Today, I have mostly been melting bike parts

[nowhere.elysium]

A couple of you have expressed interest in the fact that I now have a small furnace, so I've decided to do a brief writeup.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2842/33063666493_455be114ef_k.jpg

So, first things first - I wanted to get my new crucible sorted. My previous melts had been done with the first thing I could lay hands on (namely a cheapo ASDA cocktail shaker), just to get a feel for the process. Since then, I wanted to have a proper go at this, so needed something a bit more robust. Luckily, a mate of mine had an empty CO2 canister from his MIG welder, so we cut it open, and sized it up for a crucible.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3703/33877298795_d680d3d471_k.jpg

Now, being as lazy as I am, I realised that I really couldn't be bothered to have at it with a flap wheel to get all the paint off. Instead, I just decided to put it in the furnace and run it up to a low temperature to bake all the paint and shit off instead.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2844/33747784571_21e3531239_k.jpg, on Flickr

...Resulting in a fairly clean proto-crucible vessel:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2930/33747783741_5874d0d430_k.jpg

In order to make this into a properly useful object, as opposed to 'a thing what I scavenged', I reasoned that I should at least give it a stable base, so cut a section of it down (to keep it short enough to fit in the furnace) to provide a ring for the base.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3927/33033290564_262d9fa200_k.jpg

With that done, I lined it up...

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3894/33836093906_f4b09682e7_k.jpg

...And proceeded to make a complete pig's arsehole of welding it together:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3941/33747782121_18b7143b32_k.jpg

In my defence, I only got the welder yesterday, and I've never done anything with MIG before. Regardless, it scrubbed up OK (if you squint a bit, and the lighting's poor).

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2873/33747781541_f595e79e6f_k.jpg

That said, it's not like the furnace will give the slightest shit, so meh.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3938/33063670133_bf38d0e7dd_k.jpg

So, beyond this point it's largely a case of applying both metal and heat to the crucible to make the magic happen:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3816/33747779741_a443e722f1_k.jpg

With enough of that, you'll eventually end up with this:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2862/33063668493_7be26f5d3a_k.jpg

Which is a bean tin full of molten aluminium. I'm melting down a lot of stuff at the moment for a future project that's coming up. I want to have as much material ready to go as is possible, and, well, a tin-sized object takes up a lot less room than the ZZR subframe it started life as.

Also, bonus video! Before anyone passes comment, yes I know my breathing makes me sound like a rapist - allergies plus diminished lung capacity will do that.
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[nowhere.elysium]

Now that stuff has cooled down sufficiently to peel the bean can off, we can see the final result:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2900/33836095586_7c1f54637e_k.jpg
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[Hahadumball]

awesome write up, i was thinking you wouldnt deliver

ive toyed with the idea myself as i have a LOT of aluminium i could melt down and cast into weird and wonderful things.. maybe a new spine

also, i have those gloves... well not those because they're yours but mine are the same style
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Fin: no matter how much I look at It I can't understand what was going through my head, all I remember is going about 80 and redlining it to stop it seizing.
360 Deg... Five 1/4 turns. :- Teflon-Mike 18 Jan 2015

[chris-red]

Whats the white stuff?
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[nowhere.elysium]

[chris-red]

I meant in the forge? Looks like insulation.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[nowhere.elysium]

[owl]

only the first picture loads for me the rest are

https://s9.postimg.org/3kl61kksv/image.png

tried on a few devices
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Observation is the greatest source of wisdom.

[nowhere.elysium]

[chris-red]

I have a ally TDM frame and front wheel you are welcome too if you can do anything with it Give me a shout next time you are back these 'endz' if you want it.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[.....]

[nowhere.elysium]

OK, pictures should be sorted now.
Chris - I might be in London tomorrow if you're about. Failing that, I should be down over the Easter weekend.
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[chris-red]

[BillyJ]

Very cool

Reminds me of this guy
https://youtu.be/y2RYYBRFu1A
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Had: '06 CBR125R + '01 GSF600 + '07 SPRINT ST 1050 + '80 CB250 RSA + '93 Ducati 900SS
Have: '13 GSXR-1000 + '01 CB500S
"The aryan confuser"

[Baggyman]