Si Bronze casting

[EASLOOP]

Is it within the realms of possibility for one to set up a smelter for Silicon Bronze at home and to doing some casting? Any info gratefully received.

John

 

[Peterduck]

After watching my local non-ferrous foundryman at work, I think that what I pay him to do the casting for me is cheap. Just the fumes alone would make you the pariah of the neighbourhood. He uses electric induction furnaces, and you should see the cables going from the street to his foundry! I have made so much custom bronzeware for Swallow [and a number of vintage sports cars] that the foundryman and I are on first-name terms, but I would never consider trying to do it myself. The necessary temperatures are just too high, and the whole business is too dangerous, even for small castings. If you make your patterns foundry-friendly that can be challenge enough.
Peter.

 

[Poignard]

These might help:-

There`s a book called "The Backyard Foundry" by Terry Aspin, available from Meadows & Passmore Ltd www.m-p.co.uk. Price £5.50.
Also www.johnwinter.co.uk for supplies and www.foad.com for information

 

[Spuddy]

A friend and I tried this with a furnace used for aluminium. We couldn't get the heat for bronze even though we had it blowing all day.

 

[Poignard]

There`s an active thread dealing with this on the forum of Wooden Boat Magazine.
www.woodenboat.com