Metal casting

[JoeW]

I'm thinking of getting into metal casting when I get out of school. I've always been fainated by metal casting and shaping. I'd like to make 2 cycle gasoline engines for radio controlled aircraft and such. <br /><br />Are there any metal casters out there?

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Metal casting

I've always wanted to try it myself. Got lots of good corrosion resistant castable Al scrap around anyway. <br />Have you seen this?

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Metal casting

Added that link to favorites... <br /><br />It's not the casting thats the hard part (well, it is, but)... The machining.. Thats the hard part....

 

[JoeW]

Re: Metal casting

Paul,<br />Yes, that's probably my favorite site on the subject. I actually sent away for two of his three booklets. He does a good job of showing how to cast using everyday inexpensive ingredients. <br /><br />Snapperbait,<br />Machining the metal that's casted is another interesting activity. These guys have actually built their own lathes and mills using parts that they've cast. I'm not sure how these machines compare to commercially available machines, but then, what's the fun in that!<br /><br />I think my first step will be to take a class in welding. It seems like that would be a handy thing to know when making tools etc. I notice that most of these guys have made their own tools or jigs etc. often by welding.

 

[JB]

Re: Metal casting

Cool site!<br /><br />I cast a few rough Al pieces for modifying Kart engines back in the early 60s. Good fun, not easy. I used ideas gathered from a book on casting jewelry with the lost wax method.<br /><br />Very little "machining" was required, and I accomplished it with rudimentary tools in a drill press.