A better source for aluminum suitable for casting would be used aluminum engine parts, or other scrap alumimun parts that are of a hgher quality to begin with as my best guestimate shows an approximate 1 third loss of volume to the high dross content of aluminum cans. This aluminum smelting project yielded an approximate 2 pound ingot. I decided to pour my cleaned molten aluminum into a steel soup can, for the ingot mould, as this would provide a cylinder with a flat bottom suitable for chucking in a metal lathe.
MINI LATHE Machining Home Cast Aluminum ingot Machining a cast aluminum ingot on the mini lathe as a test to see if there are any inclusions or contaminants in the casting. The aluminum is nearly pure as poured from melting aluminum cans in a impromptu back yard smelting furnace. This casting was eventually turned into a piston by machining on the lathe. Melting Aluminum cans to Cast Piston How to, Aluminum Casting at home, homemade diy piston for a stirling engine. Backyard Foundry,
As it turns out, machining nearly pure aluminum is fairly straight forward, but pure aluminum is very soft and deforms and scratches easily. It also tends to transfer to other engine components when used in close running fit applications. Therefor an aluminum alloy would be better fo piston material. = SHARE ROCKNTV1