What's the melting point for Aluminum?

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How can I make my own mold for casting??

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I want to get into casting, I'm ok with Forging with the anvil, but I figure casting would be easier and quicker. What do I need to get started?

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hi guys, i have acess to a lot of old shipwrecks near where i live and would like to try and get a few bits of proper old wrought iron to play with.my question is,is there certain parts that are better to use than others eg anchors etc. where the whole ships made from wrought iron? and igenerally how old do the ships need to be to get the good stuff.most of them are around 100 years old. thanks in advance.

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My forge is currently a nice heavy brake drum set into a dry stacked hearth of firebrick. Bottom blast. Works very well, but the wide shallow brake drum makes a BIG fire... Haven't figured out a way to really control that yet. But coal is cheap. And I save my left over coke like a miser. (Young beginning smiths, don't ever ever let someone tell you that a brake drum forge doesn't work. there is a, seemingly, popular site that has an entire page dedicated to bashing brake drum forges. Ignore it. My brake drum in a hearth is every bit as good as the Centaur firepot in a hearth I learned on.) But... was looking at some side blast forges that are basically stacked firebrick with the blast coming in from a gap in the side. I am intrigued. It looks you would have a lot more control over the size of the fire, and the location of the ""sweet spot."" So. Bottom Blast vs. Side Blast. Discuss.

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In another forum today a lifelong metal worker said that the safest way to use an angle grinder is to start it with it TOUCHING the workpiece. Curious about this I went and did some research, and everything I read indicated to start the grinder away from the workpiece, let it come up to speed, and then bring the tool to the piece. So... err which is it?

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Hello. When you put steel or iron into the fire, and it starts burning, what exactly is going on? what makes it burn and spark, and pit and all that stuff? Also, is this what is happening to steel/iron which is being cut by a cutting torch, or is that all blowing out of the molten metal? Thanks

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I am quoting a large fire screen (5'x6') and the customer wants an option for glass. I know plate glass doesn't work - anyone have an opinion on what the best grade and source is for suitable material?

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Does anyone have any experience with a mini mill for slotting guards? I have a cross vise on an old drill press,not usefull at all. Would a mini mill be a better option on a limited budget?

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I am a fairly inexperienced operator of milling machines, but I know that a good milling machine can offer a huge advantage to a knife maker in terms of flexibility and labor savings. Consequently, I've purchased a 1968 Bridgeport Series 1 (j-head) for my new shop; I found it for a sweetheart deal in the neighboring town, and it is in practically mint condition. I'm beginning to assemble an order for my tooling, but I'd like some input from some more experienced operators. So my question for you all is: Which milling tools (e.g. end mills, cutters, etc.) do you use the most, and what do you use them for? More specifically: Which types of tools do you use most, and which styles within that type? What operations do you use each tool for (e.g. cutting transverse ladder grooves with a ball end mill)? Are your tools HSS, Carbide, etc.? How many flutes do you prefer on your end mills for the cutting of different materials?

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