A bigger crucible

I've bought a new a10 crucible, this can comfortably hold over a litre of aluminium. So I need some new crucible tongs. Have welder, will fabricate... I made the curved parts with a simple wooden jig, I've also made up the ring for my pouring shank For the jig, ignore the gap down the middle, that was an idea that did not work out. You need to tap a small wedge in to hold the steel strap from slipping, that should be tapped in from the short end of the steel, so that the wedge tends to get pull in tighter. After you have started to bend the steel, take it out, and cut off the small straight section at the end, then replace it in the jig and work away.

I'm back casting again.

The red sand is oil bonded sand, it gives much finer detail. Mandrels are placed in the mold and for a hold in the casting, the mandrels are knocked out afterward. Then holes are drilled and tapped for grub screws. I made the patterns on a 3d printer, and I cut the negative of the patterns to make a small holder to put the handles in for drilling.

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I've also started back lost wax casting. of the three hands, I've poured 2, one failed and will be going back in the pot. The other turned out well. I did not burn out all the wax residue on the second hand. So when I poured the bronze into it, it started spitting and flaming quite a lot. The hand that came out ok, had a lot of flashing where the shell cracked, but since the shell was buried in sand, the cast was not ruined. A little work with a sharp chisel, and a dremel, and it'll be fine

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