Metal Casting Zone

hey again guys.

Firstly, I've recently been getting all the safety equipment to cast before the furnace arrives and so far i have leather welding chaps, leather welding jacket, steel-cap leather boots, faceshield, and some leather gloves from the hardware store(genuine leather, with no synthetic parts). Just wondering about some other tidbits:

is a respirator necessary? (only Al will be cast)
Do i need glasses with IR and UV protection?
Am i missing anything obvious?


OK, now the main topic:

I am well aware of the need of for the work area to be kept away from any moisture. the area i will be casting in has a cement floor and i know tis is B-A-D. I am curious over how many of you have decided to set up your work areas in regards to what you have under the furnace should a leak strike or some other disaster. at the moment i am thinking getting a plastic sand pit from a kmart and filling it with sand(obviously) and placing the furnace inside, as well as performing casting inside.

would there be any problems with this and would i have to use a special sand. the area is under the house and would be covered when not in use also.

or is there a simple answer that one of you uses and works fine?

Hi Pickle_64,

Casting over dry sand is good, under the house? I'm not so sure about. If you are useing a kiln OK, but if useing a furnace what is going to hapen with the hot exaust?

Good luck.

Peter.

I think, maybe, he's just storing it under the house and will pull it out to cast.
Keep it well covered, Cats are atracted to sand.
I've used an old top from a clothes dryer, but still seem to get Aluminum in between the paver blocks on my patio. It prys out pretty easily.

Sounds like you have it pretty well covered, Pickle. Too much, really. You probably won't be using all that safety gear on a regular basis, at a bare minimum the long gloves and a face shield are a must, but depending on the size furnace and crucible you have aluminum casting is fairly benign. Good for you for thinking ahead, however. A healthy respect for the dangers is a good thing, but too much gear will just be clumsy and cumbersome for a small pour. I don't think you will need a respirator or IR sunglasses for aluminum. If you do, you got it WAY too hot... You really don't need to worry about shaded goggles until you get up to iron temps. Then you need 'em just to see into the furnace.
As far as the floor, my foundry has an asphalt floor, covered in a thin layer of sand most of the time. It doesn't have to be a very thick layer of sand for safety, less than an inch would be sufficient I would think. Doesn't even need to be particularly good sand, just lay out a layer before you start and sweep it up when you are done. Cat proofs it that way. Put it down in the travel path where the crucible will be going, from furnace to flask area.

OddDuck wrote:
Sounds like you have it pretty well covered, Pickle. Too much, really. You probably won't be using all that safety gear on a regular basis, at a bare minimum the long gloves and a face shield are a must, but depending on the size furnace and crucible you have aluminum casting is fairly benign. Good for you for thinking ahead, however. A healthy respect for the dangers is a good thing, but too much gear will just be clumsy and cumbersome for a small pour. I don't think you will need a respirator or IR sunglasses for aluminum. If you do, you got it WAY too hot... You really don't need to worry about shaded goggles until you get up to iron temps. Then you need 'em just to see into the furnace.
As far as the floor, my foundry has an asphalt floor, covered in a thin layer of sand most of the time. It doesn't have to be a very thick layer of sand for safety, less than an inch would be sufficient I would think. Doesn't even need to be particularly good sand, just lay out a layer before you start and sweep it up when you are done. Cat proofs it that way. Put it down in the travel path where the crucible will be going, from furnace to flask area.

thanks oddDuck, i didn't think from the context that the overcompensation might present a new risk with clumsiness. also, the area i meant under the house is hard to explain, but it it ventilated well, with a roof above my head within arms reach. it is comparable to the places in restaurants on balconies where smokers would argue they are outside, while it is still illegal as they are sheltered.

...hope it helps. it seems like the best place for me conduct this work around the yard.