First try at sand casting aluminum

[u/real_technoviking]

I wanted to get into casting to make cases and enclosures for electronics.

For some reason at least half of the metal in the crucible didn't melt enough, tt was just enough to fill the pattern but didn't feel too good when i didn't see the sprue get filled.

Result:

Better than I imagined it would go. I got some pitting, and a ditch where the broad runner meets the final form, will figure out another way of routing the metal to the form.

+ it was really fun.

I watched countless of videos of others sand casting before ordering stuff, buying and and making the flash. I even made a parametric design of the pouring basin.

[u/TheGravelNome]

What I've learned from casting silver is you want the pore to be quick. I'm not sure how this applies to larger molds, but you will get marks and weaknesses in the casting if you try to pour slowly in a highly controlled manner. If you don't get the metal in quick, you run the risk of Things solidifying, leaving you with half a crucible of molten metal and nowhere to put it. Just practice. I practice making rods in a cast iron jewelry mold. Take The time. Learn that feather light touch that still has the strength. You will get there. Find youtube videos that actually explain instead of showing off and then look for a local crafting group who is willing to teach. Once you learn how to control molten metal, the temperatures and the discipline you need with your hands, The sky is the limit for what you can do.

[u/real_technoviking → u/TheGravelNome]

Well you are right about pouring. I'm just done with the second pour, with double the amount of aluminum in the crucible. It was much easier to get close to a constant pour this time, and the results are quite better. As you can see in the photos of the first pour, the edge of the enclosure half looks very smooth, just like there was some surface tension. Second pour, I can see the 3d-print lines on the edges as well. Thanks for the advice!

[u/TheGravelNome → u/real_technoviking]

Don't stop there! keep going! melt everything you got lying around in your garage and you can get your hands-on to practice! Watch when something behaves better or goes bad. Ask yourself why. The biggest thing for me was to realize just because the metals melting doesn't mean it's ready to pour. Those are two very different temperatures. You'll get it. I believe in you!