Metal Casting Zone Info Blog

Hello,

Now that you have learned the basics of Metal Casting, you can begin to
get a broader perspective of the entire Casting Process as a whole.

Metal casting has endured through the ages since the time of
Ancient Egypt, possibly longer. Since then small foundries have
developed to meet the needs of the individual caster. There are
several reasons that people choose to create their own home grown
foundries. A top reason is the need to create parts and pieces
that are no longer available on the market or that are just too
expensive to purchase. Those who get into metal casting for this
reason are usually interested in restoration projects, home
improvement projects, or hobby building like model planes and trains.
Artists are the other group that see metal casting as a cheap and
easy way to create sculptures from small to large. Jewelers even
use metal casting to create complex pieces that would just
otherwise be impossible to create.

Given the wide scope of metal casting there are several methods
and techniques that have developed. For those new to metal casting
or for those wanting to try some of these other methods may find
it difficult to find information on your own. Luckily, there are
several metal casting associations and groups that are more then
willing to share information and exchange ideas, projects, and
pictures of the goings on in the their home foundries.

On the internet, metal casting associations and groups are either
message boards full of casters where they can ask questions, post
ideas, and pictures or are websites that are maintained by a set
group of people offering general information and educational resources.

Both of these types of websites are incredibly helpful to metal
casters who can benefit from the educational purposes of some of
the sites tempered with the real life applications and experiences
of the message boards.

There will be more industrial foundry and metal casting information
than sites directed at the small home foundries. Industrial metal
casting sites can be wonderful sources of information so do not
skip by these. Use both small metal casting sites and industrial
sites to your advantage.

One of the most popular message board type sites for information
is the Casting Hobby Group found through Yahoo Groups. This casting
group was developed and maintained by experienced metal casters and
enjoys a high amount of activity. This is a great place to go to
for quick information and ideas not to mention photos and even
furnace building plans.

The Casting Hobby Group can be found at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/castinghobby/

The Association of Backyard Metal Casters is located at
http://www.abymc.com/.  This online metal casting association
has an extensive membership complete with informative articles,
forums, and even live chat. Of course, pictures are posted on the
site to give visitors ideas about what other furnaces and foundries
look like. Don’t worry if you’re foundry isn’t pretty, there
actually doesn’t seem to be very many of them that are.

Now, The American Foundry Society is mainly for the industrial
metal casters and companies but they also promote information and
education to consumers. The information provided on the site is
great for anyone wishing to follow advancements in metal casting
technology. There is even an online store.

http://www.afsinc.org/ is the online home for the American Foundry Society.

For the most part metal casting associations and groups exist on
the local level more than a unifying force on the web. What does
exist on the web is a great source of information, ideas,
and insight. It is a great idea to join any of the groups you can
in order to share and find knowledge.

Here is a link to a Web Page that provides more information about this
Metal Casting topic:
http://www.metalcastingzone.com/casting-associations/

P.S.
There is more…If you sign up as a member of Metal Casting Zone, you
will get special access to 2 Free eBooks on the site. Both of the eBooks
are about Metal Casting Basics.  Here is the best part, becoming a member is Free!
Wait…Both of the Metal Casting Basics eBooks are free!

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