During the design phase of some metal work projects you will be faced
with the question of how you should tackle a project, some projects
have a fine line between the decision of whether you should fabricate
from steel or sheet metal, or to cast metal in a sand mould.
It is possible that you already may have had a project where you cannot
decide between making a complex pattern to sand cast the project. Or to
leave the foundry equipment in the corner, and attempt to fabricate the
component from steel or sheet metal.
Now, once you learn the tricks and techniques of sand casting, you are
normally hell - bent on casting everything in sight.
But have you ever
thought that the one off part or project you are about to embark on may
be produced much quicker through fabrication,
than it is to make up a new pattern, then go through the entire foundry
processes of: Making of patterns, Making Sand Moulds - Charge &
melt a crucible of metal, and then pour the molten metal.
There's often been times in the workshop where the latter, (to
fabricate) has been the most economical, and the quickest way to
produce an item in steel, instead of cast aluminium or bronze. One of
the major problems with most hobby casters, is the lack of machine
tools & equipment to carry out proper fabrication operations.
Now, there's no need to feel as though you are an inadequate metal
worker just because you do not possess general workshop fabrication
skills or equipment, because you may never have had the opportunity to
learn them, but with a little guidance and proper instruction, it is
not that hard to learn how to operate the following machines.
Bench or Pedestal Drill: Equipped with drill table vice, plus a good set of high-speed steel drills.
Collection Of General Workshop Tools: The usual workshop hand
tools, engineers hammer, hacksaw, various grades of files, center
punches, engineers rulers, vernier callipers, etc, etc.
Welding Equipment: Oxy Welding Outfit, ideal for light sheet metal
fabrication and brazing or bronze welding, an electric arc welder
ranging between 150 to 200 amps.
Bench Grinder: Bench grinders are designed to accept various other pieces of
equipment such as belt linishing tool, drill grinding and sharpening jigs,
Hand Held Angle Grinders: These great workshop tools come in 4",
6", 9" size, handy for finishing the edges of metal, cleaning up weld
beads or cutting light sheet metal, various resinoid discs can be
mounted on the grinder.
Last but no least, is the bench lathe, probably luxury item to a lot of
home workshop people but worth its weight in gold if you can afford to
buy one.
Screw Cutting Bench Lathe:
Keep a look out for a good second-hand lathe from dealers or private
sales. A lathe will pay for itself many times over in a very short
time. I may have mentioned in a previous newsletter that the more metal
working skills you acquire the easier your metal casting becomes,
simply because you are able to produce so many items of tools &
equipment your self.
If you are really serious about building your own gear, or fabricating
special tooling etc, then why not use the vast resources offered by the
technical colleges right in your own community. Your taxes help to
equip these institutions so why not reap some
benefits from your community contributions.
Enrol in some night classes to learn welding, machining or whatever it
is that takes your fancy, there are hundreds of thousands of dollars
worth of gear sitting idle in many of these colleges, so make some
Inquiries, enrol, and get to use some of the gear bought, and
installedby you're hard earned taxes.
Col Croucher.
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- Article by Col Croucher of http://www.myhomefoundry.com - the definitive
source for hobby metal casters of all ages. While at the web site you
can download a free ebook to learn about, & understand hobby metal
craft.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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