Thread: Casting an Aluminium Sinker Mould

I used to make sinker moulds out of car body filler ..it worked very effectively . The molten lead had nil effect on the mould . I used the kitchen stove . But that was in 1970 when body filler was made from all sorts of nasty chemicals . The present day stuff may not work . But give it a try . MIKE

RayG has done a series of write-ups. If you do a forum search for posts by him with 'casting' in the title you will find them.

Originally Posted by Bryan

RayG has done a series of write-ups. If you do a forum search for posts by him with 'casting' in the title you will find them.

Or you can download all five threads as a pdf

https://www.woodworkforums.com/attach...casting101.pdf

For on-off aluminium parts, you can try a technique called "lost foam" casting, do a google search for the details, but basically the method involves making a master from polystyrene foam, you bury the foam in a bucket of sand, then pour the molten aluminium in and the polystyrene foam vapourizes leaving the part you wanted. I've never done it, so i'd be interested in how well it works..

Regards
Ray

Afternoon RayG and others; recent article January MEW pp52-55. The article is principally about a simple hot wire cutter to shape the polystyrene, but details are all there (illustrates machine handwheel).
Mark

I snagged a reel of ni-chrome wire from a former employer, so if anyone wants some sing out. I've made a simple hot wire cutter with it using it and a car battery charger - works a treat.

Michael

hi Michael do you think it would cut glass.
aaron

It wouldn't cut glass. It's a high resistance wire (used for heating elements) and glows red hot when a current is passed through. It cuts the foam by melting it. You adjust the heat into the wire to suit the thickness of foam you are cutting, so that the foam only just melts around the wire. The melting point of glass would be far too high. It only works for foam because of the low melting point and the low specific heat.

Michael

Originally Posted by Michael G

I snagged a reel of ni-chrome wire from a former employer, so if anyone wants some sing out. I've made a simple hot wire cutter with it using it and a car battery charger - works a treat.

Michael

You an salvage ni chrome wire from old electric room heater elements . MIKE

Can you make you molds from billet aluminum bar stock? I have some 3/4" thick x2" wide aluminum that would be perfect for that. Just hinge or pin the 2 halfs together after you drill the pour holes and shape the inside where the sinker will be. Just my thoughts as i have made them before that way..Bob