Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: melting aluminium

Just a quick note here. Induction furnaces don't supply the coils at 60hz.
because it is not too efficient. The power supply is switched at a much
higher frequency 30khz and higher.

Unless you live were there is very cheap hydro power, I would advise using a
propane furnace. You can use a propane or an electric furnace with heating
elements in doors. You will still have to vent either of these two clean
melters when used indoors because of the flux burn off and with propane you
must supply air for combustion.

My 1st furnace was a charcoal one. I melted brass, bronze & alum. The amount
of ash and burning charcoal which went flying in the air made for a great
light show but pissed off the wife and made for a fire hazard if the area had
dry grass.

Since then I've built four furnaces and one cupola. My big one is made
from a 55 gal drum and uses a Toro electric leaf blower and a 20 lbs tank of
propane for melting bronze, brass, and alum. When I melt cast iron I must
use a 100lbs tank or the propane will freeze up.

My small one is made from a 20 lbs out of date EMPTYpropane tank that I
filled with water and cut up with a sawzall. I can melt cast iron in this on
with just a 20lbs tank.

Lindsey Publications has several good books on building furnaces and an
excellent one on casting titled "US NAVY FOUNDRY MANUAL".

There are other newsgroup that cover casting and black smithing.


Last but not least I've been casting parts for 14 years and have not set the
house on fire or killed myself by using common sense and following safety
rules.

Sorry to take so much space to address this in this CNC group.