Author Topic: Lost foam casting  (Read 4146 times)

Offline NormanV

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Lost foam casting
« on: June 21, 2017, 01:10:56 PM »
I have been casting aluminium for various projects for the last ten years, you could say that I have a fair amount of experience. I'm not so sure. I have always used greensand for my moulds, when I started I had no choice but to use sand from the beach and cat litter as a binding agent. I did this whilst living abroad and on returning to the UK I met with the availability of materials that I could have only previously dreamed of. Or so you would have thought. For the first four years all was fine but last winter my supply of greensand was flooded by the rain and I had to start again this year. Despite my best efforts I could not produce a decent mouldable sand. then I remembered a Youtube video I had watched on using lost foam casting. What a revelation! It made everything so much easier, and cheaper. If you are casting something simple that does not involve complex pattern making then lost foam is the way to go. The fumes and flames are a bit scary but it works and needs no special preparation of the sand!
« Last Edit: June 22, 2017, 12:59:25 AM by NormanV »

Offline awemawson

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Re: Lost foam casting
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2017, 01:34:57 PM »
Norman,

I have recently sold my gas powered furnace and all the accoutrements, including some drums of Mansfield Sand. The chap who bought it all abandoned one of the drums as he was worried that his van was over loaded (it probably was !)

So I have a big blue poly drum, the sort about the size of a 45 gallon drum but with a clip on removable lid that is yours free gratis if you want to arrange collection. I can tie it on a pallet for you if it helps.

Andrew Mawson
East Sussex

Offline NormanV

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Re: Lost foam casting
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2017, 03:50:57 PM »
Andrew, that is a very generous offer. Could you give me some time to sort out a method of collection? I might be coming down your way within the next couple of months.
Norman

Offline awemawson

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Re: Lost foam casting
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2017, 04:04:49 PM »
Absolutely Norman, it's just sitting there unloved, and it's so bally heavy it's not going to walk away !
Andrew Mawson
East Sussex