Melting Aluminum and Copper

Melting scrap Aluminum and Copper in a homemade propane smelter into 5 pound molds.
How to build smelter
• How To Build The Propa...
Mold Dispenser Link
• The Mold Dispenser

[@ronyerke9250]

I love your mold tipper. That looks like quite a time saver.

[@brianprince7364]

I really liked this video. no talking just showing your setup and getting it done. That mold with a built in dumping handle is genius. you should produce and sell them.

[@tickmothy]

I love how copper makes that green flame at the top.

[@MrBoromir123]

The copper is such a lovely colour when it's poured

[@Kamal_AL-Hinai]

Have you seen brass?

[@lays8818]

make more melting vids, this is one of the better ones on youtube

[@liamthekiller100]

Isn't it ironic how cool really hot stuff is?

[@technoturkey5528]

HAHA, nice one

[@al9094]

Makes you want to reach out and touch it .go a head i dare you

[@thelordship3120]

Very nice setup with the block dispenser

[@sharptoothtrex4486]

Mixing copper, aluminum and tin all melted together is a great idea creating you own kind of non-rusted bronze metal I came up with.

[@callietho]

Also, great video, not to long, and the close ups of the cooling ingot were cool. Your setup is really neat as well.

[@nobilismaximus]

You need charcoal in the melt pot and a lid on the mold or some sort. Copper will absorb 100% of its own weight in O2. If you look for copper water casting you'll see some pretty clean oxide free casts done that way.

[@thegamerweeb5140]

this looks cool I would love to try this when I'm older

[@jerrywhidby5259]

I like the handle for your crucible. I don't believe I've seen one like it before.

[@jerrywhidby5259]

Could be modified easily to allow for the handle to lay down. Then the crucible size could be increased.

[@dpasek1]

Iron is slightly soluble in aluminum at its melting temperature. When you use a steel or iron crucible to melt aluminum, what you get is a contaminated mess. The longer you heat, the worse it gets. Iron is very detrimental to the physical properties of aluminum alloys. Do it right and go buy a silicon carbide crucible. Ceramic also works but doesn't last as long. Don't bother melting it if you are going to sell it for scrap.

[@Arditi_3]

i just received my ingot and its Awesome. I told my mom to leave you a 5-star review. I also just showed my friend and he wants to buy one so next time you sell one let me know

[@12345boehm]

+Suzuki 747 ok i can list some more for sale on Saturday might not ship right away because of work

[@Arditi_3]

Ok cool

[@12345boehm]

+Suzuki 747 got some more for sale www.ebay.com/sch/12345boehm/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

[@seehearspeaknoevil5090]

I love how quiet it is as if im doing it myself and i never done this butt it never gets old love to see the colors and slight bit of danger

[@ricilgrosjean675]

Trop beau le métal sous sa forme liquide, cool vidéo 🤟👍

[@vobinhthu5299]

This project is very good!

[@emachine310]

That's an awesome set up. Looking forward to making my own one day

[@WhuuSamba]

nice work dude, melting alu by my selfe

[@650r_haz]

some how this video is very satisfying

[@kyerobinson8097]

Awesome video, very nifty ingot 'dispenser'. I was wondering what kind of refractory you used for your foundry/furnace? Thanks

[@coolobuttface]

I couldn't help but notice that unlike most homemade furnaces the that introduce the heat source offset from the side to provide a swirling action surrounding the crucible, your come in from the bottom with stand-offs to elevate the crucible some distance above the flame. Is that better than what all these other guys do?

[@12345boehm]

+coolo the other way you can get more heat and is more efficient but at the time i built this i thought it would be easier and a lot cheaper

[@StevenSchoolAlchemy]

that looks like fun

[@nodrama490]

Thank you for video, it is strangely satisfying

[@nathansmith6685]

I checked with my local scrap company and they told me that unless I can prove the grade of material that they only pay for old aluminum when its melted down into ingots. They said that it is a waste of time for people to do this, and if you think about it once you separate the old from the clean there is a good difference in price between them so your actually throwing away cash by just melting it all down because you need to add the cost of fuel and your time.

[@Jspilman27]

Nathan Smith I get 50 cents a pound for sheet aluminum and 40 for extruded. However I get 75 for my bars. And I have a huge dump trailer that I used to fill 8 feet high with side was on and I would get only 1000 pounds or so in it. The last load of bars I took in was in the box of a pickup and received 1400$ they take up less room I have to travel 200kms to the scrap yard so in my case it works great

[@fladoodel]

Sell ingots on ebay

[@rickydona919]

I see a lot of impurities in the copper.

[@XtraCrispy]

I dont know why, but they look so beautiful to me :D

[@bikefarmtaiwan1800]

Thanks for posting!

[@brendaliz4747]

Make more molds at the same time 😍

[@techworksinfo]

Good work bro

[@lukerule5700]

Cool video! I just built a crucible and bout the other stuff and ready to make some ingots

[@AverageYouTuber]

Hows that goin for ya

[@MrMagichobo21]

Do you think you could make a video showing your setup? Or more specifically your ingot mold/dispenser?

[@12345boehm]

I will me making a video in the next couple of months on how to build the smelter and the mold/dispenser.

[@headstocktailstock]

like the mold [your not "smelting" your re- melting] good vid

[@Jspilman27]

Great video gives me some good ideas how to improve my molds and I like your crucible handles smart

[@Supertomiman]

Good entrepreneural spirit.

[@tracychapman1000]

Hello Sir I melted some copper in a waste oil furnace then i made some ingots for future casting but when i tried to melt the same ingots i made before i couldn't melt them in the same furnace and same temperature i don't why i failed can you give me some advices please thank you

[@12345boehm]

+tracychapman1000 it will take your ingots like 5 to 10 times longer to heat up depends on how big they are. the outside of the bar might look like it is melting but the inside will take a while to heat up

[@tracychapman1000]

12345boehm thanks for the reply i'll wait for long time then

[@gamertime7605]

PRETTY COOL MAN

[@steviesuperstar]

is that a waste oil burner using a hairdryer. that looks pretty proficient can you show/ tell how you done it . im guessing its drip fed through gravity but how do you get it started

[@12345boehm]

it is just a propane burner i haven't built a waste oil one yet but hopefully soon

[@ForrestJ88]

Amazing video.

[@TheShowgunofHarlem]

Awesome set up, but I hate when someone goes thru all of the trouble to make a video and post it, but dont show the finished product.

[@meltingdcopper5227]

That’s a dope ingot molds setup you have there.. I’m just getting into Melting copper I have a couple videos out I would love to hear your feedback and maybe even some tips thank you

[@trevethan82319841]

I like that mold that dumps the ingot how did you make it ?

[@12345boehm]

yup all homeade here is link on how i made it kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2XQdYGAnL-Hl7M

[@davidduncan3659]

I’d like to know more about those molds

[@12345boehm]

this one is a 5 pound copper graphite mold got of ebay

[@hausemaster2b2t]

4:03 It looks like it is frozen under a cover of ice or frozen

[@TreasureByMeasure]

One of these days I'm going to try this..

[@bostitchrider2026]

I keep saying the same thing.lol

[@ItAintJustPaint]

You work for propane, so you can moonlight as a smelter?

[@Gdog1920]

How much does it cost to melt aluminum and is it worth the time and money to do it for scrapping?

[@12345boehm]

you can make a small profit melting it down but it is mostly for the fun of it and i don't worry about making a profit or not

[@Jspilman27]

Yes you can I built one very similar to the one in the video using waste oil. Fill the trunk of your car and the back seat full of bars compared to truck loads of aluminum. Also I get paid 50 % more for bars i melt down copper windings from transformers that would be classified as shit copper. After they are meted they are clean bright

[@robertschaeffer5861]

Thanks for the video excellent demo...

[@alan30189]

Are you melting aluminum cans or other types of aluminum? Are aluminum cans worth the trouble to melt down to recycle for more $$$, or should I just turn in the cans at the recycler? How long do the ingots take to cool off before you can dump them out of the mold?

[@12345boehm]

i don't melt any cans anymore you get quit a bit slag and is just easier to take to scrap yard unless you have no other aluminum to melt. i usually let sit in mold till top is solid and wait like half minute or so if you have to make another pour right away

[@martinf6448]

Worlds loudest hairdryer.

[@prairiemountaineer]

Great Video, love your setup

[@Quaght]

Are you using just propane or are you adding air to melt the copper?

[@12345boehm]

+Quaght just propane and adding forced air to get temperature higher or it will not melt

[@Quaght]

That's what I thought. Thank you.

[@rhomanmason8131]

that was so cool my friend I think I might give it a go I'm subscribed liked and notified :)

[@conordrewett4074]

That was so metal.

[@brandona4618]

What crucible are u using or did you make yours from heavy guage steel? Looking to be doing the same with my copper and aluminum

[@12345boehm]

ya it is just a .25 inch think pipe with a plate welded on bottom

[@Mrbobbyboo]

Is the fire green

[@RobbyJHope]

How less pure is the copper using this method?

[@leapinglemur452]

How do you protect yourself from the fumes? The fumes from welding, melting ect. aluminum are very dangerous.

[@12345boehm]

most of time just go up wind

[@titou1384]

I was wondering if you were using any kind of flux with the aluminium ?

[@12345boehm]

no i never used any flux

[@alphaomega8373]

the copper looks tasty :D

[@SuperHurdman]

what is the difference in price being done like this compared if you were to leave it in a wire form

[@12345boehm]

not sure on that but a guess would be like 50to 90 cents

[@thomasr.miller5553]

Great Video , Now show us how to make free methane for that furnace so we can make a profit on smelting ..Thanks.

[@kevinfuchs9653]

Is that a charcoal furnace you are using? Maybe got a video how you made the furnace?

[@12345boehm]

just a propane furnace link on how to build it kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4OpeXxumNh0j68

[@Indiana_James]

are you mostly scrapping this material? or are you saving it to cast things later?

[@12345boehm]

i am saving most of it for later

[@dsherrrrr27]

What do you do with the finished product?

[@12345boehm]

What ever you would like to do with the almost pure metal.

[@manns101101]

1:03 - the T1000

[@Mirandorl]

4:27 one seriously powerful hairdryer

[@justinfoster6135]

I know what your thinking the hairdryer made it so hot

[@FixAllFixer62]

what is the unit pour melt in to did you make it

[@12345boehm]

+donald laisure (73SuperGlide62) it is a 5 pound copper mold of ebay and the mold is mounted to kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2XQdYGAnL-Hl7M

[@Humoud86]

soooo lovely video. thanks. what is the fire used? gas? and what are the material made to carry the melt? iron?

[@12345boehm]

+The Desert Wolf propane and steel crucible

[@jamierochlitz3542]

What happens if you mix them? Can you make copper that is less likely to oxidate

[@12345boehm]

not sure i have never tried to mix before but probably be something like brass but instead of zinc has aluminum

[@deutschlandairsoft5980]

how long does it take for the Aluminum, and Copper to solidify

[@12345boehm]

+Juicy Bunz about 1 minute for Aluminum and copper around 45 seconds till it basically becomes a solid again

[@Battlemaster44]

Is that steel in the middle of your furnace

[@12345boehm]

yes a steel pipe

[@griffinday4600]

What is the pot that its smelted in made of and how to make or buy where

[@ronnyschaefer]

how much do you get for each mold when selling the molds? great video! very interesting stuff, nice setup!

[@XXplaythegamesXX]

bohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh , I LIKE THAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Coyote27981]

what are you using as a burner and fuel? is it much harder to melt copper than alu? great setup you got there, congrats.

[@12345boehm]

Coyote27981propane weed burner, with this setup it is easy to melt copper and aluminum just takes a little longer to heat the copper to start to melt it

[@babajancenter-pb8oo]

hey nice work man do you use any powder to melt the copper or you just use fire only

[@12345boehm]

just the propane burner from the side with a separate 90 angle pipe to move the flame directly underneath the crucible.

[@dave858man2]

how long did it take to get that much copper into the molten state? is that just a tiger torch you used? I'm thinking on casting a copper heat sink and aim wondering what its going to require

[@12345boehm]

about 15 20 minutes on my new foundry is faster to melt once it is heated but takes little longer to heat up

[@Cmcmillen77]

What do u do with the ingots after? Where did u get all this material to melt down?

[@12345boehm]

got it all from scraping and cleaning up around the yard. just stacking them up for now

[@LoniWulff]

Do you have your weed burner just on "idle" with the hairdryer blowing up the same spot or do you tape your handle so your weed torch is basically in high gear?

[@12345boehm]

I just have the valve open about half depends on what temperature you want it at and blower fan at full speed the more air the better more heat.

[@aceseightsazhvacsparkyandg8138]

Dose the melting get the higher price for the copper and aluminum?

[@12345boehm]

a little bit but it is more for the fun of it not the profit

[@majesticgopher115]

What I don't understand about videos like this one is, what do you need all that aluminum for?

[@12345boehm]

+Majestic Gopher to make more pure and it is worth more at the junk yard scrap place and it is something to do on the days of

[@majesticgopher115]

+12345boehm when u say worth more. do you mean u can sell it? If so where?

[@12345boehm]

+Majestic Gopher ya at the scrap place they pay a bit more for it

[@eucme9716]

love the honcho

[@maurosalas5981]

Hi, hoy do you madre Or get the molds

[@2000136496]

What is your crucible made of steel or iron?

[@12345boehm]

+Jared C. steel

[@urbanitesgarage3299]

+12345boehm Where did you get it?

[@12345boehm]

+Urbanite Survival build it out of 4.5 inch pipe and welded a .25 inch plate on the bottom of it

[@AsifAli-vr1tk]

from which metal this bucket made

[@12345boehm]

just a regular steel pipe1/4 inch with 1/4 in plate on bottom

[@colincrooky]

Does she get to use her hairdryer again? Thank you, Colin

[@12345boehm]

haha no lol

[@josealberto6612]

Saludo amigo me puede esplicar de k material esta echo el envase donde se derrite el aluminio

[@12345boehm]

just a 1/4 inch thick pipe if i remember right it is 5 inch wide. then it just has a 1/4 inch plate welded on the bottom and a repair handle on top

[@shaggy_e210]

what would happen if you made an aluminum copper alloy

[@12345boehm]

i couldn't tell ya i never tried it before

[@TheRedneckAtheist]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_bronze

[@qasirabas5540]

Pearce Sampley

[@roblostandlate.6005]

Pearce Sampley. Copper mixed with aluminium = aluminium bronze, a common alloy used in many industrial applications.

[@heinzhubbuch5167]

HOW DO YOU GET THE COPPER TO RUN SO SMOOTHLY? when i pour just one lb. bar the last of it hardens right in he pour? and my copper seems thicker and yours runs like water? im heating to 1200??? what am i doing wrong?

[@12345boehm]

the aluminum melts at 1200 about and copper is around 1975 degrees and it seems to work better when the temperature is like at least half as much more of that so copper at like 2500 or more so when cools down some it stays more liquid. and to i had 5 some pounds in crucible so that would take a little more longer to cool then the 1, But i would say get it hot as possible and poor it fast as you can once you turn the heat down

[@bigmiked52]

Do you get more at the scrapyard like that

[@12345boehm]

i am guessing a little bit more but i haven't sold any yet

[@jakelanier4042]

Hey, have you ever thought about waste oil fuel?

[@12345boehm]

+Jake Lanier yes i actually was looking for some supplies and planning on building one in the summer hopefully

[@ridge2244]

Good tutorial

[@Gweilow]

Do you have to add anything to the copper to get impurities out?

[@12345boehm]

no just charcoal to help with the slag

[@Gweilow]

Cool. Thanks!

[@nbrunojunior]

Like a boss.

[@Lordhermitcrab]

How'd you make that crucible? It's really good.

[@12345boehm]

+Lordhermitcrab 4.5 inch steel pipe and a 1/4 inch steel plate welded on the bottom

[@gurmeetsingh-wo6vq]

12345boehm ,,,is this take a more time to melt,,why you do not use powder silicon type crucible,,,

[@bfries555]

gurmeet singh because you are gay

[@gurmeetsingh-wo6vq]

@@bfries555 🙊🙉🙈😅😅😅😅

[@bfries555]

gurmeet singh and ur mom gay

[@calebtee9766]

what did you use as a crucible for the copper? I've been using steel exhaust pipe but it always seems to destroy my crucible. I've had some copper melt but when I add more it's like if hardens

[@12345boehm]

it is a .25 inch pipe and plate on bottom. probably not getting enough heat if it hardens. that is what happened with my very first foundry

[@gurmeetsingh-wo6vq]

Which kind of air blower, oil or gas are u using,,can you show me that

[@12345boehm]

the cheapest hair dryer from the store and ran of propane through the weed burner

[@adenoffenberger2397]

What kind of crucible is that I used a graphite one and melted right through it

[@12345boehm]

+aden offenberger steel crucible

[@master1900mc]

What fuel are you using to melt copper? Is charcoal enough or you need other things like propane?

[@12345boehm]

just propane, on my very first foundry i used charcoal and it works pretty good to melt copper

[@master1900mc]

12345boehm that's good. I don't know if charcoal is indeed cheper than propane (I guess it is). Also I think charcoal is way easier to use and less risky

[@zachbourque6947]

I call hacks we gotta a hacker! Call the Po Po!!!!!