Cincinnati Shaper

[Jammer]

From what I understand about Cast Iron, you can put a cover of graphite on top of the melt and it will only absorb what it needs and will balance out based on temperature. The hotter you go the higher the carbon. If you stay at pouring temp you should have a good carbon level and the graphite will burn up instead of the carbon in the iron. I've got some new books but haven't had a chance to look at them yet.
FeSi comes in different grades, most is 50 to 75% Si. I think it tends to go into the melt easier than pure Si. Some is low Aluminum FeSi, I don't know what the aluminum does to cast iron, in steel it reduces Oxygen in the melt and at high levels causes casting problems.

[dallen]

From what I understand about Cast Iron, you can put a cover of graphite on top of the melt and it will only absorb what it needs and will balance out based on temperature. The hotter you go the higher the carbon. If you stay at pouring temp you should have a good carbon level and the graphite will burn up instead of the carbon in the iron. I've got some new books but haven't had a chance to look at them yet.
FeSi comes in different grades, most is 50 to 75% Si. I think it tends to go into the melt easier than pure Si. Some is low Aluminum FeSi, I don't know what the aluminum does to cast iron, in steel it reduces Oxygen in the melt and at high levels causes casting problems.

next time I do a melt I'll try floating some graphite on top of the melt by putting it in some aluminum foil and dropping it in, I have seen in one video that I watched of a big iron pour where they used what looked like a gallon bucket to dump the chemicals in the stream while filling the mold. That is also one of the ways that the Principles of Metal Casting say's to introduce the stuff although some my be added into the bottom of the pouring ladle covered with some scrap to keep it from blowing out of the ladle, but I don't have that big of a crucible.

With floating the graphite on top would you stir it in before pouring or just let it float, it's going to be stirred in if add FeSi ( I have to find that other bag) to the melt because it will just float and can end up in the slag if a guy isn't careful.

You do know that this would be a lot easier if I was messing with a 100 pound batch instead of these little 3 to 6 pound melts that I have been doing, but I don't have any parts that are bigger to pour. Hopefully I'll get the pattern done for the new pulley for the transmission and it will take a pretty good pot full to pour it with, Will also have to knock together a new flask for it I don't any that will work except that huge one I did the big flat belt pulley with and I'm in no hurry to fill it back up with sand.

Thanks for the info.

DA

[Jammer]

I would skim it and give it a good stir right before pouring or you may end up with some carbon going in to the cast and have hard spots or maybe even white iron. I'm not sure how you would keep the additive even while pouring into a flask, especially if the pattern had a lot of detail.
We added aluminum to the ladle stream, it was a wire feeder and went into the 5 1/2" sq. mold for a continuous cast billet. It was usually les than .05%

[dallen]

this is probably going to be a dumb idea but what if I was to stir the melt with a gouging rod their almost pure carbon, I have a few boxes of them laying around from my days when I had a job.

Weather is all screwed up today so I won't get to try anything for a couple days, there's suppose to be some big weather headed my direction this evening. But then again this is Oklahoma and it may do nothing more then just cool down.

DA

[dallen]

Sorry guys I haven't posted anything in a few days been under the weather one day I feel pretty decent the next I feel like shit

I've gotton some work done on the pulley pattern for the transmission but photo's will have to wait.

Right now its time to turn the lights out

DA

[mite5255]

Is the ticker giving you a hard time Dave

Mike

[dallen]

no not the ticker had some kind of stomach bug had me walking on egg shell, what sucks is one day I feel pretty good the next is like crap, this morning feels like someones been banging on hy right wrist with a hammer.

[Jammer]

Did you get a flu shot? My wife got one last week and hasn't felt good since, upset stomach, achy joints and sinus. I avoid shots when I can.
Hang in there, hopefully you'll feel better soon.

[dallen]

no Jammer I shy away from Flu shots have for years they make me feel pretty nasty. I don't know what I have its not bad enough to go see the doctor anyway I don't think it is, now the right wrist is a different deal it doesn't stop pretty soon I'm going to go see the quack at the VA about it. damn tendon's pinched or something.

who know's I may even get in a little furnace time tomorrow if it doesn't rain as they say it might.

DA

[dallen]

got to feeling like actually doing something on the shaper tonight so I made the brass retainer that will hold the pawl in place, I made it big and clunky as the original was still not sure about the exact shape, have been in contact with Fabber McGee in Fairbanks he said that he would get me some photos here pretty quick.

anyway photos of the brass, man do I so not like threading bearing bronze.



the knurl is off a little should of took a couple more thousands off of it.