Beer Keg Furnace - Part Three - Machining home cast aluminium

[Retro Steam Tech]

[the artfull-codger]

Nice finish, do I see a little porosity in the centre of the chequer plate casting? I've had that a few times!!
Graham.

[Retro Steam Tech]

Thanks Graham. I think I just didn't face off quite enough material. As you can see there was quite a shrinkage dip in the end of the rod.

[the artfull-codger]

Hi yes you didn't face off much, sorry about that I wasn't criticising you!! quite a few yrs ago when I first thought to cast myself some bronze bar stock by putting various diam bars vertically in greensand & pouring them,after shakeout & feeling quite pleased with myself [till they went in the lathe to turn some steam fittings for model engines, & they were all porus!!! live & learn eh!!
Graham.

[Retro Steam Tech]

No apology necessary, didn't think you were criticising, just pointing something out. I've done some more machining on the ally I cast and as far as I can see it's fine. Perfectly ok for model steam engine or Stirling engine work, which is what I will be using it for.