yep. I never rebuilt an automatic transmission until I rebuilt my first automatic transmission! Ya just gotta dive right in and "git 'er done". I do. Which is why I know carpentry, electricity, mechanics, paint and body, fiberglass fabrication and repair, boat building, navigation, welding.....
There will be a need of people like us here in the near future. Someone has to keep the lights on and the wheels turning. There are few that come out of the schools now that actually have a talent let alone skills of any sort. Those that do get swallowed up or buried in red tape and PC thought.
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