The Bucket Foundry

**Flettner** · 16th December 2016, 18:06

Mixing the sodium silicate and sand. Mold box and stuffers, one third packed, with gassing holes inserted.

**Flettner** · 16th December 2016, 18:11

Using the CO2 gas. Bugger, out of gas, will have to see if I can get a new bottle tomorrow.

**husaberg** · 16th December 2016, 19:00

**WilDun** · 16th December 2016, 22:13

Originally Posted by Flettner

Using the CO2 gas. Bugger, out of gas, will have to see if I can get a new bottle tomorrow.

What RPM does that sand mixing drum rotate at?

Nifty "gassing tool" - as I see it, it's an air gun attached to a rubber plunger?

Too bad about the cylinder mould!

**WilDun** · 17th December 2016, 08:52

Originally Posted by husaberg

Simple Hardness Test

I like it, great idea!

**Flettner** · 17th December 2016, 10:58

Got more gas. Looking at the bottom of the mold, wood shape is the gate from the runner into the rocket fins.

**Flettner** · 17th December 2016, 11:09

See the gap left by installing the plastic beads to the patern. This is where the metal will run.
Will, you would probably guess, drum RPM is 42, the answer to the universe and everything. Some might know.

**Flettner** · 17th December 2016, 14:49

The aftermath, four rockets, one cylinder and about a spot of alloy left over.

**husaberg** · 17th December 2016, 15:38

They look like neat xmas gifts Neil.

**Flettner** · 17th December 2016, 17:51

Fired up the CNC and told it to make me a nose cone, almost looks a bit sinister. Rocket man, good old Elton

**ken seeber** · 17th December 2016, 17:53

Originally Posted by Flettner

The aftermath, four rockets, one cylinder and about a spot of alloy left over.

Excellent Fletto. Expect a call from NASA, or even that big Don himself.

Did a bit more on the Slider exhausts, well Hindenburgs really. I'll tell them to be careful of any LM13 rockets that might have gone astray.

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**WilDun** · 18th December 2016, 12:06

Today I hauled the furnace outside and lit it up with a low flame to dry out the repaired lid and hoping to hell it doesn't explode. I eventually found my burner after looking everywhere - finally found it filed away under "FOUNDRY" .... duh!
If everything looks ok after an hour I will open up the throttle and fire it properly, then who knows, I might even try a melt and maybe pour some ingots (from my scrap, not Flettner's LM 13) If all that works to plan then I'll have to get serious about patterns and moulds!

NEIL,
Would it be better not to ram it too hard for Silicate sand?
I now have to go and find my CO2 gear - no doubt filed away under lathe tools or somewhere more silly, hang on, it's under 'S' for Sodastream!

Also, I can't remember what percentage of silicate to sand you use - I know you told us earlier but I can't find it - sorry.

Ken, cones looking good!

**WilDun** · 18th December 2016, 12:35

Got her up to nearly full blast now all's well (so far), just hoping all the moisture has dried out of the lid! so as a precaution I decided to wear my welding helmet and gloves - welding helmet is good (with the lid open of course) because it shields your face from the heat and it's possible to have the odd squint into the furnace from above (within reason).

The polystyrene beads which I included in the ordinary concrete mix (in the outer part of the lid) ae now melting out, hope that does'nt cause problems!

OH SHIT! now the lid is starting to smoke! - why did I listen when someone told me to use polystyrene bubbles in the mix?!! - still, she'll be right I reckon.
Will switch it off when the smoke stops (nearly gone now) and start preparing for a melt and pour another day, don't want to get ahead of myself.
I am home alone so maybe I'd better play it safe - but I'm happy so far!

The burner might be able to handle a little more air, then I can up the gas pressure and that should equal more heat - the 1mm jet seems to be handling things so far, so out with the milling cutter to enlarge the slots, just like developing a bucket racer, eh!
When I used the furnace previously, even after a melt you could put your hand on the outer case, but then I didn't have a proper lid, now I can still touch the case with my hand, however it's now a bit hotter and I have to take it off immediately.
Surprisingly the lid with the polystyrene concrete appears to be good for insulation as well and I can can touch it with my hand.
Conclusion - always use a proper lid, probably saves on fuel.
- Very happy!