IMO, you should cast the bed from zamak or aluminum; it was easy, fun and educational. I did two of them as my first castings. As to the type of steel, you should get Gingery's book and read it. It spells all that out in plain language. Also, watch myfordboy's videos on youtube. Lots of good experience on display there, and no BS soundtrack to turn off.
As for a source, I used onlinemetals.com and was pleased with their service.
On the foundry, I used sand, perlite and refractory clay from a pottery place. I used charcoal at first, but pretty quickly came over from the dark side to embrace propane. It took a little doing to design a workable burner, but now that I have it, it's clean, fast and cheap. Plus, I don't have to sit there with the vacuum cleaner, blowing air up the tuyere... I just light the burner, shove it up the tuyere, and continue pounding sand.
And, as for everyone calling this "the illness", and talking about it like it's an addiction, I say BS! I could quit anytime I want. I just don't ever want to quit.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gingery_machines/app/peoplemap/view/map
No comments:
Post a Comment