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Post by thetyler701 on Mar 25, 2020 21:42:13 GMT
Hey all, just wanted to say I will be starting a really fun project of casting a bronze sword, as of right now I’m probably gonna do sand casting. Theirs a few videos on YouTube that break it down so I’m not asking for a detailed tutorial. I was just wondering if any of you have experience or knowledge with this. Maybe some tips and pointers that will be nice to know ahead of time! Thank you.
Tyler
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Mar 25, 2020 22:12:44 GMT
Awesome project. You don't want advice from me...my one and only casting experience caused a splattering molten metal moment... Avoid those!
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Mar 25, 2020 22:23:11 GMT
Sounds like an interesting project. Keep us posted. A word of caution though; Having cast lead bullets for about a half century I suggest eye protection. If the least amount of water is present you will experience an explosion like with Sir Thorfinn. This can come from several causes such as condensation, moisture in your sand, etc. Don't forget to vent your mold to allow air to escape as the bronze flows in. Good luck and we'll be watching.
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Post by thetyler701 on Mar 25, 2020 22:57:41 GMT
Sounds like an interesting project. Keep us posted. A word of caution though; Having cast lead bullets for about a half century I suggest eye protection. If the least amount of water is present you will experience an explosion like with Sir Thorfinn. This can come from several causes such as condensation, moisture in your sand, etc. Don't forget to vent your mold to allow air to escape as the bronze flows in. Good luck and we'll be watching. Casting lead bullets is something I’ve been meaning to do, as I am an avid flintlock shooter. I enjoyed the project of making black powder. Was really fun. But I have yet to melt lead.
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Post by thetyler701 on Mar 27, 2020 2:00:35 GMT
Sounds like an interesting project. Keep us posted. A word of caution though; Having cast lead bullets for about a half century I suggest eye protection. If the least amount of water is present you will experience an explosion like with Sir Thorfinn. This can come from several causes such as condensation, moisture in your sand, etc. Don't forget to vent your mold to allow air to escape as the bronze flows in. Good luck and we'll be watching. Any idea how to know how much material I need for the cast? Should I measure the water displacement of the 3D model?
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Mar 27, 2020 2:20:32 GMT
Sounds like an interesting project. Keep us posted. A word of caution though; Having cast lead bullets for about a half century I suggest eye protection. If the least amount of water is present you will experience an explosion like with Sir Thorfinn. This can come from several causes such as condensation, moisture in your sand, etc. Don't forget to vent your mold to allow air to escape as the bronze flows in. Good luck and we'll be watching. Any idea how to know how much material I need for the cast? Should I measure the water displacement of the 3D model? That should give you a rough idea of the minimum required but should exceed that as there will be flash involved.
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Post by thetyler701 on Mar 27, 2020 3:41:34 GMT
Any idea how to know how much material I need for the cast? Should I measure the water displacement of the 3D model? That should give you a rough idea of the minimum required but should exceed that as there will be flash involved. Do you have a recommendation for where to get the materials? I don’t mind buying copper and tin separately, obviously buying bronze is easier. Just curious where the best place to go is. Are their places I can go to locally or is it best to get it online? I live in Dallas. Tomorrow I plan on ordering a crucible and building a furnace.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Mar 27, 2020 12:45:33 GMT
That should give you a rough idea of the minimum required but should exceed that as there will be flash involved. Do you have a recommendation for where to get the materials? I don’t mind buying copper and tin separately, obviously buying bronze is easier. Just curious where the best place to go is. Are their places I can go to locally or is it best to get it online? I live in Dallas. Tomorrow I plan on ordering a crucible and building a furnace. Sorry, I’m not familiar with the Dallas area. You might try the junk yards. I would occasionally find stuff there and I had a friend that frequent one more often than I and found all kinds of stuff we could use.
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Post by nebulatech on Sept 12, 2020 3:47:41 GMT
I realize this is an old thread, but boatyard may be a source for bronze. For instance, thru hull fittings, some port lights and other parts are typically bronze, specifically silicon bronze, I don't know if that matters. These often get changed at boat yards, and I bet they would save some of the old parts for free just to see the metal go to good use.
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