INTENSITY²

Start here => What's your crime? Basic Discussion => Topic started by: Bastet on December 13, 2013, 11:07:32 PM

Title: Helter smelter
Post by: Bastet on December 13, 2013, 11:07:32 PM
http://digg.com/video/what-you-get-when-you-pour-molten-aluminum-into-an-ant-hill (http://digg.com/video/what-you-get-when-you-pour-molten-aluminum-into-an-ant-hill)
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Jack on December 13, 2013, 11:19:58 PM
That's awesome. Want one.
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: DirtDawg on December 14, 2013, 03:40:29 AM
So do I!!

Nice!

I wonder how many worthless pours it takes to get one that cool.
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: odeon on December 14, 2013, 05:07:01 AM
How many ant colonies did it take?
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Parts on December 14, 2013, 09:55:00 AM
I have made a furnace to melt and cast aluminum before but didn't think of doing this and am considering it for a future project. 
The first one is using charcoal briquets and a blower the second one is with propane.  Everything I used was easy to find at Home Depot and Kmart and the aluminum was just scrap I found.


(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q131/parts67/Firstcast7.jpg) (http://s135.photobucket.com/user/parts67/media/Firstcast7.jpg.html)
(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q131/parts67/IM000001-2.jpg) (http://s135.photobucket.com/user/parts67/media/IM000001-2.jpg.html)
(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q131/parts67/Firstcast2.jpg) (http://s135.photobucket.com/user/parts67/media/Firstcast2.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Pyraxis on December 14, 2013, 11:35:13 AM
That's awesome. It's like a robot zombie.
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Icequeen on December 14, 2013, 12:41:55 PM
That is really neat. :autism:

Pulled up his website, he did a few of carpenters ant colonies too (plenty of those buggers around here), not nearly as cool though.
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Jack on December 14, 2013, 02:38:41 PM
am considering it for a future project. 
Be sure to post it if you do.

Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Bastet on December 14, 2013, 03:58:23 PM
It is an awesome way to get back at those nasty fire ants ans possible mmake money from it.
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Gopher Gary on December 14, 2013, 05:53:43 PM
OMG!! I want one!! :GA:
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: DirtDawg on December 15, 2013, 12:42:11 AM

Beautiful, Parts!!
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: DirtDawg on December 16, 2013, 10:08:04 PM
I have made a furnace to melt and cast aluminum before but didn't think of doing this and am considering it for a future project. 
The first one is using charcoal briquets and a blower the second one is with propane.  Everything I used was easy to find at Home Depot and Kmart and the aluminum was just scrap I found.


(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q131/parts67/Firstcast7.jpg) (http://s135.photobucket.com/user/parts67/media/Firstcast7.jpg.html)
(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q131/parts67/IM000001-2.jpg) (http://s135.photobucket.com/user/parts67/media/IM000001-2.jpg.html)
(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q131/parts67/Firstcast2.jpg) (http://s135.photobucket.com/user/parts67/media/Firstcast2.jpg.html)


Ya know, I have looked at your "furnace" a couple of times and I am still wondering about it.  It looks dangerous.

You used sand in a bucket to create a crucible? You needed a source of additional oxygen in the fire, so you used a heat gun?
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Semicolon on December 17, 2013, 07:06:46 AM
I have made a furnace to melt and cast aluminum before but didn't think of doing this and am considering it for a future project. 
The first one is using charcoal briquets and a blower the second one is with propane.  Everything I used was easy to find at Home Depot and Kmart and the aluminum was just scrap I found.


(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q131/parts67/Firstcast7.jpg) (http://s135.photobucket.com/user/parts67/media/Firstcast7.jpg.html)
(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q131/parts67/IM000001-2.jpg) (http://s135.photobucket.com/user/parts67/media/IM000001-2.jpg.html)
(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q131/parts67/Firstcast2.jpg) (http://s135.photobucket.com/user/parts67/media/Firstcast2.jpg.html)


Ya know, I have looked at your "furnace" a couple of times and I am still wondering about it.  It looks dangerous.

You used sand in a bucket to create a crucible? You needed a source of additional oxygen in the fire, so you used a heat gun?

It looks like cement.
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Parts on December 17, 2013, 08:31:27 AM
It's a homemade refractory cement made with Portland cement, fire clay and perlite.  There was a top with a hole in the middle  also that was not on in the photo made of the same stuff all of which I let dry for a week before using.  The refractory only lasts a dozen firings or so before you have to replace it but it's cheep.  That's not a heat gun it's a blower that I used dog food cans with both ends cut off to hook to the furnace :LOL:  I like trying to use whatever I have at hand in my projects spending as little as possible and most of the parts come from my  collection of salvaged items
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Semicolon on December 17, 2013, 06:16:50 PM
It's a homemade refractory cement made with Portland cement, fire clay and perlite.  There was a top with a hole in the middle  also that was not on in the photo made of the same stuff all of which I let dry for a week before using.  The refractory only lasts a dozen firings or so before you have to replace it but it's cheep.  That's not a heat gun it's a blower that I used dog food cans with both ends cut off to hook to the furnace :LOL:  I like trying to use whatever I have at hand in my projects spending as little as possible and most of the parts come from my  collection of salvaged items

I assume that that isn't working well for the furnace. :GA:
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Gopher Gary on December 17, 2013, 08:03:53 PM
It's a homemade refractory cement made with Portland cement, fire clay and perlite.  There was a top with a hole in the middle  also that was not on in the photo made of the same stuff all of which I let dry for a week before using.  The refractory only lasts a dozen firings or so before you have to replace it but it's cheep.  That's not a heat gun it's a blower that I used dog food cans with both ends cut off to hook to the furnace :LOL:  I like trying to use whatever I have at hand in my projects spending as little as possible and most of the parts come from my  collection of salvaged items

I assume that that isn't working well for the furnace. :GA:

I'd sacrifice my furnace for one of those melted metal things too, if I was smart enough to know how.  :tard:
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Semicolon on December 17, 2013, 08:05:55 PM
It's a homemade refractory cement made with Portland cement, fire clay and perlite.  There was a top with a hole in the middle  also that was not on in the photo made of the same stuff all of which I let dry for a week before using.  The refractory only lasts a dozen firings or so before you have to replace it but it's cheep.  That's not a heat gun it's a blower that I used dog food cans with both ends cut off to hook to the furnace :LOL:  I like trying to use whatever I have at hand in my projects spending as little as possible and most of the parts come from my  collection of salvaged items

I assume that that isn't working well for the furnace. :GA:

I'd sacrifice my furnace for one of those melted metal things too, if I was smart enough to know how.  :tard:

Be :viking: and make one. :arrr:
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Gopher Gary on December 17, 2013, 08:18:25 PM
It's a homemade refractory cement made with Portland cement, fire clay and perlite.  There was a top with a hole in the middle  also that was not on in the photo made of the same stuff all of which I let dry for a week before using.  The refractory only lasts a dozen firings or so before you have to replace it but it's cheep.  That's not a heat gun it's a blower that I used dog food cans with both ends cut off to hook to the furnace :LOL:  I like trying to use whatever I have at hand in my projects spending as little as possible and most of the parts come from my  collection of salvaged items

I assume that that isn't working well for the furnace. :GA:

I'd sacrifice my furnace for one of those melted metal things too, if I was smart enough to know how.  :tard:

Be :viking: and make one. :arrr:

Maybe parts will write up instructions and draw me a diagram.  :nerdy:
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Semicolon on December 17, 2013, 08:29:39 PM
It's a homemade refractory cement made with Portland cement, fire clay and perlite.  There was a top with a hole in the middle  also that was not on in the photo made of the same stuff all of which I let dry for a week before using.  The refractory only lasts a dozen firings or so before you have to replace it but it's cheep.  That's not a heat gun it's a blower that I used dog food cans with both ends cut off to hook to the furnace :LOL:  I like trying to use whatever I have at hand in my projects spending as little as possible and most of the parts come from my  collection of salvaged items

I assume that that isn't working well for the furnace. :GA:

I'd sacrifice my furnace for one of those melted metal things too, if I was smart enough to know how.  :tard:

Be :viking: and make one. :arrr:

Maybe parts will write up instructions and draw me a diagram.  :nerdy:

What do you need a diagram for? Don't worry about safety. :autism: Take a spare metal container, stick a Sonotube in the middle of it (leaving a bit of room on the bottom) and pour some cement in between them. Be sure to leave a pipe (or like object) in place to blow oxygen in. :viking:
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Gopher Gary on December 17, 2013, 08:40:31 PM
It's a homemade refractory cement made with Portland cement, fire clay and perlite.  There was a top with a hole in the middle  also that was not on in the photo made of the same stuff all of which I let dry for a week before using.  The refractory only lasts a dozen firings or so before you have to replace it but it's cheep.  That's not a heat gun it's a blower that I used dog food cans with both ends cut off to hook to the furnace :LOL:  I like trying to use whatever I have at hand in my projects spending as little as possible and most of the parts come from my  collection of salvaged items

I assume that that isn't working well for the furnace. :GA:

I'd sacrifice my furnace for one of those melted metal things too, if I was smart enough to know how.  :tard:

Be :viking: and make one. :arrr:

Maybe parts will write up instructions and draw me a diagram.  :nerdy:

What do you need a diagram for? Don't worry about safety. :autism: Take a spare metal container, stick a Sonotube in the middle of it (leaving a bit of room on the bottom) and pour some cement in between them. Be sure to leave a pipe (or like object) in place to blow oxygen in. :viking:

But I really like diagrams.  :lol1:
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Parts on December 17, 2013, 08:49:51 PM
It's a homemade refractory cement made with Portland cement, fire clay and perlite.  There was a top with a hole in the middle  also that was not on in the photo made of the same stuff all of which I let dry for a week before using.  The refractory only lasts a dozen firings or so before you have to replace it but it's cheep.  That's not a heat gun it's a blower that I used dog food cans with both ends cut off to hook to the furnace :LOL:  I like trying to use whatever I have at hand in my projects spending as little as possible and most of the parts come from my  collection of salvaged items

I assume that that isn't working well for the furnace. :GA:

I'd sacrifice my furnace for one of those melted metal things too, if I was smart enough to know how.  :tard:

Be :viking: and make one. :arrr:

Maybe parts will write up instructions and draw me a diagram.  :nerdy:

What do you need a diagram for? Don't worry about safety. :autism: Take a spare metal container, stick a Sonotube in the middle of it (leaving a bit of room on the bottom) and pour some cement in between them. Be sure to leave a pipe (or like object) in place to blow oxygen in. :viking:

But I really like diagrams.  :lol1:

Lots of info here http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com/ (http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com/)

I want to build another to fry some ants :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Gopher Gary on December 17, 2013, 08:52:04 PM
I want to build another to fry some ants :evillaugh:

Yeah, I really want to fry some ants too.  :plus:
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Semicolon on December 17, 2013, 09:07:11 PM
I want to build another to fry some ants :evillaugh:

Yeah, I really want to fry some ants too.  :plus:

You two need this:

(http://hellinahandbasket.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/vintage-wwii-flamethrower-300x187.jpg)
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Parts on December 17, 2013, 09:16:52 PM
I want to build another to fry some ants :evillaugh:

Yeah, I really want to fry some ants too.  :plus:

You two need this:

(http://hellinahandbasket.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/vintage-wwii-flamethrower-300x187.jpg)

Maybe I should make one :zoinks:
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Semicolon on December 17, 2013, 09:20:11 PM
I want to build another to fry some ants :evillaugh:

Yeah, I really want to fry some ants too.  :plus:

You two need this:

(http://hellinahandbasket.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/vintage-wwii-flamethrower-300x187.jpg)

Maybe I should make one :zoinks:

:indeed:

Use it to light your neighbors' grills in the summer. :2thumbsup:
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Gopher Gary on December 18, 2013, 08:47:00 PM
I don't think anyone really wants me to have one of those.  :green:
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: odeon on December 18, 2013, 11:58:05 PM
I want to build another to fry some ants :evillaugh:

Yeah, I really want to fry some ants too.  :plus:

You two need this:

(http://hellinahandbasket.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/vintage-wwii-flamethrower-300x187.jpg)

Everyone needs that.
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: odeon on December 18, 2013, 11:58:28 PM
I don't think anyone really wants me to have one of those.  :green:

I do.
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: DirtDawg on December 19, 2013, 12:03:45 AM

Lots of info here http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com/ (http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com/)

I want to build another to fry some ants :evillaugh:

I like your style, Parts!!
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Semicolon on December 19, 2013, 03:57:07 AM
I want to build another to fry some ants :evillaugh:

Yeah, I really want to fry some ants too.  :plus:

You two need this:

(http://hellinahandbasket.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/vintage-wwii-flamethrower-300x187.jpg)

Everyone needs that.

Never shovel snow again. :2thumbsup:
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Gopher Gary on December 19, 2013, 05:54:42 AM
I don't think anyone really wants me to have one of those.  :green:

I do.

You would.  :lol1:
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Lestat on December 21, 2013, 11:35:15 PM
Might be a good idea to use a refractory, something not based on cement, the sulfate content might well start offgassing SOx at very high temperatures. Not sure if calcium sulfate does so, but at least iron sulfates have been deliberately pyrolysed for production of oleum (fuming sulfuric acid with excess SO3 present)
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: odeon on December 22, 2013, 04:26:06 AM
I want to build another to fry some ants :evillaugh:

Yeah, I really want to fry some ants too.  :plus:

You two need this:

(http://hellinahandbasket.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/vintage-wwii-flamethrower-300x187.jpg)

Everyone needs that.

Never shovel snow again. :2thumbsup:

Never argue with anyone again. :2thumbsup:
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: Semicolon on December 24, 2013, 10:47:52 PM
I want to build another to fry some ants :evillaugh:

Yeah, I really want to fry some ants too.  :plus:

You two need this:

(http://hellinahandbasket.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/vintage-wwii-flamethrower-300x187.jpg)

Everyone needs that.

Never shovel snow again. :2thumbsup:

Never argue with anyone again. :2thumbsup:

Literally flame internet trolls. :2thumbsup:
Title: Re: Helter smelter
Post by: odeon on December 26, 2013, 04:48:34 AM
I want to build another to fry some ants :evillaugh:

Yeah, I really want to fry some ants too.  :plus:

You two need this:

(http://hellinahandbasket.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/vintage-wwii-flamethrower-300x187.jpg)

Everyone needs that.

Never shovel snow again. :2thumbsup:

Never argue with anyone again. :2thumbsup:

Literally flame internet trolls. :2thumbsup:

Win-win. :2thumbsup: