Viva le lost foam technique

After almost three months of playing with the silly stuff at work it finally dawned to test the lost foam technique - massive success. To the left are homey's initials carved in blue foam. To the right are those initials in aluminum. Absolutely wicked.
Lessons learned: Don't pack the sand too hard or air bubbles get in there. Too loose and the metal may pour out the side of the foam (especially when you pack it up around the edges of the design... This piece came out great and the little dude tore outta there 30 seconds after completion to show his bros. Most excellent.

Charlottesville Community Bikes, Aluminum Foundries, and Bling

Had a rad time at the Cville community bike shop this weekend. We melted a bunch of aluminum and one lucky gal got some handmade hard core bling for her wheelz. And every one got to hear a bunch about aluminum, aluminum oxide, steel, slag, and a bunch of other stuff that makes the whole thing so what it is... rad.


Here's a video of the whole thing... may have said aluminum oxide 10+ times... ah well.... metallurgical chemistry = BONUS!