Tusken metal parts experiment

[Blaxmyth]

Having been seized with the notion that I must build a Tusken costume and cast the metal parts in aluminium, I've been preparing by turning a few pieces on the wood lathe. I've already managed to turn aluminium by hand on the wood lathe, so the next step is to cast some scrap and try making the spikes, tusks and eye stalks. Well, that's the plan anyway. The wood prototypes turned out ok, so here's hoping.

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I've promised my son-in-law that we'll each cast a set at Christmas, so better get cracking. Wish me luck!

[MattG]

They look very nice.

Would love to do a tusken mask myself at some point... the picture of 3 sandpeople in the "Star Wars Storybook" from my childhood (below) is one of those images burned into my nostalgia circuits.

[Blaxmyth]

Thanks, Matt.

Those three Tuskens are certainly iconic. I didn't realise how different they were until I started this latest project.

Made some more progress today, cutting and welding the crucible for the aluminium. If we get some fine weather, I'll be able to test it soon...

[badges2nz]

Sounds like fun times ahead, will you be casting in sand?

[Blaxmyth]

Sounds like fun times ahead, will you be casting in sand?

Yep, green sand - trying the recipe of 85% white sand mixed with powdered kitty litter, which is bentonite clay. Been meaning to try it for ages. I'll use the coal forge as it produces more heat than my gas forge.

Will post progress pics as I go.

[TIE1138]

Looking forward to seeing how this turns out, Phil.

[Blaxmyth]

Some more progress. I've bought a bag of kitty litter, and borrowed my wife's mortar and pestle to crush it to powder. Ideally you would use a blender, but don't want to buy an old one until I see how the mortar goes.

I welded up a heavy duty crucible which will take up to a litre of aluminium - more than enough for this project, but I've always wanted something like this so it was a good excuse to build it.

Also, have turned up four eye stalk forms and four tusk forms. These will be embedded into the casting sand, which is packed tightly around them, so that when the forms are gently withdrawn, a hole is left ready to receive the molten aluminium. The wooden plugs will be screwed to the bottom of the mould box and they will form the inside of the eye, hopefully being able to be removed easily afterwards as I will be sanding a slight taper onto them. They will probably char, but I'm regarding that as instant weathering.

Hopefully will have some more progress in a week or so.

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[badges2nz]

I like your crucible, its a pity I've just got rid of a whole lot of aluminum at the scrap metal recyclers along with some brass and copper.

[Blaxmyth]

Thanks, badges, but I've got about 10 kg saved up. Plus all my wife's empty beer cans...

[TIE1138]

Ouch!