Travel & Events

QC#57 – Making the “Flower Pot” Foundry

A simple backyard foundry, artfully disguised as a flower pot. (Made for less than $20, and usable the same day!)

See the full project video: http://bit.ly/MiniMetalFoundry

Next Video: Pop Can Foundry: http://bit.ly/QCPopCanFoundry
Previous Video: Gum Wrapper Fire Starter: http://bit.ly/QCGumWraperFireStarter

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“Quick Clips” are clips of random experiments in a minute or less.

For other project videos, check out http://www.thekingofrandom.com

Social Media Links:

Google+: http://bit.ly/plusgrant
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Instagram: http://bit.ly/instagrant
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Music By:
Music by Jason Shaw (RP-Clattertrap)
http://www.audionautix.com

Project Inspired By:

This foundry is an original design, which comes after months of experimenting, and over 10 different prototypes. The functionality is founded on ideas I collected while searching the internet for foundry designs.

WARNING: Charcoal foundries can reach temperatures in excess of 1,000ºC, which is well above the melting point of hobbyists. This project should only be attempted with adequate knowledge and training, proper protective safety gear, and in a fire resistant area with adequate ventilation. The sparks flying from the foundry can ignite fires, and the fumes from burning dross can be toxic. Use caution and common sense. Use of this video content is at your own risk.

Project History & More Info:

This video is a quick overview of how I made my backyard foundry.

The insulating lining probably isn’t as resilient or long-lasting as a refractory cement, but it can be made quickly and cheaply with very common materials.

In my experience, the sand/plaster lining is durable and lasts long enough to satisfy any backyard hobbiest, so long as you’re gentle and respect the foundry. Slight cracking may occur after a few firings, and that’s normal and doesn’t affect performance significantly. I haven’t had to replace a lining yet, but if you wanted to, it would be really easy to knock out the plaster, and mix up a new batch, reusing the steel pail.

I made 10 different prototypes and experimented with various ratios of portland cement, sand, perlite, plaster of paris, water, and even kitty litter. I ended up favoring the galvanized steel pail, and a mix of 50% plaster of paris, and 50% play sand, by volume, which was inspired by a video by NightHawkInLight “How to Make a Soup Can Forge” http://bit.ly/IBSoupCanForge

All my materials were from Home Depot. One bag of play sand ($3), and one bag of plaster of paris ($16) are enough to make 2 complete furnaces with lids. The steel pails were $10 each, the U-bolts were $1.50 each, the plastic buckets were $2.27, making the total cost for two of these furnaces $46.54 ($23.27 each). Spray paint is an optional touch, and I used “Burnished Amber” to give mine the forged bronze look you see at the end of the video.

Full step by step instructions will be in the tutorial on January 13th

The purpose of my backyard foundry is to demonstrate the most basic setup for casting metals. However if you plan to attempt this approach yourself, some important things to consider beforehand are as follows;

– Soda cans work really well, however aluminum cans are one of the worst sources for aluminum to cast with, and some soda cans in the UK are actually made of steel. The alloy was meant for extrusion, so is not the best for casting. They also produce more dross (slag) because the thin walls oxidize quickly and the plastic coatings on the cans add impurities. A better source of aluminum for casting would be cast aluminum items from thrift stores, like electric skillets or small engine blocks from lawnmower shops.

– The crucible I used was steel, but it’s important to note that steel can be soluble in molten aluminum. It’s possible that when you lift the crucible out of the foundry, the bottom can dissolve out and drop molten aluminum onto you feet and onto the ground. A good refractory crucible can be purchased for about $30 online.

– Lastly, casting over concrete poses risks of steam explosions. If molten aluminum falls to the ground, it can superheat the moisture in the concrete and cause it to spall (steam explosion) where the aluminum lands. This can potentially send hot concrete and molten aluminum spraying everywhere. When possible, melt and pour metal over sand to minimize risks.

Note: Wearing polyester gloves like the ones I had in the video is risky because the material can melt into your hands if you get splashed by hot aluminum. This can potentially leave burns where the metal lands, ringed by plastic burned into the skin.

The WAN Show – GTX 960 Rumours & A New, More Professional Show for 2015?? NAH! – Jan 2, 2015

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/283353-january-2-2015-the-wan-show-document/

Sponsors!

Lynda.com Link: http://lynda.com/wanshow for a 10 day free trial

Phantom Glass Link: http://store.phantom.glass – international shipping

Squarespace Link: http://squarespace.com/linus – Offer code Linus to save 10%

Soundcloud Link: https://soundcloud.com/thewanshow/the-wan-show-gtx-960-rumours-a-new-more-professional-show-for-2015-nah-jan-2-2015

Table of contents (courtesy of Fighterluid, jjmc89 – thanks guys!)

00:02:23 Topic callouts
00:03:18 Intro
00:05:30 Sony about to be sued for pirating music in “The Interview”
00:08:27 Hollywood – “Google Fiber leads to more piracy”
00:15:11 Google to FCC: “If the Internet is a Title II utility, let us expand Fiber”
00:19:45 New Office Campaign is now over
00:22:12 LTT Star Citizen organization (UOLTT) news
00:23:44 Intel could save Apple’s bacon
00:34:28 Apple offers two-week window for iTunes refunds in Europe
00:36:45 Strawpoll: movie & restaurant analogy – http://strawpoll.me/3321615
00:40:08 Sponsor spot – Squarespace
00:43:16 Sponsor spot – Lynda.com
00:44:33 Sponsor spot – Phantom Glass
00:46:46 Microsoft working on a new browser (not IE)
00:49:45 Google fights Marriott’s plan to block Wi-Fi hotspots
00:55:12 [Rumour] GTX 960 Release date and price
00:59:49 Kim Dotcom’s Mega to launch anti-spying call and chat service ‘soon’
01:03:15 Apple hit with class action lawsuit over the size of iOS on devices
01:06:44 Asus ZenFone [CES 2015]
01:09:24 Bitcoin deemed worst currency of 2014
01:11:05 VESA mount for iMacs – NuMount VESA
01:12:38 Oculus Rift’s Palmer Luckey: “I brought Virtual Reality back from the dead”
01:14:17 Linus phone case review? Nope, but here’s a live ‘unboxing’
01:20:01 Lamp that lasts 40 years
01:21:17 Shoutout to Ghost & FlighterLuid for timestamps (there are 2 L’s in there)
01:22:31 Outro

The Co-Optional Podcast Animated: Shercox & Ramsay [strong language]

Your favorite Co-Optional Podcast moments animated!
This show is funded by fans and the podcast hosts on Patreon http://www.patreon.com/cooptionalanimation

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2015 Mazda CX-9 – Redline: Review

Despite thorough updates over the years, there’s no denying that Mazda’s largest vehicle in the line-up is in need of a significant redesign as competitors have made steady improvements in fuel efficiency, technology, and interior space. However, its sporty driving dynamics, stylish exterior, and attractive price do their best to keep this family crossover competitive. Expect a full redesign within the next two years.

The Co-Optional Podcast Ep. 61 ft. PyrionFlax [strong language]

Audio version: https://soundcloud.com/totalbiscuit/co-optional-podcast-30th-of-december-2014-with-pyrion-flax-1

Support Julian, the podcast animator: http://www.patreon.com/cooptionalanimation

TotalBiscuit and Jesse Cox sit down with PyrionFlax on this episode of the Co-Optional Podcast! Enjoy!

———
Jesse Cox:
http://www.youtube.com/user/OMFGcata

PyrionFlax
https://www.youtube.com/user/tedhimself

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Thanks for watching The Co-Optional Podcast!

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Top 10 Games of 2014

Welcome to the end of the year, here are the Top 10 games that TotalBiscuit enjoyed in 2014.

Footage credits:
Guilty Gear X gameplay – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw_h9VNLQF8

Music: http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR03024

Salebox – Holiday Sale – December 30th, 2014

TotalBiscuit rounds up the holiday sale deals on Steam and gives recommendations.
“How to Survive steam sales” image by Krawser_

00:17 The Witcher 2
01:13 Wasteland 2
02:25 Arma 3
03:16 Lethal League
04:20 Lichdom
05:40 The Forest
06:37 Child of Light
07:53 Final Fantasy 7
09:05 Metal Slug 3

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Salebox – Holiday Sale – December 29th, 2014

TotalBiscuit rounds up the holiday sale deals on Steam and gives recommendations.
“How to Survive steam sales” image by Krawser_

00:52 Battleblock Theater
01:29 The Simulator Games
01:39 Left 4 Dead 2
02:32 Don’t Starve
03:45 Wolfenstein: The New Order
04:46 The Stanley Parable
05:38 Splinter Cell: Blacklist
07:22 Men of War: Assault Squad 2

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TotalBiscuit’s Arbitrary Video Game Awards – 2014

TotalBiscuit brings you the most arbitrary of video game award ceremonies. This is our “end of the year” video. Thank you very much for a great 2014, despite it being the most difficult and inconsistent year for the channel. We hope we can bring you a better 2015.

Category timecodes :-

Intro – 00:03
Award list – 2:09
Best Soundtrack – 2:50
Best Thing to come out of Crowdfunding – 8:06
Most interesting Gaming Youtube channel that isn’t mine – 16:20
The Stop Preordering Videogames award for Biggest Launch Disaster – 23:14
Most Impressive Aesthetic – 32:39
Best Expansion/DLC – 40:33
Best Mobile Game – 50:35
The game I turned my consoles on for the most this year – 58:08
The game that most surpassed my expectations – 1:06:43
The Sharpened Pitchfork award for dodgiest games company of the year – 1:17:55
The game that most needs to see the light of GabeN – 1:27:57
Outro and thanks – 1:34:41

Follow TotalBiscuit on Twitter: http://twitter.com/totalbiscuit
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Follow Zooc on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zoocdoesstuff
Check out Zooc’s YT channel: http://youtube.com/zoocdoesstuff

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Footage credits
—————————
Wasteland 2 – https://www.youtube.com/user/RobertCram1
Castle Doombad – https://www.youtube.com/user/TangentsLP
Hitman GO – https://www.youtube.com/user/Techzamazing
Threes – https://www.youtube.com/user/toonfirstgames
80 Days – https://www.youtube.com/user/AppGemeinde
Halo 4 – https://www.youtube.com/user/gLPLayground
Drive Club – https://www.youtube.com/user/becetbreak1

Background music by OCRemix: http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01711

All footage used under US Fair Use doctrine.