Metal Casting Zone

Can we start a list of sources that members have successfully salvaged metals from?

For example: I've heard ppl say that some engine parts were good for AL. This would be most informative for starters like me who are looking for source material for casting.

If everyone would post sources or PM me with verified sources (2 or more in the affirmative) I'll make a google document of it and publish it so everyone can use it. It could even include if the metal is alloyed or not ... or grades of metal. (remember, I'm a novice here so my terminology may be off ... but my ambition isn't )

Anyways ... let me know what ya think.

I think its great what you are trying to do, but as im sure most would agree our sources for materials changes with what is available. We are not metalurgests and doubt any of us have a way to identify the different alloys. (jammer excluded)
Sometimes its better off to just hit it with a file or drill and get a feel of what you have in hand, then melt it and lable it like a fine wine and save it for the job best suited. I know it sounds weird but most of us can feel the metal and know what it is good for. Then again maybe im just plain nuts

I'll go with "just plain nuts"

But really. It doesn't have to be as sophisticated as I would like it to be. It could just be some one saying, "hey I stripped a mobile home and found that the trailer tongue was good for iron", or "soda cans = trash" ... either way it directs my path as I search for stuff to melt. I don't live around a foundry or know of many metal working shops nearby (although there could very well be many) so I trying to get ideas of where and how to scavenge for scrap metal.


One man's trash ... er ... ya know!

Sounds like you need to go cruise the neighborhood on trash day, some older vaccums have die cast zinc or aluminum motors and impellers, newer bicycles aluminum frames, sewing machines al and zinc, computers have some aluminum in them, window air conditioners al and copper, Just got to look. Best bet for me has been used automotive parts for aluminum such as heads and water pumps, blocks cast iron. storm doors are aluminum, storm windows al. Hard to even think of what all there is untill you see it and take it apart.

So ... it should look like this

Aluminum
Newer bicycle frames
Computers
air conditioners
automotive: heads and water pumps
storm doors/storm windows

Cast Iron
Engine Block

Copper
air conditioner

you cleaned up my mess quite well lol looks good.

Here are a couple charts that somewhat explain Aluminum alloys. Sometimes these are more confusing than helpful because a chart won't have an alloy your familiar with. The Foundry Fopar boys have the most down to earth chart and has been helpful for me. They also have an excllent Brass chart, and a good section on cast iron. They seem to have a lot of fun while they're at it.

www.foundry-fopars.co.uk/
www.cast-alloys.com/products/lm_chart.htm

i go by feel as well but the recycling guide is best to go by till you develop a feel for things. when you get a peice of scrap what is it? what did it work as???if you melt this metal then its reasonable to assume that if a part similar to the original is cast then it would be fine. people spend yrs at school to learn the difference and get highly paid as a result!with backyard casting never trust your life on your castings. like im not about to cast a ladder bracket and stand 100 ft off the ground on it!

It's important to make sure of what your melting. If your not sure something is Aluminium or Magnesium then file a spot bare and put some Muratic acid or even white Vinigar on it. If it bubbles it's Magnesium. Avoid fireworks and damage to you equipment or yourself.

If Mg is so pyro-reactive, why make stuff out of it?