Tools and materials I propose:
In this video I show you tools and techniques relative to metal casting. I show you how to make a crucible, wooden frames for your sand molds, metal you can easily cast and finally how to make your molds. It is a really interesting and creative process. I hope you'll enjoy it.
First of all I made a crucible out of fire brick mortar. I mixed the mortar with water and cast it into a yoghurt cup. I removed the bubbles by hitting it onto my bench. Then I placed a plastic ball in the centre. I let it sit for a few days and my crucible was ready. These kind of crucibles will last for a few meltdown sessions. To help the liquid metal pour a little easier I added a small lip on the crucible with my rotary tool.
Then I made a metal handle using a threaded rod and a metal stripe. I also turned a handle on the lathe out of beech wood. I drilled a pilot hole and then screwed the handle in place.
I then cut some pieces of plywood on the table saw to make frames for the sand. I glued and nailed the boxes sides together. I also added screws.
Then I cut my box in half and nailed the matching blocks in place. I then flattened everything with a large sanding block. I drilled holes for dowels. I used dowel marking pins to locate the meeting holes. I also painted the sides. This helps a bit with the alignment.
I found that die cast cars are made from the ideal metal for home made castings. It melts easily and it dries hard enough.
To make my sand mold I first added baby powder to my model. This will help me to release it from the mold later on. I add some sand on top and then I press the sand with a piece of wood.
I place the next frame on top.This time I used a copper pipe to make a funnel and a drill bit to create an air release pipe.
Then I broke the two parts apart and created the groove that would connect all the chambers of the mold. I removed the model and closed the mold with clamps.
Finally I melted some metal with a propane torch and poured it into the mold. It’s good to use firebricks as a base in order to prevent your bench from burning.
You can remove the burned sand and reuse the sand for more castings.
It takes some effort to make the proper mold for each model but it’s a really fun process.
But that was it, see you soon with a new project video.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, that at no cost to you, I get a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.
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