# Melting down 100 cans of Red Bull into just 1 Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAEyVTAtyJA Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/LAEyVTAtyJA Generated: 2025-11-21T20:39:27.961+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The creator successfully melted down approximately 100 Red Bull cans into a single aluminum ingot by first 3D printing a mold using Formlabs Castable Wax Resin, then using the wax print as a burnout pattern, creating a plaster investment mold, melting the aluminum in a propane forge, and finally casting the molten aluminum into the mold using a vacuum casting machine, resulting in a silver-colored ingot with surface imperfections. **Key Points:** - The experiment involved collecting approximately 100 empty Red Bull cans to be melted down and cast into a single solid object (0:01). - A 3D model of a Red Bull can was created and prepared for printing using Formlabs PreForm software, estimating a print time of 8 hours and 5 minutes using Castable Wax Resin (0:18, 0:33). - After printing and cleaning the wax pattern, it was used to create an investment mold by filling a metal perforated flask with plaster (0:40, 0:56). - The wax pattern was burned out in a kiln set to 150°C (1:24), and the resulting mold was then used for the vacuum casting process. - The creator melted the aluminum from the cans in a propane-powered 'Devil Forge' and encountered an issue where the collected aluminum yield was about 100 milliliters less than expected (1:56, 2:07). - The molten aluminum was successfully cast into the mold using a vacuum casting machine, followed by cooling in water (3:03, 3:19). - The final product, a silver-colored aluminum ingot retaining the shape of the can (with visible surface texture from the investment material), was presented as a successful, albeit imperfect, creation (4:16). ![Screenshot at 0:18: The creator displays the 3D model of the Red Bull can, supported by complex scaffolding, prepared for printing with Formlabs Castable Wax Resin, showing the estimated print time of 7 hours and 46 minutes.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/LAEyVTAtyJA/00-00-18.png) **Context:** The video documents a complex DIY project where the creator attempts to recycle a large quantity of aluminum beverage cans (specifically Red Bull) by melting them down and casting the resulting metal into a mold. This process involves several distinct stages: 3D printing a sacrificial wax model of the target object (a can), using that model to create a metal-casting investment mold, melting the source material (aluminum cans) in a forge, and finally pouring the molten metal into the mold using a vacuum casting setup. ## Detailed Analysis The video chronicles the ambitious project of melting down around 100 Red Bull cans to create a single aluminum casting. The process began by using a Formlabs 3D printer to create a sacrificial pattern of a Red Bull can using Castable Wax Resin, which took over 8 hours to print (0:33). Following the print, the creator prepared an investment mold by embedding the wax pattern inside a perforated metal flask and filling it with plaster (0:56). After the plaster cured, the wax pattern was burned out in a dedicated kiln, leaving a hollow mold cavity (1:24). The aluminum cans were then melted in a propane-fueled Devil Forge (1:49). The creator noted an unexpected loss of material during the burnout phase, resulting in about 100 milliliters less aluminum than initially calculated (2:07). The molten aluminum was then transferred to a vacuum casting machine, where it was poured into the mold (3:03). After cooling the mold in water (3:19) and cleaning off the remaining plaster, the final product was revealed: a solid aluminum object retaining the shape of the can, covered in small pits from the investment material, which the creator deemed a cool, though imperfect, final creation (4:16). ### Project Setup and Mold Creation - Used approximately 100 Red Bull cans - Designed and 3D printed a sacrificial mold using Formlabs Castable Wax Resin (8h 5min estimated print time) - Created a plaster investment mold around the wax pattern (0:18, 0:56) ### Wax Burnout and Melting - Burned out the wax pattern in a kiln set to 150°C (1:24) - Melted the aluminum from the cans using a propane-powered Devil Forge (1:49) ### Casting Process - Noted a material loss issue during burnout, yielding less aluminum than anticipated (2:07) - Poured the molten aluminum into the investment mold using a vacuum casting machine (3:03) ### Finalization and Result - Cooled the mold in water to solidify the aluminum (3:19) - Cleaned off the plaster to reveal the final aluminum ingot which retained the can's shape but showed surface imperfections (4:16) ![Screenshot at 0:01: Creator holding a large blue bag filled with crushed Red Bull cans, signaling the start of the recycling project.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/LAEyVTAtyJA/00-00-01.png) ![Screenshot at 0:25: Creator inserting a cartridge of Formlabs Castable Wax Resin into the SLA 3D printer, preparing to print the sacrificial mold pattern.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/LAEyVTAtyJA/00-00-25.png) ![Screenshot at 0:33: The Formlabs printer screen showing the 3D model of the Red Bull can supported by a print raft, with an estimated print time of 8 hours and 5 minutes.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/LAEyVTAtyJA/00-00-33.png) ![Screenshot at 0:56: Creator pouring mixed plaster into the metal flask containing the wax pattern, forming the investment mold.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/LAEyVTAtyJA/00-00-56.png) ![Screenshot at 1:49: Close-up view of several Red Bull cans melting inside the propane-fired 'Devil Forge' crucible.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/LAEyVTAtyJA/00-01-49.png)