Fill the colony with molten aluminum!
)
Came out really neat looking! I generally don’t respond to these non-traditional art projects, but damn, if I don’t think that finished product doesn’t make a neat little sculpture!
Further not only is it a cool piece of metal, but it has a STORY AND a purpose!
More art, less fire ants!
Win Win!
Shiny!
Though that he mounted it upsidedown at the end does offend me in an OCD way.
Now I wonder how big the ant colonies get in my area, melting aluminum is easy I’ve already melted a few pounds at a time in my yard.
How do you do it? I was actually talking about melting aluminum with a friend the other day, and I expressed some concerns given how flammable it is compared to other metals. I just assumed once it started getting liquid any open flames might start the metal burning….
I would guess you might have to be careful melting magnesium, but Aluminum doesn’t burn easily without an oxidizer. It will melt in a hot wood fire, but charcoal is easier. There is a lot of info on the the web about simple furnaces, One good book is this one http://www.amazon.com/Charcoal-Foundry-Build-Metal-Working/dp/1878087002/ref=pd_bxgy_mov_img_z
http://youtu.be/tyBf3GcGX64
Take a look at this.
Thank heavens that we only have little ant hills.