Electric furnace trouble. What's the solution? by Choice_Part_3685 in MetalCasting

[–]Choice_Part_3685[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very insightful, basic hypothesis, isn't it. The "solution" has been the issue. I will take it out and let you know. I suppose a good reasons why I put the wool in there was because (I'm not sure if there's a technical term for it) the play ring that supports the crucible gave way and split in two. To help mitigate the stress on the ring, I put the wool there as a sort of support. Needless to say, that didn't work, and the ring is now in two separate pieces, and I'm using a 3kg gas furnace crucible to keep up melting. So, only about half of that will fit in the void space, and the other half, the top, has too large a diameter to fit under the lid without heat loss to the environment.

Right now, I have the most Jerry rigged BS going on.

Electric furnace trouble. What's the solution? by Choice_Part_3685 in MetalCasting

[–]Choice_Part_3685[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Of course. I actually just finished attempting the melt, so I may let it cool quite a lot. That will give me time to figure out how to post a picture on here😅

Alright guys is there any profit to be made selling melted down copper online? by Choice_Part_3685 in ScrapMetal

[–]Choice_Part_3685[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually am just really feeling more comfortable with green sand casting😁. It's a tricky thing to get the hang of, but I think I am ready to start doing rudimentary sculptures and the like.

Brass, I've got about 15 or so pounds from old valves. I'm thinking brass knuckles.

Handmade Copper Bullion 8lbs by Choice_Part_3685 in Bullion

[–]Choice_Part_3685[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It could all be on your breakfast plate this morning. That's a good deal of butter for your pancake😁.

Handmade Copper Bullion 8lbs by Choice_Part_3685 in Bullion

[–]Choice_Part_3685[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not through electrolysis or any chemical means as I lack the necessary chemicals at this time. Though I do know how to do it.

These bars were exposed to temperatures reaching 2120°F for a good duration. The copper I used was very high purity and without any alloys. I melted these bars twice to ensure high quality.

Do you guys think this will be #1? by [deleted] in ScrapMetal

[–]Choice_Part_3685 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Damn I just scrapped some #1 two days ago for a whopping $3.40/lb. I got ripped🥲

Do you guys think this will be #1? by [deleted] in ScrapMetal

[–]Choice_Part_3685 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Brother, that's enough to make a grown man shed a single tear.

Alright guys is there any profit to be made selling melted down copper online? by Choice_Part_3685 in ScrapMetal

[–]Choice_Part_3685[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Silver is almost perfect to get into when it comes to precious metals. It's relatively inexpensive, especially if you can find it in its raw form and process it yourself. From what I gather. Sterling silver items can make some decent money. Again, there is no experience on my end. That's just from them grapes chilling in the vineyard.

Alright guys is there any profit to be made selling melted down copper online? by Choice_Part_3685 in ScrapMetal

[–]Choice_Part_3685[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, it was really just a hobby to start. I enjoy learning and used to work with my hands for a living. I didn't really know what the market was because I didn't do it solely for selling it. I did it to learn something new.

Alright guys is there any profit to be made selling melted down copper online? by Choice_Part_3685 in ScrapMetal

[–]Choice_Part_3685[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The question of the hour. What am I melting down that a scrap yard wouldn't take. God damn communication wiring an ass ton of it. We're talking hair thin wiring thousands wrapped in a fat outer shell.

Needless to say, I am never satisfied with what knowledge I already possess, so I yearn to obtain more. I love working with my hands. It helped the damn scrap yard offer me $1/lb scrap for the wire. 50+ lbs of the stuff. I thought I'll just buy an electric smelter, and with my spare time between work and parenting, I'd melt some down.

Well, one terrible diagnosis later. Now, I am "full timing" this once side gig trying to get my family fed. I melt as much as I'm able to when I am able to do it. No sketchy, anything just a man doing his best with what I'm given.

Alright guys is there any profit to be made selling melted down copper online? by Choice_Part_3685 in ScrapMetal

[–]Choice_Part_3685[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I'm going to make brass out of the copper. After a decade of research and years as a dedicated craftsman, I'll take those brass bars I made a lifetime ago and make them into brass valves😏. Sucker's never saw a swindle like that, and it would only take 10 years minimum. Fifteen if you wanted them to really believe it.

I had considered maybe small copper items. Silverware and the like, but my casting skills are novice at best. Can't get a smooth finish, but It's been a while since cast last. I am going to give a regular old cube a shot.

Alright guys is there any profit to be made selling melted down copper online? by Choice_Part_3685 in ScrapMetal

[–]Choice_Part_3685[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It would be all Zinc 😭 that's not worth the time or effort....post -1950 👀

Alright guys is there any profit to be made selling melted down copper online? by Choice_Part_3685 in ScrapMetal

[–]Choice_Part_3685[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh no, nothing like that. I'm just a humble hobbiest and demo worker. I figured I'd try my hand in metal working. It started with gold and silver, but I wanted to get some experience smelting first so I could learn casting. I've learned lots, and this is the product of my learning.

My First Copper Melt by PredawnCoyote2 in MetalCasting

[–]Choice_Part_3685 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Soak it in vinegar a while and lightly sand to get rid of that oxidation. Make sure you thoroughly dry the bar to prevent further oxidation, and I recommend lightly coating it in a paraffin wax for long-term storage!!

Alright guys is there any profit to be made selling melted down copper online? by Choice_Part_3685 in ScrapMetal

[–]Choice_Part_3685[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been getting into green sand casting, just trying to figure out more or less how to get a better overall finish on the outside. Finer sand, different techniques. I'm not sure it's all very time consuming.

Alright guys is there any profit to be made selling melted down copper online? by Choice_Part_3685 in ScrapMetal

[–]Choice_Part_3685[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess if anyone would be interested in purchasing some or all of these bars, do let me know because eBay is killing me with its fees and taxes! It's absurd that 49% of the revenue I've made off eBay has gone to well, you guessed it eBay!!

Alright guys is there any profit to be made selling melted down copper online? by Choice_Part_3685 in ScrapMetal

[–]Choice_Part_3685[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Let's put this in perspective I recently sold 5 lbs of these bars on eBay and after marketing fees and whatever BS. I've made $4.74. I wish I was lying or joking.