Sand mixer and mixing sand

I have another video dismantling my sand mixer for repairs • Sand mixer overhaul
This video is all about using a microwave oven controller for other purposes • Sand mixer overhaul
I did forget to mention that all percentages are by WEIGHT NOT BY VOLUME.

[@Teklectic]

Reusing a microwave controller for the timer is brilliant!

[@luckygen1001]

Thank you. It is a shame that more people don't use the timers from a microwave oven.

[@tobhomott]

Great info here about the percentages and the order of mixing for new greensand, thanks!

[@luckygen1001]

I see you have got your mixer up and running, so much better than mixing by hand!

[@fauziyanafadzil5445]

@@luckygen1001 hi i wanna ask how to measure the percentage? like is it in ml or kg unit?

[@Migueldeservantes]

I'm incredibly grateful. You are taking the time to share the knowledge and pass it on... It took me well over 3 months to learn how to do this on my own.. "With not coal" so thank you again and again!

[@cptrikester2671]

Great video. I just made my first aluminum casting / test today. Successful test of textures on lost foam. Long way to go yet. Your videos are a great help. Thanks.

[@luckygen1001]

That's great, have you made a video of the melt?

[@cptrikester2671]

@@luckygen1001 Recorded some but haven't reviewed it for editing yet. Asperations vs Reality. Super cool casting vs Learned a lot today. Great day. Will be posting when ready.

[@cptrikester2671]

@@luckygen1001 I just posted the results of my first casting tests. Pleased with the outcome. What should be put in the aluminum to separate the metal from the dross? I've seen many videos about this, but still questionable. Help very much appreciated.

[@danielcrawford7315]

Gota love this gentleman ingenuity! Learned so many things I would never have thought of. He's now become my favorite in this category. Thank you for sharing...and I guess I'm leaning the metric system to boot! Blessed day sirSir, Crawford out

[@luckygen1001]

that is why I started to melt metals to reuse things including electronics.

[@halletts1171]

Your sand muller is the best for a small production! Years ago I worked in a foundry (grey cast iron) as a molder and our night crew mulled thousands of tons of sand and on more than one pour got the moisture content wrong leading to amazing fireworks. I still pour Aluminum, Brass and Bronze with my own petrobond mix in my 55 gallon drum forge, but after watching this video I might try Green Sand again...Might be a whole bunch cheaper! Thanks for the informative video!

[@luckygen1001]

Anything is better than mixing sand by hand.

[@XavierAncarno]

Love how you make a specialized machine with washing machine part and microwave panel. Kudos for the ingenuosity

[@luckygen1001]

Recycling and reusing is better than paying full price.

[@nathanchalecki4842]

I came here to find a comment about that- ingenius!!

[@robcrawford9657]

Just starting out on my journey of casting. invaluable videos! many thanks.

[@jpjude68]

the sand mixer even has a fish and chicken setting. i love it!!

[@laverncarroll]

Your videos are awesome

[@pierremarcoux886]

I am very impress by your knowledge and i appreciate all your videos. You are definitely my mentor !!!! Very best regards

[@BeachsideHank]

Those microwave oven timers are handy, I made one for an electrical heating pad for sore muscles us old farts get. I can of course set the time but more importantly I can program and vary the power level, like two minutes on high, 8 minutes at 80% power, the thing works a treat. ☺

[@luckygen1001]

Microwave oven timers are seldom reused for other purposes, which is a shame because they are so useful.

[@BeachsideHank]

Yeah, I have to look away when I drive by one roadside now, too much parts of 'em on the shelf. I made several shop coolers from the squirrel cage venting blowers found in the high power over- the- stove models too, they can really move some air.

[@tomayrscotland6890]

Tommy Copland, I am learning well from all your videos, thanks,

[@gwheyduke]

I really need to build one of those. Looks like it works good.

[@flintstoneengineering]

Lots of questions answered, many thanks.

[@FredMiller]

Awesome description. I use Petrobond in my small aluminum foundry. Since it uses oil instead of water the explosion factor is greatly reduced. I believe Petrobond is more expensive but for the small castings I do for model steam engine work it works well. Thank you for sharing your expertise! Fred

[@DudleyToolwright]

Well done. Absolutely fascinating video.

[@niltonpolydoro1]

Congratulations from Brazil. Very nice video and thanks for sharing with us. Nilton Polydoro

[@luckygen1001]

Hello from Australia.

[@thatoneguy-rp7dh]

Nice use of a dismantled microwave.

[@dougalexander7204]

Fascinating.

[@admilsonalmondes5765]

Good job, easy and clean!

[@breadbaconcheese]

milling setting for beef and chicken!! hahahahah love it! subscribing!!

[@JulianMakes]

super useful video thanks loads.

[@ludditeneaderthal]

my water volume guess was 20% short, my weight guess was 50% short (300 ml, 7 lbs)... every episode an education!

[@anthonycrumpler8170]

If you don't mind me asking where do you get your coal dust from where I live we don't have any coal supplyers. Could you use charcoal dust as a substitute?

[@luckygen1001]

Just use sawdust and watch my video about that subject.

[@josephwijegoonewardena4404]

Thank you sir

[@stevenbuchanan9420]

Much respect for you sir.

[@amishmilitant4618]

I have casted aluminum, nothing else. I have to cast some finials for a very old wrought iron fence. I am making them out of cast iron. Do I have to add a flux to the molten cast Iron? Or do I just melt it and skim the dross off and pour? Thank you.

[@creast56]

Another great video/demonstration. I often wondered why your sand was grey when mine is orange coloured . Have only ever bought the sand in both green and oil bonded varieties but will now consider mixing my own once a muller is built. What type of base sand do you use? Once again thanks for entertaining and educating us. :-)

[@luckygen1001]

I have both green and oil sand. The sand you saw in the video came from a local sand pit. It is very fine and is used for swimming pool filters.

[@creast56]

Just one other question if you don't mind, do you mull oil based sand and include the burnt sand from the mould?

[@luckygen1001]

Yes I do mull oil based sand including the burnt sand. The sand now has a dark brown colour. I do not understand why people on youtube separate their oil based sands, mine has plenty of strength and I rarely add oil to it.

[@FloweringElbow]

Another great video thanks. May I ask, in relation to the central plough bit, Whats the curved central bit do/for? Is it just to keep the send out of the centre so it gets mixed?

[@luckygen1001]

Yes it is.

[@FloweringElbow]

@@luckygen1001 thanks :D I think making one of these things is in my future.... Microwave scavenging, here we come!

[@MarkATrombley]

Both links in the description take you to the rebuild.

[@gasonthebrain3738]

Can you explain why bentonite is the preferred clay? Have you ever tried any other type of clay? Thanks

[@luckygen1001]

Other clays will work but you will have to add much more than bentonite.

[@daveb5041]

*How did you make the microwave timer? Does it just have a relay it clicks on that normally goes to the magnetron? Or does it have a mosfet transistor out put and you just run that into a relay for the motor* Really good idea

[@luckygen1001]

All microwave oven timers have a relay which is switched on by an ic which does all the timing functions and clock. This is the reason why I use it because when the motor starts up it draws a lot of current and the relay is designed to take that large current surge.

[@clockguy2]

No setting for popcorn?

[@TheMainlinehobo]

what type of sand and what grade or size is it? Thanks so much!

[@MarkATrombley]

Are the percentages by weight or volume? Very interesting video.

[@antiussentiment]

You beet me to asking this very question.. ~ smiles ~

[@luckygen1001]

By weight.

[@ludditeneaderthal]

Mark, in any technical/scientific mixture, the ONLY way to assure consistent results in the real world is to proportion by mass. volume, especially of liquids, will vary based on temp and pressure, mass will remain constant. a gram of sand, or water, or clay, or coal dust, or chicken feathers will ALWAYS be a gram under any conditions our frail anatomy can survive. if a mixture is given in percentages, you can reasonably rest assured the units are those of mass unless volume is specified.

[@BobbyIronsights]

@@luckygen1001 Thank you, I had the same question.

[@sblack48]

Where did you get the mixing wheel from? Is it a flat belt pulley? A large castor wheel? Very effective machine. Thanks for posting.

[@luckygen1001]

I copied the design from a flat belt pulley, made a pattern and cast one in iron.

[@zedchannel]

Thanks for the videos, So much great info. I’m in Adelaide. Just started doing some casting, aluminium in greensand. Using bentonite and playpit sand. Getting sand from landscape suppliers. It was very fine. Went last week to get more and they said don’t have it anymore. New Gov regulations require playpits use soft fall sand. This stuff is really course. Don’t know how kids are gunna make sand castles with it. Same story everywhere I went. Do you buy special foundry sand and if so does it have some sort of grading as in grain size?

[@luckygen1001]

I get mine from a sand pit. I don't know what grade it is but this sand is used for swimming pool filters.

[@anuragbaheti5390]

What is the approx cost for making such mixer of quantity 300 kgs?

[@dingodog5677]

Love that mixer. 👍 thanks for the sand recipe😁 nice to know it is that simple. I’ve done a few bronze castings but can’t get the sand right. This will help amazingly. Q? Could you use charcoal instead of coal?

[@luckygen1001]

No, coal has to be used.

[@dingodog5677]

Thanks

[@nedshead5906]

ingenious use of a dime a dozen microwave controller, is it as simple as connecting 240 in and 240 out?

[@nedshead5906]

Also, do you mull your own coal to obtain the coal dust? I would like to try my hand at casting and I'm in the process of gathering gear, cheers Ben

[@luckygen1001]

If you are familiar with relays and how to connect them up then it is very easy. I buy the coal dust ready made as black coal is very to source where I live.

[@atmm89]

could you use beach sand, such as the squeeky one we have on the Gold Coast, thanks mate

[@luckygen1001]

Any sand cand be used as long as it is clean. Beach sand will have some salt content so it is easy to wash the salt out before using.

[@paultavin3114]

Can it be used for mixing sand together with molasses as binder ?

[@luckygen1001]

I have never tried molasses in my sand mixer.

[@paultavin3114]

@@luckygen1001 Ok Thanks

[@amishmilitant4618]

When you are casting a piece out of cast iron, do you and anything? Like borax?

[@luckygen1001]

I don't add any flux if that is what you are talking about.

[@clockguy2]

Are you calculating percentage amounts by weight or volume? Cheap cat litter is often composed of bentonite clay.

[@luckygen1001]

By weight.

[@KravchenkoAudioPerth]

Great video giving information not readily available. The percentages of bentonite and water are available. The time to mull the mix is not readily available. Any idea of the weight of your mulling wheel?

[@luckygen1001]

Without taking it of I would say it is at least 10kgs.

[@KravchenkoAudioPerth]

OK I think I have marching orders for this. A few cast iron weights setup and turned flat on the lathe and I can have something pretty equivalent. Thanks! Mark

[@HomeDistiller]

Could you add fine sawdust? Instead of coal dust? Or powdered charcoal?

[@luckygen1001]

You could try saw dust and see what happens, I have never tried it.

[@Vladviking]

Where do they mine in Bentonite in Australia?

[@luckygen1001]

Arumpo N.S.W.

[@AA-69]

Mine has a cone in the middle to stop dead areas 😚.... 😂👍

[@AdrianHiggins83]

Do you have a video on setting up the controller from the microwave?

[@luckygen1001]

The links in the description will take you to my video about the controller.

[@michaelclark2840]

Such an informative video, thankyou. I am curious though. How many melts had the first batch of used sand been used for and at what point do you discard your used sand, if ever you do? Cheers.

[@luckygen1001]

If you cast iron only about every two years the sand has to be replaced but with aluminuim the sand will last a very long time.

[@michaelclark2840]

@@luckygen1001 thankyou. Thats interesting information. 2 years is still quite a while considering the torture the sand must go through.

[@luckygen1001]

@@michaelclark2840 Most of my iron castings solidify quickly so the sand lasts a long time but if I cast a really chunky iron casting that weighs 5-8 kgs it gives the sand a hard time because it remains a liquid for a long time. If I poured those castings all the time then the sand would have to be replaced a lot sooner.

[@michaelclark2840]

Thankyou luckygen. That's all interesting info. Really appreciate your sharing. Cheers.

[@user-fk4wf8cs2s]

Здорово..

[@luckygen1001]

Спасибо.

[@user-fk4wf8cs2s]

luckygen1001 и Вам спасибо..

[@helenmaher6785]

When you speak of percentages of mix, are you referring to volume or weight?

[@michaelclark2840]

Hi luckygen1001, I'm finally building a muller based on your design, so thankyou for sharing your info. One question. Have you had any issue with sand getting to the bearings in your compactor roller? I'm Trying to figure a method to avoid this issue Cheers

[@luckygen1001]

I used a water pump sealed ball bearing race from a large diesel engine for 30 years and has not been replaced in that time. The ball bearing race is high enough to avoid contact with the sand.

[@michaelclark2840]

@@luckygen1001 thankyou. That's pretty impressive.

[@danielvrana9444]

You should make a door on the side and let it come out when you turn it back on.

[@fortunateson6070]

What does the sand look like after you set it to "Jacket Potatoes"?

[@luckygen1001]

Like jacket potatoes.

[@jimburnsjr.]

Cheers Lucky, great video as always.... thanks for another lesson... I bet making a small bessemer furnace is nowhere close to outside of your realm of potential.... have you ever done that, or thought about it?... and if so do you have any thoughts to share on it?

[@luckygen1001]

I have a good idea on how they work but operating one would need considerable skill to produce excellent steel.

[@jimburnsjr.]

right on... I'm pretty sure if we had a race youl'd beat my pants off.... sure is interesting stuff; one of these days I'm gonna put all this information you've given us to work.. .at least for fun.

[@123kkambiz]

It would be better if you design a system to directly empty the sand in the container while milling ending. Make a plate to divert the sand towards an opening. this is just an idea, no offence. Good video , and video editing .

[@luckygen1001]

if the mixer was on a pivot it could be tilted to empty the sand out.

[@123kkambiz]

Still you have to work out to remove the sticky sand , but the method I suggest it will remove all by itself. Make 2 or 3 inches hole at the center with lid, after crushing and mixing direct the sand toward the center where you have opened the lid keep the bucket bellow at center all your sand will be directed towards the center and fall off from the hole. then close the lid and start another batch. Use another vertical shaft for giving direction for removal purpose and it should be movable when you don't want to to remove sand it should be up , and when you want to remove sand you lower the the shaft .

[@machineshop2029]

Microwave panel controler?

[@luckygen1001]

Yes.

[@charlieszablewski830]

What type of sand do you use thanyou

[@luckygen1001]

I use swimming pool filter sand.

[@VladekR]

Lucky, how do you grind bentonite?

[@luckygen1001]

I don't, foundry grade bentonite comes in a super fine powder ready to use in a 25kg bag. Some people get bentonite from farm supply places and I think it has to be ground up.

[@VladekR]

@@luckygen1001 where from u getting yours? Thanks

[@luckygen1001]

The place I got it from has been taken over by Cast Metal Services in Melbourne so try them.@@VladekR

[@VladekR]

Thanks, I check them out in September when I am in Melbourne@@luckygen1001

[@VladekR]

It does not look good, their phone number is disconnected 😥😥@@luckygen1001

[@elyass3919]

This thinks are good for made olive oil,,,

[@TheDistur]

*sets mixer to popcorn*

[@luckygen1001]

That is not the only option on this controller, it does every thing and mixes sand.

[@ergohack]

"For this casting, I'm using 6% bentonite mixed to a nice frozen vegetables consistency..."

[@luckygen1001]

It helps to defrost the vegetables.

[@amishmilitant4618]

I have casted aluminum, nothing else. I have to cast some finials for a very old wrought iron fence. I am making them out of cast iron. Do I have to add a flux to the molten cast Iron? Or do I just melt it and skim the dross off and pour? Thank you.