How to cast bronze and other metals with plastic molds

Author: Delmar Germyn

Some words on how you could use your plastic molds to cast metals.

Your first thought when you see this is that the plastic mold would melt or catch fire! You are right! The way it is done is as follows...

This is going to be a story about a foundry that cast propellers for boats. That is where I learned how plastic molds are used to cast metal.

I once rented space in a foundry that cast props. It was a darkand dusty place. Also very hot some days! When the furnace was heating metal. It was a little noisy then to. Big fans running to feed air into the furnace.

Here is how they would use the plastic molds.

First they would cast in plaster. Next the plaster casting would be used to make a new mold using sand. This is done in a Sandbox!! I bet you had already guessed that? The plaster pattern is placed in the box and sand is packed around it. This is special sand that cannot be reused. It is mixed in a big machine with waterglass just before it is to be used. This is packed into place and CO2 it blown over it to harden it.

Once this is ready the metal is heated in the furnace and then poured into the mold. It is allowed to cool 12 hrs or so (this depends on the size of the casting - bigger equals longer). Once it has cooled the sand is broken away and discarded. The castingis cooled for another 12 or so hours and then ground and polished.

Copyright © 2005 Delmar Germyn All rights reserved.

About the author:

Del Germyn Web site http://www.delsmolds.com

My web site is setup to help learn more about molds and casting. YOU WILL FIND.... Articles on how to mix your concrete, hypertufa, etc for different uses. Free information on how to make your own molds. Tips and hints on their use and care. Information on making and using various types of molds to castconcrete, plaster, cement, ceramics, pottery, etc. Take a lookat my site for more.

Hobby Metal Casting -The Journey & Exploration

Author: Col Croucher.

Involvement in certain hobbies can be due to all kinds of factors, in some cases it stems from a curiosity point of view, with others it can be because a friend insisted on showing you how, but the urge can also come from a personal need or challenge to create and make something which you know is the only way in which you will obtain that certain something.

From a pure novice point of view, the learning and mastering of hobby metal casting could seem to be an impossibility, simply because of the assumption that there is an awful lot to learn about the subject, and if the truth be known, there probably is, but like many other skills you learn throughout life, the more you do, the better your skills get, a surgeon doesn't get to learn the intricate art of amputating a leg without first studying and learning about the human body.
Likewise you can't expect to master the art of hobby metalcasting with out at first doing a lot of reading and thenapplying the knowledge you've learnt and combine this together with some solid practice.

If you have just an ounce of practical skill in your body, you will be able to turn that small amount of skill into a valuable resource you'll be able to use for life. You could begin your metal casting by using the most basic furnace, equipment & tools, many people who started in this wayare now experienced metal casters, and are able to create all manner of things from metal, they have also discovered that sooner or later, other people get to hear about their special talents, and it's not long before the odd paying job comes in, which helps to make your hobby self sufficient
The type of people that get involved with hobby metal casting range from radio controlled racing car enthusiasts, Go-KartBuilders, antique restorers, vintage motorcycle and car rebuilders, people who build miniature steam engines & aeroengines and parts. Some people have found It is even possible to design and build miniature engines that run on gasoline, there are several home trained hobby foundry workers who haveundertaken to design & build intricate patterns and cores to cast and build miniature 4 cylinder & V8 engines, real engines that have spark plugs and they run on petrol. They have managed to make all of the many parts required for these amazing home designed & built projects.

Think you can't do any of those kind of projects? Well think again, because many of the people who build these projects started out just like you, they were eager to learn how to cast metal, they found the right knowledge, then learnt by doing, soon they found that the things they once thought impossible, were now achievable, that's the power of knowledge, belief inyour self, and the commitment to get the job done. Col Croucher.

Need content? You may use this article at your website, or inyour newsletter. The only requirement is inclusion of thefollowing sentence - Article by Col Croucher of http://www.myhomefoundry.com/ - the definitive source for hobby metalcasters of all ages. While at the web site you can download a free ebook to learn about, & understand hobby metal craft.

About the author:Col Croucher is an experienced metal caster with over 14 yearsof hobby casting project experience. To learn more about how you can make a start visit our web site http://www.myhomefoundry.com/ to download your free ebook.

The Gas Fired Crucible Furnace
by: Joe Hildreth
Source:www.myheap.com

Friday, 18 MAR 2005 -
I have decided that I want a gas fired crucible furnace for my general melting needs. I have decided I will go with David Gingery's project called, "Building a Gas Fired Crucible Furnace". I will detail my experience here for those of you that might want to try a similar project. My reasoning for this particular design was that I like the side approach to the crucible and the ease of which it looks like it is constructed. Information on this book can be found in the resource section and can be ordered through Lindsay Books.

I am excited about doing this project for another reason. My fiance has a son named Jason who thinks he is cut out to be a mad scientist. Hmmmm .... We will see. I told him he had to be my Igor first and then we will determine if he is mad scientist material. He has decided to help me build this furnace and promises to stick through with it until the end. (Good or Bad) hehehehehe :-)

Building the furnace forms.
The furnace body is constructed with forms made of sheet metal. It should be noted that with the exception of the inside collapsable form all the metal used in the body is plain black sheet metal. This is necessary because it is possible that the skin temperature can reach high enough temperatures to vaporize any galvanized coatings on the sheet metal which can lead to health issues. - Jason and I set out to making the furnace forms!

Homemade Foundry

Another useful tool for your backyard workshop is the foundry. For the hobbyist, it is a must have, specially when you plan to build your own parts. The foundry is the best companion for lathe machine.

You can design and mold your own parts and accessories, from the smallest bolt or even building your own engine. I'm not talking about the big foundry type, i'm talking about a homemade garbage can size foundry. Made from recycled cans and bricks.. this simple foundry, easy to build yet functional.

Here are some links that demonstrates what im talking :

http://www.schundler.com/ccfoundry.htm
http://www.austriancoins.com/foundry/metal.html
http://www.angelfire.com/pro2/jason_foundry/index.html
http://www.geocities.com/castinggallery/

One of the basic and most versatile tool a do it yourselfer and hobbyist could have is a lathe machine. It is very versatile and could perform various function depending on the type of project you are working.

Lathe machine is usefull in turning, boring or grinding. Hobbyist and professionals could benifit a lot in investing on lathe machine. The only problem is lathe machine prices are high and prohibitive specially to hobbyist like me.

Since i do spent most of my time on my computer, i searched for an alternative and discovered lathe machines you can build even from recycled materials.

The most popular is the Gingery Lathe Machine. It simple easy to build, the materials are cheap and sometimes free and the best thing is it is your new project.

Heres a list of sites that i have browsed that give a detailed instruction in building a homemade and improvised lathe machine.

http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com/lathe7.html
http://www.aardvark.co.nz/pjet/spinning1.shtml
http://www.mini-lathe.com/Links.htm
http://www3.sympatico.ca/3jdw8/latheoutside2.htm

I will post my own design whenever i can build my own dream lathe machine..