A terrific casting demonstration at N.A.M.E.S

[Chet]

Presenter, Rick Chownyk, brought 20 drawing giveaways of a foundry burner (the Oliver type) figuring there'd only be a handful of spectators. Boy, did he misjudge the enthusiasm for this topic!
I'd say there was at least a hundred, and possibly double that number, of guys gathered around the demonstration.
Rick made the demo 'down and dirty' and did the melt and pour without benefit of degassing using a standard steel crucible.
Rather than a use a wooden pattern, Rick glued together some pieces of styrofoam that he earlier dipped in a ceiling texture compound and let dry.
He placed the patterns in a bucket, and surrounded it with playground sand.
He added a riser, and then did the pour.
And it turned out great!
My compliments to Rick for reducing the foundry process to it's basics and opening up a possibly new hobby for dozens of attendees.
Chet

[JohnHudak]

Wow, I missed that, when was it? I would have loved to see it....
John

[Chet]

The demo began around 11 and then continued for roughly 2 hours.
After the first pour, Rick asked if anyone would like to see another.
A chorus of 'yes's' had Rick pouring for the next hour.