CASTING A FIRE ANT MOUND IN IRON

This is a demonstration of pouring molten cast iron into a fire ant mound and capped off the first annual Windy Hill Foundry Logo Cast for KZbin creators on March 12th and 13th 2020.
Despite the doom and gloom the media is striving for using covid-19 as their back drop, it didn't stop us from having an awesome time and already planning the next event in 2021.
#covid19#windy hill foundry #fire ants #mississippi

[@CEOkiller]

I hope those ants rust in peace...

[@vulpecula297]

This is one of the most American videos I've ever seen.

[@leannkennedy6568]

Pretty cool to see Iron used instead of aluminum.

[@MyLooneyBin]

WOW! talk about being glad you had safety gear on! NICE

[@marktheshark9903]

Me:die ants, die.... Ants: we all good fams, it was just some water. Me: WHAT THE ACTUAL-

[@lloyd4768]

That's not only cool but a great way to get rid of fire ants!!

[@cyrilhudak4568]

Ha

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

I guess I vaporized them😁

[@CastIronGypsy]

Thanks again for letting me pour with you! It was a great time, I had so much fun and learned so much from you and the rest of the crew!! Can’t wait until next year!!

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

I enjoyed it too and yes, next year will be much better planned👍

[@leeroyholloway4277]

Really enjoying your channel. Congratulations on the rise in subscriptions after Adam's endorsement.

[@lance9101970]

How did the ant hill cast turn out I think they are awesome natural art and a great way to get rid of pests

[@1ttanker]

If they allow it I bet you could do something with that (*smile*)

[@ElectricalExistence]

You're supposed to build up a mound around it before you pour to prevent all that spill off

[@Thewulf56]

Well, it didn't turn out to bad. The pour looked like a volcano erupting. I used an old electric motor casing to try and keep the metal in one area. It sounded so cool hearing the metal traveling down through the mound, kinda sounded like mini explosions deep in the ground. Cool, I hope you pour some more, love watching these.

[@MarciaCristina-hl8th]

ķ Mm mi ķ8jloo

[@bkhawaii]

Obi-Wan: I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. (;

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

The ants were served an eviction notice a week prior to the event

[@a_phillips_head_screwdrive5859]

POV You are dropping bombshell over Hiroshima

[@brinsonharris9816]

The ant had high hopes, he had high hopes, he had high in the sky apple pie hopes, then came the lethal flood of molten iron that killed the whole colony.

[@sarahfields288]

I like the squelchy bubbly sounds

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

That would be the moisture in the ground coming to a boil

[@nitronorman1491]

Fire burn! Awesome.

[@brendawalker5644]

Awesome 👍👍

[@aussiecoastie72]

Good to see correct PPE 👏👍 awesome

[@racesmith3075]

Gimme one step, gimme one step, mister, gimme one step toward the door! Gimme one step, just one step mister and you won't see me no more (yer background music fits that song- and that song suits the ants! They're asking for just one more second before pfffffffffffsssssssstt ! Popped ants😅🤣

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Fried ants, a southern treat.

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

🤣I've had some strange dishes in the past but ants wasn't on the list

[@aliceharvey1226]

Windy Hill Foundry I’ve heard of chocolate covered ants. No desire to try them.

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

@@aliceharvey1226 🤣

[@dillydallydollcomachineand8246]

Pretty awesome nice celebrity camera man .

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

Yes, I'm very fortunate to have Adam along with the others. I consider them all family👍

[@Machine_NZ]

Hi Clarke, excellent couple of videos with Adam and the others. Foundry work is so interesting. Keep the videos coming....All the best Kevin

[@5150on420]

Wow! That's impressive. So much more intense than aluminum

[@CraigLYoung]

Can't think of a better way to deal with fire ants.

[@TroyeWelch]

I had thought about doing this, but we don’t really have fire ants around (or any big ants for that matter) out here. I’m glad that your few steam “pops” weren’t more violent, as the very few I’ve had when pouring iron were much more violent than those from just pouring aluminum. Anyway, good times!

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

I'm actually thinking if we do this again we will try to torch the mound and dry it out next time

[@StripeyType]

@@windyhillfoundry5940 It looks as though the ant nest might go much deeper, also? Was that what that central column of iron was? If that's the case maybe something to act as a pouring cup of some sort to build some head pressure and drive the iron down further?

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

Yes, I never cast an ant bed before so I thought ramming a tire tool in the bed would do the trick but I needed a steel ring

[@StripeyType]

@@windyhillfoundry5940 I really look forward to all the next things you try. I'm just getting started making the shift from Al to Fe, and the size of the operation is a challenge because I'm doing this in my tiny backyard in the city, so everything needs to be able to move. No anthills here, but I hope to turn out at least good model engine parts.

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

@@StripeyType good luck👌, I'm afraid if I lived in the city my neighbors would have me arrested😞

[@richardsworldtraveleryoutu9274]

I used to just put firecrackers in the opening. This looks like much more fun.

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

My brother and I use to shove pipe bombs in them when we were kids. Talk about craters and ants would be all over us😬

[@donnywt3195]

I like it.can’t believe I missed this one

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

It had rained the night before. That caused steam to spew out of the ground within a 10ft radius

[@moistmike4150]

I hates me some Fire Ants, but I fear they will soon develop resistance to our molten metal attacks and evolve into Invincible Ants.

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

I hates em too👍

[@lindamazzella1295]

Her he probably cheating me and the boys casting iron in an ant hill.

[@scrappinbig2239]

Now that's what you call fighting fire ants with fire , molten iron fire ! Loved that one ! Turning the table on the fire ants !

[@mrc4912]

A difference of 2,771 degrees vs 1,221, not to mention the difference in weight. Nice job!

[@grumpyg9350]

That was cool. Fun to watch👍👍👍👍👍👏🏻

[@nover0570]

Tropic Cascade!

[@charlieromeo7663]

I hope as many as possible fire ants were harmed in this video. Very interesting. Thanks

[@mochaeunice2202]

be careful when ant canada see this video

[@nowasiwassaying...1699]

It's like Pompeii for ants lol

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

Mt vesuvius rains again😁

[@carlwhite8225]

That was way cool.

[@arnoldsmachinetool4632]

Very good video Enjoyed seeing fire ants get a taste of their own medicine. Have done the getting top less dance ( that was Not pretty at all ) had over 80 bites. Thank you for sharing

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

I hate fire ants with a passion🤣

[@thomream1888]

Uh, can I try this with my mother-in-law in her basement? Yeah, I know it'll take a lot of metal, but I've been saving junked cars... and if I tell her there's a free bingo game card down there she'll be there for months.

[@nashguy207]

Love all your content. More videos is all i have to say. Adam a pretty good guy as well!!!

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

Thanks, as I can I will keep them coming. 👌

[@Washman-jw3hl]

Wow. Not as finesse as aluminum pours but when I saw the title I had to click on this one. I'm going to subscribe for sure. Looks like you have a lot of cool things happening here.

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

Thanks, because of the moisture from the rain the day before this didn't turn out like I had hoped

[@navybee5301]

*later that day* Man bit by ants

[@aleroxit]

Cool

[@brucefaz55]

great video love the cast iron trophy!

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

Thankyou

[@vitorbonifacio3550]

now thats metal! \m/

[@jamesh5460]

Yes! Looks way more cool than aluminum during the pour (cool meaning flaming orange hot) and it gets rid of the little monsters

[@itsmeagain7825]

For some reason I'm here but that was cool !

[@bcbloc02]

Very Cool! Lucky there wasn't more moisture in the ground looks like it could have gotten pretty wild!

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

You're right, we've had a lot of rain but being on a hill helps👍

[@philsergent1913]

Holy Moly!

[@toad3048]

Found you through Abom79 Adam video. Great content! Thank you. My Grandfather was a mould maker at the turn of the 20th century Canada.

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

I have the upmost respect for foundryman, especially from your grandfather's era. Those guys had to know their stuff.

[@toad3048]

@@windyhillfoundry5940 Thank for the reply and the tip of your hat. He worked for Harris Tractor which became Massey Harris and then Massey Ferguson. Harris retooled both in 1914 and 1939 for the war effort. My grandfather retired in 1955 after starting work at 13 in 1898. He liked to work:)

[@rogerdeane3608]

Well done

[@HydroMaester]

Neat, I have never seen this done with CI before!

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

As far as I know we are the first👍. We may be doing it again this spring👍

[@RickRose]

That must have been satisfying. Those little bastards are horrible. Stay safe!

[@ivymoon1779]

I'm partial to iron. Married to a blacksmith.

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

You may be interested to know my great grandfather along with great great grandfather were blacksmiths. I still have their Queens Dudley anvil and their shop was where my foundry is today.

[@ivymoon1779]

@@windyhillfoundry5940 That is impressive!!

[@floridaflywheelersantiquee7578]

That’s cool

[@1jtolvey]

TOOO COOOL !!!

[@cognacmuzik5634]

So this is how fire ants are made 🤔

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

👍

[@chrisduitsman2918]

That is pretty cool. Most use aluminum for ant colony castings, you guys used iron, which pretty neat.

[@clubhouseme]

still prefer the aluminum but it was cool to see it blow up when they poured it

[@gwharton68]

Fight fire with fire. Great video!

[@coinsmith]

Love it! Cook those little SOBs!

[@clydebalcom8252]

That looks so gnarly. I like it.

[@woodscreekworkshop9939]

You would make more money selling those as fine arts than squares to poor machinists 😁

[@gavinb9627]

Thanks so much for the video, I have just come across for Adam's channel to have a look. Laura certainly wasn't scared of getting her hands dirty. Could you use bondo to shape the patterns for a better mold release? Stay safe, and hopefully this drama will be behind us soon. Condolences to those who have lost loved ones.

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

Thanks and yes you can use bondo, water putty or even thick coats of paint. Anything to aid in slicking up the sides helps

[@YD-uq5fi]

Iron???? That has a melting point way higher.

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

Yes, too hot for ants🐜🐜🐜

[@imarriedabrkfsttaco3737]

I....AM...IRON...ANT!

[@StripeyType]

Man that makes a rude sound. It sounds about like my little boy filling his diaper.

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

Yes that's the ground moisture

[@phlodel]

Making fire ants live (die?) up to their name.

[@ryelor123]

The DNR or other government agencies in areas infested with fire ants should pay people a bounty for doing this. Like pay for the cost of the metal + an extra $10

[@fredferd965]

If you do that again, you should first check where your water and power lines are buried.

[@OldIronShops]

That is not the sound I would have expected.

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

That was moisture in the ground

[@OldIronShops]

@@windyhillfoundry5940 I figured . Sounds like oatmeal cooking 😋

[@dmacd2787]

Making art outa ants!! Love it!!!!

[@eccentrickiwicreative2962]

Hi there. Interesting furnace design. Are you dribbling diesel into a hot burn chamber off to the side rather than fancy nozzles etc?

[@matthewmorrisdon5491]

Aluminum cools faster but finished is cooler.

[@randallpetroelje3913]

Iron does it. Thanks 😂👍

[@kylechapin1057]

ABOM!!!

[@MaKaRoNy960]

so aluminium doesnt fart unlike iron

[@loisbernardes7940]

very good you, lois bernardes brazil

[@Paul-vk3gh]

Liquid hot MAG-ma

[@MaKaRoNy960]

big boys toy

[@killerkane1957]

Ok. I’m a 63 year-old Texas rancher. So I savvy fire ants. I’ve worked with metals for at least 50 years. But no work in casting. However, putting the two together should be no problem. Like a lot of folks, I’ve seen ant castings. No mystery, right? Wrong. My dilemma: what is the best way to prepare a mound for casting? If you just scrape the mound away, you will fill openings. I think you made a riser of sorts. I haven’t noticed this in other castings but you are a PRO so you followed your instinct. There has to be some “trick” to prepare the mound that minimizes tunnel closure? Any advise? Su Amigo.

[@FireHeart2829]

I've seen others use sand around the mound and vacuum off the top

[@killerkane1957]

Genius!! Thank you!

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

I am no pro at ant casting, this was the only attempt I've ever made and looking back at it, I would have scraped the ground flat letting the tucked off ants push out any clogged passages ad they start coming out of the ground. Then I would have used a large diameter piece of pipe to pour into and as the pour pools in the pipe I would think the iron would flow into the passages easily as it is kept hot by the overhead basin. I shoved a tire tool down the center of this mound and I'm sure I choked off a lot of passages because of it

[@Mistertbones]

Fire ants getting what they deserve!

[@user-pk9lq7bb2j]

Fire ants or burned ants ?

[@tomscott4723]

Very cool! Abom is liable to show up anywhere? haha

[@a_phillips_head_screwdrive5859]

LMG MOUNTED AND LOADED

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

👍

[@mzzm9484]

Hi everyone, following Abom79 I discovered this very interesting site. I have three questions to ask you. First, does the cast iron smelting furnace work on coal? Second, I knew that graphite crucibles were attacked and destroyed by molten cast iron since carbon is incorporated in cast iron when it is at high temperature. Instead your crucibles don't look deteriorated. Or do you use a crucible for a few castings and then throw it away? third, at point 0:44 of the video what do you throw in the cast iron? Thanks for your attention.

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

Mz am I use diesel to fire the furnace. I use clay graphite crucibles and yes the deteriorate but I usually get around 20 or so melts before I retire these. As many times as I have tried to count the uses on one, I switch out to different sizes before I finish one off so I lose track. The flux I add is to make the dross collect to the top better for a cleaner pour. Its pearlite

[@mzzm9484]

@@windyhillfoundry5940 Thank you, I really appreciate your availability.

[@thechariotcard]

Once you make these, what do you do with them?

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

It's just display art.

[@ludwigiapilosa508]

Dumb question: what is the container the molten metal is in made from? Why doesn't it melt and how is it made?

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

The crucibles are clay and graphite and these are rated at 2900°f

[@ludwigiapilosa508]

@@windyhillfoundry5940 thanks

[@evr4921]

Any chance you could open this opportunity to others interested in casting iron other than KZbin creators, how about us KZbin watchers. We’re learning from all of you and would to do too.

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

We are doing this again next year and I will send out information for any of you who want to attend. I can't take too many but we will have a better plan for the next one👍

[@lukebeakum1316]

Can sulfuric acid kill fire ants?

[@jamesgreene4879]

That's a little dangerous pouring molting iron into a damp ant nest!

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

Yep, I assumed the ground was dryer than that.

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

Is that Abom I heard?

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

Yes Adam was operating the camera 👍

[@0xABADCAFE]

Next time just use thermite.

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

Been there👍

[@mohammedismail677]

This is far out man. 😖😖😖

[@alejandrocivitanovae8320]

I would like you to do the same with the White House when the president is inside

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

You aren't alone👍

[@windyhillfoundry5940]

You aren't alone👍

[@ryanr9299]

Murderers!

[@turbine_doctor]

For those who whine about PPE...

[@rashidnaga]

it is cruel.

[@leonlosan8383]

Very cool the iron casting!❤ You've a 10 in melting! But for further better works as another aluminum casting videos in youtube, you should build a sand wall next time; around the fire ant hole. This would help you to push pressure and the molten iron could go further down, so you could achieve a "taller" structure. Is very joyful to see iron intead of aluminum❤❤ Thanks guys! Blessings and good luck in your current and future works!❤❤❤