dyuv001 Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 Hello. This is my first post so please bear with me. I have been reading the forums for a while and really want to get into metalworking as a hobby having seen an amazing casting and forging demonstration years ago. I am always designing and sketching objects and sculptures and want to start making them a reality. Problem being though is space as I live in crowded suburbia. I want to start small and learn all the right techniques but wanted to ask if you guys can help me by advising me on the best way to set up a small casting set up, easy enough and safe enough to be used in a compact garden/deck area. I want to start small by learning casting first and then move onto forging when am experienced enough. What are the best tools to start with? I know you guys probably get asked this a lot so I am very appreciative. Thanks a bunch David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyGeorge Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 Welcome to IFI, David. If you will edit your profile to list where you are located, you may find that one of the folks on here is close by you and would be willing to help you get set up and started. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Trez Cole Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 check out www.backyardcasting.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tzonoqua Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 if you are very restricted with space you can do very small castings to learn the basics, like pewter or silver, which you can pretty much do in your garage (with proper ventilation), on your back porch or patio, or backyard. Perhaps start small and once you get the hang of it then you can decide whether you can "supersize it' safely within the parameters of your space, and move on to aluminum and brass/bronze/copper alloys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyuv001 Posted February 14, 2012 Author Share Posted February 14, 2012 Sweet as, I'll update my info. I have a small outdoor area that I can use, only problem is it is right next to the neighbours fence. I'll find a way. A store down the road has this kit. What do you guys think of it as a small scale casting kit.http://www.regal.co.nz/category.php?sub_id=125 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmoothBore Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 I started casting lead "fishing sinkers" in my early teens. A cast iron skillet, on a gas stove, was my "crucible".And it all went downhill from there .......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Casting and forging have very little overlap. Experience in one will not get you very far in the other. I consider casting more dangerous though. I've done forging in my basement using a 1 soft firebrick forge powered by a small propane plumber's torch. All my casting I do outdoors. They make very nice electric units you can cast silver and bronze with---looks like a thermos. Me I stick a crucible in my coal forge... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Casting in itself is easy, melt the metal and pour it. The problem come is making patterns and moulding the sand or doing the investment casting. If you really want to to go that route I would recommend spend a lot of time learning how to make patterns and make sure you've got that right. Once you can make patterns a professional shop will for a reasonable fee cast it for you, since patternmaking is the most expensive part. And you don't have to worry about the dangerous bit. Or you can do what I did: make a furnace and don't know what to do with the molten metal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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