Aluminum Foundry

[Archangel]

A graphite crucible is the only way to go!

 

[Cogsy]

Yeah K $25.50 for a 10 yep thats sooooooo expensive

That's a good find - they seem to have come down in price since I last looked, though I would like a bit bigger than that. Had a (really) quick search myself and only turned up the ~$80 ones I was expecting but the cheaper units must be there somewhere. But yes, to me, that is quite expensive for something I can make for free when I'm on a very limited income - it might be peanuts to you, but it's certainly more than I can afford.

This is the sort of thing my search turned up:

 

[Archangel]

Please post how you cast a graphite crucible for free!
My #8 has been working well so far but every time I clean it before starting the next melt, there is a tiny bit of interior worn off and someday it will add up to buying a new one.

 

[stuartblack]

There is this but I cant find one ingredient

In the bar with 10 kg tap the down arrow theres a twelve at the bottom

 

[stuartblack]

IMG_1215

• stuartblack
• Aug 6, 2018

16kg I could be there all day with the listings theres thousands

 

[Cogsy]

IMG_1215

• stuartblack
• Aug 6, 2018

16kg I could be there all day with the listings theres thousands

Yeh, I know. I couldn't find the cheap one you found but plenty at $80 or so. With the dodgy listing practices/search manipulation eBay allows its sellers to do, finding the best price is getting difficult.

@Archangel - I can't cast graphite crucibles at all, let alone for free. I meant I can weld up some heavy steel pipe for free.

 

[reubenT]

50/50 mix of kaolin clay and alumina, dampened to stiff clay consistency, formed into a cup by whatever means works, on a wheel or packing into a form, or just free hand but that makes an uneven cup. then dried and fired. Supposed to make a good crucible. I just use my 3/8" thick steel can because my castings are not critical as to exact alloy, and I use whatever aluminum I have including cans and extruded, just making hubs and pulleys. But copper or brass requires the ceramic crucible, being their melting temp is too close to steel. By the time the brass is melted the steel will be like soft butter and fall through. Backyard metal casting is a good resource for info http://www.alloyavenue.com/vb/forum.php

 

[stuartblack]

Hey Cogsy The $25.50 was in Australia but came from hongkong . I assume your in the US the 16kg one.(I envy you guys cant find that big on Au ebay ) is US price and suprised me cos the US dollar is higher than ours. I would think would be somthing like $10. I wonder where the crucibles are sourced cos if there $25 here the seller is making a profit even with free postage. They must pay $2.00. Hmmm Ill just see if china has evil bay pitty i cant read chineese ,And see if i can find a price

 

[Ghosty]

The cheapest 16kg one I found was $70, from HK
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-2-3-4-6-8-10-12-16KG-Graphite-Furnace-Casting-Foundry-Crucible-Melting-Tool/322615886013?hash=item4b1d67c0bd:m:mrdiLrVRXWNsdwUR7Yl041g&var=511611358026&_sacat=0&_nkw=16kg+graphite+crucible&_from=R40&rt=nc&LH_TitleDesc=0

I have a 8kg one, as that is the largest the forge I have access to can take.

Cheers

 

[stuartblack]

Whoa man thats bad I found a 2kg for between $26 - 30 Thats no help to any body. I wonder why there so cheep here.

 

[stuartblack]

Thats so weird Ghosty I dont understand why the prices are so different.

 

[Ghosty]

Thats so weird Ghosty I dont understand why the prices are so different.

Don't know, it just pays to spend a little time looking as you can save a lot of $$$$$. I do this as well when looking for tools and supplies as well, i'm on a limited income so i have to watch where the $$$$ go.

Cheers
Andrew

 

[stuartblack]

I did find this but guess what sold out 16 kg Thats on US Ebay. Thats what I wanted with the spout, not fair, you guys get all the good stuff . Well i now know to searh deeper

 

[Cogsy]

Hey Cogsy The $25.50 was in Australia but came from hongkong . I assume your in the US

It seems to have dropped off my profile but I'm an Aussie too, though I'm in Perth so we often get stung for extra postage on stuff to get across the Nullarbor. I think I want a 10 or 12 kg one but I've only ever found them at $80 ish so haven't bothered. I'll have more of a look on ebay and see what I can dig up.

 

[stuartblack]

put this item number in evil bays search bar 152445427080
Thats a 12 I bought the 10 from this crowd be interesting to see if its the same price over WA

 

[Cogsy]

put this item number in evil bays search bar 152445427080
Thats a 12 I bought the 10 from this crowd be interesting to see if its the same price over WA

Very good pricing but as feared - they won't ship to WA at all. Their shipping excludes half the country by the looks of it :
"Posting to: Australia
Excludes: Northern Territory, Perth Metro, Adelaide Metro, QLD Far North, WA Regional, SA Regional, Tasmania, WA Remote"
Oh well, someday I'll get one. Let us know what the quality is like when you get yours.

 

[stuartblack]

Man thats shitfull Australia wide delivery execpt .
It looks like there photo funny enough like exactly. I wont be heating it up for a while though.