melting a pile of aluminium for practice

[ironDoug]

I'm just getting started in blacksmithing and casting. I'm trying to learn the ropes without blowing my whole budget on metal, so I was looking at the mountain of aluminium cans in my neighborhood recycling. Free metal, right?

But every time I look it up, Google goes full panic mode, saying I'm gonna make the whole block sick if I melt these things down, especially since I'm in a residential area.
is this real? can I safely melt down cans outside for some cheap, fun practice projects? or is the toxic fume risk legit something I can't manage at home?

If cans are a bad idea, what's a common, cheap, and safer source of scrap aluminium I should be looking for instead? (Like, old engine parts, window frames, etc.)
Any advice from the veterans is appreciated!

 

[hammertime]

Cans aren't great because they release bad fumes and don't give you much metal. Instead, try using things like mower decks, engine parts, or window frames. They're cleaner, safer, and work better for casting.

 

[t_bone]

hi @ironDoug, just wanna tell you that something denser is better! Cans give you so much dross (waste). Ask a local mechanic for cracked aluminum engine blocks or manifolds. That's the good stuff

 

[thedailygrind]

Great points about dross and density. Just to add, when you melt cans, it can release VOCs from the paint and coatings, which isn't safe without good ventilation. If you're looking for cleaner and safer scrap, try using extruded profiles or parts from old appliances

 

[hot1ron]

for alternative, look for old aluminum ladders or lawn chair frames at thrift stores. much cleaner than cans and way less dross to scoop out

 

[Alan]

for alternative, look for old aluminum ladders or lawn chair frames at thrift stores. much cleaner than cans and way less dross to scoop out

Great tip. Those sources are much cleaner and save a lot of trouble.