DIY Foundry

What is it?

This is a homemade foundry. It's a foundry, not a forge, because a forge doesn't melt metal, just softens it.

What was the process?

This one was a process. I was in Singapore and knew nobody who could help and no places I could go. All the materials in this project were bought at a neighborhood paint store, a grocery store, or from around the house (except the crucible, didn't want to risk that breaking).

What did I learn?

• Simple Thermodynamics
  • I had to make sure the plastic bucket wasn't going to melt on me
• Redesigning Persistence
  • At first, I couldn't find the materials I needed
  • I ended up using cat litter as the mold material

Results?

Brilliant -- the foundry melted soda cans within seconds! The molding process still needs work, but at least this vaguely heart shaped item that I made didn't explosively vaporize any water.