Recommendations
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A page listing links, companies I've dealt with and books I've found useful.
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There are hundreds of good web sites out there dealing with home foundry work, I'm only listing ones I have had personal dealings with.
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Lionel's site has probably encouraged more people to start metal casting than any other. "keep it simple, keep it cheap" would seem to be his philosophy, and it works! Lots of varied information, books for beginers, even D.I.Y. propane furnace kits. A "must have a look at site."
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Roger, a fellow British metal caster, has put together a very interesting site here. Being a much cleverer person than I, he goes into a lot more technical detail than I do and his projects also reflect this. Want a cast name plate for your house or other "Custom Casting"? He's your man.
Although I've managed to get him to change his attitude towards waste oil furnaces, he is still playing around with propane (must have more money than sense!), but he does have a nice set up and shows how it was built. Another "must have a look at site"!
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My first site, mainly superseded by this one.
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Where to get foundry materials
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As you've probably gathered from this site, I keep my metal casting as cheap as possible, therefore I don't deal with many companies. These I can recommend as good companies for the humble home caster to deal with, none are close to me so all my dealings have been mail order.
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Hoben Int. Ltd. Spencroft Rd., Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 9JE. Tel.01782-383000
Very good prices for Salamander crucibles, also a good supplier for investment / lost wax casting supplies (something I'm just starting with, and they've been very helpful). They'll keep my business!
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John Winter and Co. P.O. Box 21, Washer Lane Works, Halifax. Tel 01422-3642
Believe it or not, a foundry suppliers who have a model enginering dept. so they will supply smaller quantities of foundry "goodies" to the likes of us.
Call them for a catalogue.
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Purimachos Waterloo Rd., Bristol, BS2 0PG
Tel. 0117 9554361
Refractory and other high temp. material manufacturers. After all the very helpful advise they've offered me, I will always buy my refractory from them. Good products with a very good service to back it up.
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Books
I love books, forget ebooks! Even with a lap top you can't get the same enjoyment as sitting in a quiet place and burying your nose in a book!
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Camden Miniature Steam Services
Barrow Farm, Rode, Frome, Somerset, BA11 6PS.
Not a book, but where to buy them. A great selection of books on a wide range of practical subjects, virtually every "workshop book" I've bought has come from them, fast friendly service!
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Dave and Vince Gingery's Books
Dave was responsible for getting me started in home foundry work, my wife will never forgive him!
Having read books written by both father and son, I can only say I would be very surprised if you were disappointed with any of them!
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Foundry Work For The Amateur and The Backyard foundry. B. Terry Aspin
I have both of these books and although they "overlap" in their information, I'm glad I bought them both. Very good information on casting, pattern making and cores.