copper bars

My steel mold works fine with aluminum but I discovered molten copper likes to fuse with it so I milled out a chunk of graphite to pour 200 gram copper ingots.  They drop right out of this mold no problem.  68,72,56,0,W

the pour...

junk yard find...

100 pounds of copper and 15 pounds of aluminum - enough to cast over 1000 coins in aluminum bronze.  I decided not to cast with brass...it's too toxic in its molten state.  This was my first test cast with aluminum bronze and it only had a few flaws.  But I am encouraged by how well the detail held up with this alloy.

82,87,44,0,B

 

temptation...

James 1:12  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  

Pandemic Saturday

People think it's over but the numbers are going up.  Covid cases and deaths are rising while states are opening up anyway.

Don't touch!

 

Tempered a few more new crucibles today at about 1400°. 

84,88,39,0,B

moldy...

Broke out the welder today for the first time in years.  Fabricated a steel ingot mold for batches of melted alloys I will use for coins.  70,75,49,0,B

housebroken...

Casting test in brass...almost got it.

 

78,82,41,0,B

The bronze age at TFL...

We have watched...

Lamentations 4:16 The anger of the Lord hath divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, they favoured not the elders. 17 As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save us.

Pandemic Saturday

 

In case you were wondering...it isn't over yet.

LEO is a busy place...

the key grip...

Rig for tomorrow's video - masking the laptop with cardboard for shooting the screen with my DJI Osmo.  66,69,44,0,B 

Next melt attempt...

 

71,77,47,0,B

First cast fail...

Tried out melting aluminum cans for the first time today.  50 cans weigh about 600 grams.  I am supposed to expect about 35% to be pure aluminum so I was hoping for around 210 grams in the end.  I got only 109 grams and a ruined crucible clogged with solidified dross and leftover aluminum.  I believe the problem was that I poured before the crucible and metal were hot enough with still too many impurities in the mix.  I tried super heating the leftovers but they refused to melt.  83,89,53,0,B 

Live long and prosper...

let your requests be made known...

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Pandemic Saturday

 

The numbers are creeping up again as many states (including Texas) open up 100% against CDC guidelines.  Don't be an asshole - get vaccinated and continue to mask up and practice social distancing.

Fabricated some pouring tongs...

 

84,92,57,0,B

Mouth feeder...

my friend...

 

Moley has been hanging out and following me around

at TFL for the past 3 days.  Video tomorrow.

70,72,54,0,B

Fast shipping from the other side of the world.

Shot #1...

 

Approved of men...

Romans 14:16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.  

Pandemic Saturday

 

As if the pandemic is officially over and against the advisement of Federal health officials, Governor Greg Abbott recently issued an Executive Order (GA-34) lifting the mask mandate in Texas and increasing capacity of all businesses and facilities in the state to 100 percent. The Governor made the announcement at Montelongo's Mexican Restaurant in Lubbock in an address to the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce. 

"With the medical advancements of vaccines and antibody therapeutic drugs, Texas now has the tools to protect Texans from the virus,” said Governor Abbott. "We must now do more to restore livelihoods and normalcy for Texans by opening Texas 100 percent. Make no mistake, COVID-19 has not disappeared (?), but it is clear from the recoveries, vaccinations, reduced hospitalizations, and safe practices that Texans are using that state mandates are no longer needed. Today's announcement does not abandon safe practices that Texans have mastered over the past year. (Are you fucking kidding me?  I have seen my fair share of "Texans" who have totally ignored "safe practices" since the pandemic began.)  Instead, it is a reminder that each person has a role to play in their own personal safety and the safety of others. With this executive order, we are ensuring that all businesses and families in Texas have the freedom to determine their own destiny".   

This is exactly that kind of rhetoric that Covid deniers have used since the pandemic started - that mandates put in place for the health of all interfered with individual personal freedom.  In other news - I am scheduled for my first shot on Monday.

Anyone want some silver?

 

66,74,48,0,B

TCR

Third time's a charm?

 

SpaceX stuck the landing but SN10 exploded about 10 minutes later.

66,81,34,0,B

Last night inside?

Pampering this last surviving rooted cutting of my 2 year old tomato plants by bringing it inside the hut at night.   Had a low of 30 this morning which should be the last overnight freezing temperature of the year.  Going to transplant it soon.  57,63,30,0,B

Ordered this crucible...

 

Graphite Foundry Crucibles are made from a combination of graphite and clay, and are recommended for melting precious, or non-precious metals and can handle large batches of material. Their thick inner walls can handle direct heat and open flame foundries. They can be used with propane melting furnaces as well as a standard torch method. Rated to withstand temperatures up to 2912°F (1600°C). Measurements: 5-1/4" high x 4-3/4" in diameter (exterior dimensions); 4-3/4" deep x 3-3/4" in diameter (interior dimensions). *The "#" in title represents the amount of aluminum that the crucible can accommodate (in pounds); the "Kg" is for the amount of kilograms of brass and copper capacities.

51,59,42,0,B