Clay molds for aluminum casting?
Moderator: Harold_V
Brass Casting with sand mixture
Steamin10,
I tried attaching the photos, but they were too large so I am trying to attach them again after editing.
I tried attaching the photos, but they were too large so I am trying to attach them again after editing.
Re: Clay molds for aluminum casting?
The objects shown would benefit greatly from being investment cast. The resulting surface finish would be better, and detail finer. That, of course, depends on your objective. You may prefer the appearance of sand casting, and its lesser ability to create fine detail and exceptional surface finishes.
H
H
Wise people talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something.
- steamin10
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Re: Clay molds for aluminum casting?
I mentioned jewelry casting and its small amounts of material just for that reason. It can be superior in some ways if a bit fiddly for some parts.Green sand casting is the simplest, and oil sand, AKA Petro bond is the next step up, offering much finer finishes at low cost, compared to investment casting. A branch of investment casting, shell casting is used for space age precision parts and exotic metals and-stainless, to get large production costs in line.
In viewing your small parts, I think Petro is the way to go, as in other posts I commented on capturing errant finger prints on surfaces I have cast. Other than melting the metal in a Kerr furnace or similar jewelry based deal, you have to decide which process line you want to follow. Ceramic kilns have been used with success to melt the metals and produce shell molds, or waxed investments for the garage guy that only make a hand full of parts per year. The biggest disadvantage is heating time in a kiln is too long for my liking, and a cobbled gas furnace is too easy to build. Again the size and scale will play into the start cost.
Above all, consider the safty and working conditions, as blowing molds up, and burns are no fun. So move forward, and play safe.
In viewing your small parts, I think Petro is the way to go, as in other posts I commented on capturing errant finger prints on surfaces I have cast. Other than melting the metal in a Kerr furnace or similar jewelry based deal, you have to decide which process line you want to follow. Ceramic kilns have been used with success to melt the metals and produce shell molds, or waxed investments for the garage guy that only make a hand full of parts per year. The biggest disadvantage is heating time in a kiln is too long for my liking, and a cobbled gas furnace is too easy to build. Again the size and scale will play into the start cost.
Above all, consider the safty and working conditions, as blowing molds up, and burns are no fun. So move forward, and play safe.
Big Dave, former Millwright, Electrician, Environmental conditioning, and back yard Fixxit guy. Now retired, persuing boats, trains, and broken relics.
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart. My computer beat me at chess, but not kickboxing
It is not getting caught in the rain, its learning to dance in it. People saying good morning, should have to prove it.
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart. My computer beat me at chess, but not kickboxing
It is not getting caught in the rain, its learning to dance in it. People saying good morning, should have to prove it.
Brass casting with sand mixture
Harold,
You may be right, I won't know until I see how the brass casting turns out - I'll let you know one way or the other.
Thanks,
Garman
You may be right, I won't know until I see how the brass casting turns out - I'll let you know one way or the other.
Thanks,
Garman
Brass casting with sand mixture
Steamin10,
Thanks for your guidance, I'll keep you posted on my progress.
Thanks,
Garman
Thanks for your guidance, I'll keep you posted on my progress.
Thanks,
Garman
Brass Casting with sand mixture
Harold and Steamin10,
I ordered Petrobond from Amazon a few days ago(https://www.amazon.com/Petrobond-Afford ... B00P032D0W) so I could start trying to cast brass and it came Sept. 8th - I'm still planning to make my own petrobond (working on getting bentone 34, I'll share with youall later if I'm successful). I did my first mold with the Petrobond and poured my first melted brass and I'm pleased with what I got - let me know what youall think (photos to follow in the next 7 Posts).
Thanks,
Garman
I ordered Petrobond from Amazon a few days ago(https://www.amazon.com/Petrobond-Afford ... B00P032D0W) so I could start trying to cast brass and it came Sept. 8th - I'm still planning to make my own petrobond (working on getting bentone 34, I'll share with youall later if I'm successful). I did my first mold with the Petrobond and poured my first melted brass and I'm pleased with what I got - let me know what youall think (photos to follow in the next 7 Posts).
Thanks,
Garman
Brass Casting with sand mixture
Photo of my wooden form with brass pour.
Brass Casting with sand mixture
Photo of split form after pour.
Last edited by GLBowers on Sat Sep 09, 2017 12:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
Brass Casting with sand mixture
close up photo of brass pour.
Last edited by GLBowers on Sat Sep 09, 2017 12:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
Brass Casting with sand mixture
Photo of Brass pour with original.
Last edited by GLBowers on Fri Sep 08, 2017 11:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Brass Casting with sand mixture
Photo of Brass pour with threaded rod added, next to original on the left.
Last edited by GLBowers on Sat Sep 09, 2017 12:13 am, edited 2 times in total.