[TheForge] New Member introduction.

[Bruce Freeman]

Matt,
I've only cast aluminum, but have read up on casting
other metals.  I recommend you get at least one of
Charlie Ammen's books, and at least one of Gingery's
books.  Those should be available from Lindsay
Publications - request their catalog.

"Bronze" may be a better choice than "brass."  I use
quotation marks because those terms often cross over. 
Traditionally, bronze is copper + tin, and brass is
copper + zinc.  Zinc fumes are quite toxic, and the
fact it fumes during melting means your melt is
changing - not good.  Sure it can be cast and
frequently is, but for home casting, bronze may be the
better choice.

I suggest you start REAL small to get used to the
concepts of casting.  You can melt metal in a "coffee
tin" furnace, but probably not enough metal to cast
the objects you want.  The cost is low and the
experience is valuable, though.

Have GREAT respect for molten metal, but properly
handled it need not be feared.  There's a lot of info
aout there, and folks on this list can help some.

Bruce
NJ/OR

--- MattCrunk at aol.com wrote:

> Hello folks, and happy holidays on this very
> pleasant Christmas eve.
>  
> New member here. I was researching metal casting and
> finishing online and  it 
> lead me to this list. Several lists actually. So
> I've joined them all at once 
>  in hopes of finding my answers.
>  
> My interest in (and knowledge of) metalworking is
> fairly limited and  
> specific. I'm a tattoo artist by trade and also an
> occasional builder of  
> professional tattoo machines (most people outside
> the industry call them guns)  for 
> myself and other artists. I have previously either
> hand made the frames  for my 
> machines by cutting and bending, milling them from
> solid stock,  or purchasing 
> them ready-made from outside sources. But I would
> like to  start casting my own.
>  
> These frames are small, with overall dimensions no
> larger than about 4" x  3" 
> x 1" max. They are commonly cast in iron, brass, or
> steel, and occasionally  
> copper or aluminum. I would prefer to cast in brass.
> They could actually be 
> cast  in any material as long as it was reasonably
> rigid and sturdy.
>  
> I'm vaguely familiar with the casting process, sand
> casting, lost wax, etc.  
> but know nothing about home casting or what such a
> set up  requires. However, 
> seeing that there several yahoo groups and other
> email  lists devoted to 
> home/hobby casting, it makes me think that maybe the
> setup is  at least not cost 
> prohibitive for my needs.
>  
> I'd welcome any advice you could give me on set up,
> sources, etc.  Thanks.
>  
> -Matt Crunk
> 


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