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I started forging, knives for the time being, a while ago. Once I graduate to swords, I already have some parts I want cast in bronze. Which is, apparantly, eas

by hef19898 3y ago

I started forging, knives for the time being, a while ago. Once I graduate to swords, I already have some parts I want cast in bronze. Which is, apparantly, easier to do than metal casting. In the speed I work on this stuff so, ask me again in 5-10 years whether or not it is actually true...

jacquesm 3y ago
Bronze casting is metal casting.
- hef19898 3y ago
  Hah, there I read metal as iron/steel in my head... it surely is hot round here...
  - jacquesm 3y ago
    If I may suggest: if you want to get into this stuff start off with lost foam (xps for best results) casts in Aluminum. It's probably the simplest process (after casting lead...) and it will at least give you an idea of the basics before more complicated moves.
zrobotics 3y ago
Tip for future you: start with aluminum, it's much more approachable. Just make sure your feed stock is a castable alloy, stuff like t6 or cans will make terrible castings. Easiest way to do this is to use chunks of scrap that you know were cast, so look for signs that the original part was cast like mold lines or unmachined surfaces. The reason to start with aluminum is the temp is way lower so it's much easier to build the furnace and the metal is cheap and readily available. You aren't wasting your time, since all the basics of mold design still apply such as controlling shrinkage and preventing freeze off. Paul's garage on YouTube has some excellent videos that cover the process in an instructional way, many of the other channels that cover casting just focus on the finished project. While very cool, these videos aren't always super helpful for a beginner. People also hate on the gingery books, but there is a wealth of super useful information there and the fundamentals haven't changed. It's a super fun hobby, especially if you're already into blacksmithing. But do be careful and definitely heed the safety warnings, there is definitely the potential for an explosion or very harmful fumes.
- hef19898 3y ago
  Thanks for the tip with aluminium, I'll keep that in mind. Once I get to it so, I'm already 8 months late on my son's kukri... Lucky for me so, the maker space I forge at, sometimes, has a blacksmith that drops by. So if I need help, there is a pro available!

jacquesm 3y ago

Bronze casting is metal casting.

hef19898 3y ago
Hah, there I read metal as iron/steel in my head... it surely is hot round here...
- jacquesm 3y ago
  If I may suggest: if you want to get into this stuff start off with lost foam (xps for best results) casts in Aluminum. It's probably the simplest process (after casting lead...) and it will at least give you an idea of the basics before more complicated moves.

zrobotics 3y ago

Tip for future you: start with aluminum, it's much more approachable. Just make sure your feed stock is a castable alloy, stuff like t6 or cans will make terrible castings. Easiest way to do this is to use chunks of scrap that you know were cast, so look for signs that the original part was cast like mold lines or unmachined surfaces. The reason to start with aluminum is the temp is way lower so it's much easier to build the furnace and the metal is cheap and readily available. You aren't wasting your time, since all the basics of mold design still apply such as controlling shrinkage and preventing freeze off. Paul's garage on YouTube has some excellent videos that cover the process in an instructional way, many of the other channels that cover casting just focus on the finished project. While very cool, these videos aren't always super helpful for a beginner. People also hate on the gingery books, but there is a wealth of super useful information there and the fundamentals haven't changed. It's a super fun hobby, especially if you're already into blacksmithing. But do be careful and definitely heed the safety warnings, there is definitely the potential for an explosion or very harmful fumes.

hef19898 3y ago
Thanks for the tip with aluminium, I'll keep that in mind. Once I get to it so, I'm already 8 months late on my son's kukri... Lucky for me so, the maker space I forge at, sometimes, has a blacksmith that drops by. So if I need help, there is a pro available!