Turning Cast AL

[cg 2005]

First a thank you to Ray C for recommending WD-40 for machining my cast material.

Yesterday I cast two rods by punching a hole in the ground next to my foundry and pouring in the melt. One rod was about 1" OD and 12" long. The second one was about 1.75" OD. and is pictured here chucked up in this photo:



The piece is not securely held in the chuck so the first order of business was to true one end and rechuck the piece.



After that it was just a matter of truing the entire length.



I used WD-40 very liberally.



I ran the lathe at 130 rpm and the fastest feed rate I can.

The final piece turned true at 1.5" OD.

I am pleased with the casting.

 

[Chucketn]

Great when a plan comes together, isn't it!

Chuck

 

[Ray C]

CG...

Glad it worked out. I'm mad at you now though 'cause you got me thinking about doing AL and Brass casting :LOL:. I need another iron in the fire like I need a hole in the head.

Oh, if you like the WD 40 trick, just wait till you discover that a mix of kerosene and auto-trans fluid works just as good (for these purposes) with a 4x reduction in cost per gallon. I use it for turning on the lathe and mill work -all metals. (not as a flood coolant though -just for spot lube).

Ray