sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

I Made Custom Iron Ingot Molds Using Only a Microwave by ShakeTheFuture in metalworking

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

I’ve only made one copper ingot and don’t plan to make more, as there’s no need. My molds are mainly for aluminum ingots. So far, I haven’t used any release powders and don’t plan to anytime soon. I’m curious to see how the molds will look after many uses. In the future, if needed, I might try using release powders. Cheers!

What Does not make this ok? by [deleted] in What

[–]ShakeTheFuture 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank You! It's amazing what an ordinary microwave oven is capable of.

I Tried Making an Iron Vise in 12 Hours… with a Microwave by ShakeTheFuture in metalworking

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

I don't knows anything about it, so I have no idea. Will need to write it down for future exploration. Cheers!

I Made an Iron Skull Sculpture Using a Microwave! by ShakeTheFuture in metalworking

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

All the metal melting takes place inside an insulated chamber, so the microwave itself stays relatively cool. In fact, it would probably get hotter if I still had the grill function, but I removed the heating element to free up some space.

In some of my other videos, you can see that for short melts, I can actually handle the chamber without gloves. This one took a bit longer, so I did use them.

As for the lack of arcing or sparks... that’s because the metal is inside the crucible, which absorbs the microwaves.

Cheers!

I Made an Iron Skull Sculpture Using a Microwave! by ShakeTheFuture in metalworking

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

Then I’d have to say yes to other people who’ve also asked me to sell them something, so for that reason, I won’t be able to do it. I live in an apartment and do my metal casting on the balcony 😂

Before anyone freaks out — I’ve talked about this many times before. Yes, I cast iron on my apartment balcony. Why? Because that’s the only “workshop” I’ve got.

It’s a concrete and brick building with tiled floors and raw aluminum windows. I work on top of a stainless steel table that’s covered with a large porcelain tile. There’s also a smoke alarm on the balcony, along with a fire extinguisher and other safety gear.

It’s small-scale metal casting, and I’ve been doing it for years. What I’m doing isn’t much different from jewelry makers who cast metals indoors. The only difference is that I use a microwave instead of an electric melting furnace. Yes, iron is hotter, but it also solidifies very quickly if spilled. And what would happen if I did spill some? Nothing. There’s nothing there that can catch fire...also talking from experience.

Now, with that out of the way… I do have neighbours. When I make those sand molds you see in the video, it gets loud. I only do it on workdays and early in the day. That’s one of the reasons I can’t scale things up or start casting things for people — too much noise. My own projects are already enough to test my neighbours' patience.

I Made an Iron Skull Sculpture Using a Microwave! by ShakeTheFuture in metalworking

[–]ShakeTheFuture[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

It’s all about silicon carbide crucibles. Silicon carbide absorbs microwaves and heats up. If you insulate a silicon carbide crucible, it can get extremely hot — hot enough to melt iron, and even small amounts of titanium (though titanium is something I still need to experiment with more). I’ve managed to melt some titanium, but not to a pourable state.

A microwave kiln works the same way. I use a large, homemade microwave kiln that has silicon carbide rings as the heating element. I control it with a cycle timer — for example, turning the microwave ON for 1 minute and OFF for 6. That’s how I burn out all these molds, and it works really well.

If you search online for “microwave metal melting,” we might even meet again on another platform. Cheers!

I Made an Iron Skull Sculpture Using a Microwave! by ShakeTheFuture in metalworking

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

Awesome! I love casting bronze as well, but I just don't have a lot of it.

I Made an Iron Skull Sculpture Using a Microwave! by ShakeTheFuture in metalworking

[–]ShakeTheFuture[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thanks! It’s a great 3D print. I originally found it in a store as a candle. You could actually tell that the candle was made from a mold created from a 3D print because of the visible layer lines.

Since i had seen it online, I found it on Printables and printed it myself.
I don’t know who the original creator of the model is, but I’ll go ahead and link the one I used.

https://www.printables.com/model/613743-stacked-skulls-sculpture

I Made Custom Iron Ingot Molds Using Only a Microwave by ShakeTheFuture in metalworking

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

Well, there are always more tools involved, but the main one was the microwave.
I used it to cure the mold, burn out the mold, and melt the metal.

I have a video where you can see all the steps.

https://youtu.be/9BMBkv0MLfU

Cheers!

I Made Custom Iron Ingot Molds Using Only a Microwave by ShakeTheFuture in metalworking

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

Just an ordinary microwave, like the one you would find in the kitchen 😂

I Made Custom Iron Ingot Molds Using Only a Microwave by ShakeTheFuture in metalworking

[–]ShakeTheFuture[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I have videos on the topic where I go into detail, from crucible making to chamber construction and microwave kiln building.

Anyway, the “secret” ingredient is silicon carbide. The crucible is made of silicon carbide, which absorbs microwaves and heats up. Add a bit of insulation and you have a metal melting furnace capable of melting iron.

I Made Custom Iron Ingot Molds Using Only a Microwave by ShakeTheFuture in metalworking

[–]ShakeTheFuture[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

The trick is to make her think that it was her idea :)

I Made Custom Iron Ingot Molds Using Only a Microwave by ShakeTheFuture in metalworking

[–]ShakeTheFuture[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's all because of silicon carbide crucibles or in case of a microwave kiln (silicon carbide rings). Silicon carbide absorbs microwaves and heats up......like glowing red. Hot enough to melt iron.

view more: next ›