I would look to get some large pieces of Ally to melt as the smaller the pieces the more oxide you will produce.
Ideally you need a reducing atmosphere for ally not easy with propane as you need a lot of air to get the temperature.
I would like to try but not enough garden(boss has too many plants)

peter
Hi Peter

I don't think you have looked into this as much as I have?

You melt down all the small stuff together and mould decent sized? ingots out of them ready fo melting the components to be made.
The ideal Aluminium is the type thats already been casted before ie cylinder heads or any large casted component as this will be prime material.

As for Propane torch,there is lots of source out there in constructing a torch head to give maximum heat flame within the homebrew furnace,believe me its so simple.

Follow this guys series of making his own CNC,everything is home made/built/casted,such a pity he didn't have the brains to protect himself for safty when casting though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXFDs...eature=related