Metal Casting Zone Info Blog

Archive for January, 2011

In purchasing kitchen utensil ?Enameled Cast Iron Cookware becomes your first choice

In the selection of enameled Cast Iron Cookware for the kitchen, it is important to understand the nature of the enamel that makes it different from ordinary cast iron pots and pans. Standard cast iron non-stick properties can be given and rendered easier clean by seasoning with hot oil or fat. Baking oil into the frying pan at high temperatures forms a bond that reduces the likelihood of iron rust and always in the food chain, and makes it relatively nonstick and easy to clean.

Enameling is a way to create a barrier between the food and the iron-base, and enameled Cast Iron Cookware should be cleaned fairly easily and has an acceptable level of anti-adhesion properties, when you should try at burning food on the floor or to avoid the sides of the pan. If you do, however, enamel is fairly resistant to scratching – much more so that straight cast iron, stainless steel or nonstick Teflon surfaces. It can therefore tolerate scouring better than these other surfaces, but is very sensitive to knocks and bangs that can chip the enamel off the base.

Enamel is not baked on paint, as many think it to be, but is silica, or glass, that is mixed with pigments and then melted onto the iron surface. The process creates a bond that, while strong enough for normal handling, can chip if given hard knocks. If you drop enameled cookware onto a hard floor, for example, it is liable to chip, but not if you stir the contents with a metal spoon.

Nevertheless, although you can use stainless Carbon Steel Cookware and other metal kitchen implements with enameled cast iron cookware, you are advised not to, and to try to use wood, plastic or silicone. Silicone is a form of plastic that has been cured and cross-linked to render it heat resistant, a property that ordinary plastic kitchen implements lack

Is Wrought Iron Decor or Cast Iron Better for Your Home?

If you were asked if you which you would prefer between wrought iron or cast iron as wall art – would you know the answer? Would know the difference enough to make a choice? Many people are unaware of the differences and perhaps even dismiss the fact that there could be a difference. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. There is a large group of homeowners and decorators that are in that category. Once we know the difference you will know right away just by looking at a piece of iron art whether it is wrought iron or cast iron. At first you may think that of iron work as a more modern style of art. In a lot of cases it is quite the opposite. You will find out that iron work is extremely versatile and anyone can use wrought iron or cast iron pieces in their home.

Though both are have amazing results when added to your home décor and both are able to bring dimension into your home, there is a difference.

Cast iron is just that – iron set in a cast or mold. This allows the iron to take on the intricate designs and details the artist intends for you to see. This also lets you pick a cast iron piece more directed towards the design of a room. For example, if you have a child’s room decorated in in a western style, it would be much easier to find a horse or cowboy hat and lasso. This adds to more of the defining quality in decorating that many look for. Cast iron is also used for many gates, fencing and even furniture in homes and businesses.

Wrought iron is twisted and formed with tools. The winding metal and different shapes and sizes helps you bring elegance and style to any sized room. Many decorators use wrought iron pieces in place of an oil paintinsg or canvas wall art to add variety to the room. A large empty space on a wall that everyone sees would be well suited for a larger piece of wrought iron art. Because you are still able to see the wall color through the wrought iron piece, you are able to use something slightly larger than if you were to choose a painting. The wall color peeking through keeps the piece from becoming to overwhelming.

With both cast iron and wrought iron, you will be more likely to find something for that awkward space, say a smaller space from a corner to a window or a high ceiling and wall in a stairwell. There are many different sizes and shapes as well. Choosing either cast or wrought iron decor will definitely add to your home décor and add that little extra to draw attention to a room or furniture piece.

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Manufacture of Sand Castings

Manufacture of Sand Castings

Engineers have required metal castings for over 5000 years.

As the technical ability of man has progressed, so have the techniques for making a Sand Casting.

Before a foundry can start producing Sand Castings, a number of decisions has to be made regards the Sand Casting Process :

a ) Metal Type

b) Contraction Rate. Ex if the finished product is to be 48″ long, then the pattern / mould cavity, will be approx. 49″long

c) Quality of the finished product, ie manhole cover or Nuclear Submarine part

1)    A pattern is required; this can be made from a cheap timber for single items, or metal for very large quantities.

2)     Cores will be required, if the casting is to have any internal shape

3)    A Foundry Engineer will determine how to ensure the casting is sound.

4)    His final determination is called the Runner System / Method

5)     To form the bottom half of the Mould, sand is now compacted around the bottom half of the pattern.

6)    A joint line is made between the top and bottom half of the mould. 3 dowels or pins are used to ensure the 2 halves of the mould can be put together exactly in the correct position.

7)    Sand is then compacted around the top half of the pattern.

8)    Split the 2 halves of the mould

9)    Carefully take the Pattern out of the sand.

Place any Cores in the mould.

10)   The top and bottom half moulds are clamped or  weighted down

leaving a cavity inside the mould

11) Molten metal is poured down the runner until the mould is full.

12) When cool the casting can be taken out of the mould

For further information on Sand Castings Tolerances please visit jade-trading.com

Introduction for Sand Casting Process with Philip White and Jenny Dunseath in the foundry at Camberwell college of Art London. Video by Chris Follows part of the Process Arts Project – process.arts.ac.uk NOTE: Because the sand is used in a damp condition there is minimal sand dust,and this occurs at the mould face immediately arround the hot metal casting ,clearly visible when the casting is knocked out. At this stage a small watering can or spray will help to stableize this dry material.A standard dust mask could be worn.It is always worth taking sensible precautions with all processes.With sand casting on the scale immagined here keep a water spray handy and use it when cleanig away any dry material. Text Information supplied by Jenny Dunseath: Pattern Making: The Pattern is a full size model of the part that makes an impression in the sand mold, with dimensional allocation for shrinkage and finishing. If the casting is hollow, additional patterns called cores are used to create these cavities in the finished product. Patterns are usually made of wood, plastic, metal, or plaster; however, other materials or combinations of materials are used if there are additional specific properties required of the pattern. Every Pattern must have a draft angle of approximately 2° – 3° to all walls parallel to the parting direction to facilitate removing the part from the mold. Paint the surface of the Pattern with Varnish or Shellac to make it water tight and to ensure that the sand …
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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The oldest pewter giftware company in the world, with the largest collection of antique moulds worldwide, dating from 1700 onwards. company established in 1779

Die Cast Toy Trucks At Lowest Prices Imaginable

Diecast Toy Trucks as well as other sorts of collectible trucks have been manufactured ever since the early 1900′s. Die cast toy trucks, in particular, really are especially well-liked, equally with young children as toys as well as grown ups as memorabilia.

Getting involved in collecting die-cast model vehicles is among the common interests for kids of all ages. In case you have decided you’re starting some sort of die cast model truck collection, or for individuals who are researching an important gift idea for the model truck fanatic, here are a few details to contemplate.

Varieties of Die-cast Vehicles

If you have built up a number of diecast toy trucks and so are thinking about widening your own assortment, you should think about whether your own hobbies are usually restricted specific to toy vehicles or maybe if you also want to get hold of, for instance, diecast cars and trucks. Many people prefer to specialize, while others possess a larger desire for die-cast cars or trucks. You ought to decide ahead of time exactly what your collection may cover before you end up with 2000 toys, only 75 of which truly thrill you. We surely don’t want to develop a model truck city after which determine only motor city classics can do.

Manufacturers of Model Vehicles

Once again, you need to ask yourself a question: Would you like to confine your assortment to some individual make of collectible diecast toy vehicles, or perhaps would you enjoy collecting just about all models of toy vehicles? When you are getting any diecast toy truck as a present, it’s important to learn whether or not a collector in your life has a manufacturer preference. Maybe she or he gathers just Sunstar model vehicles, First Gear toy trucks, Caterpillar (also known as “CAT”) model trucks, New Ray toy vehicles, or perhaps Tonkin toy vehicles. If so, make sure you obtain the die-cast model vehicle which will suit his / her collection.

Scales connected with Toy Vehicles

Much like model trains, die-cast toy vehicles as well as autos consist of a range of scales. Typically, the scales tend to be as follows: 1:18, 1:24, 1:43, and 1:64. A number of people choose to obtain just one scale associated with die-cast model vehicles, though other’s pastimes incorporate getting involved in collecting various scales.

Cataloguing an assortment

On the list of problems that lots of collectors encounter – in particular after they have been getting involved in collecting die-cast model trucks for a number of years – is that they don’t remember exactly what they’ve got. Collectors have developed a wide variety of means of cataloging their own collections. The sooner you begin cataloging, the better off you will end up. If you are seeking the present for your favorite collector, providing them with the resources important to list their assortment is a superb concept.

One thought with regard to cataloging is to obtain a “milk crate” type of box and color-coded folders at an office supply store. You can produce a file for each item in your collection, and can include receipts, photos, the owner’s registration, and so on in the file. If you have a variety of varieties of diecast model vehicles, feel free to use color-coded files in order to distinguish all of them by kind. Another method of cataloging is to buy one or more binders and sheet protectors, and create one sheet for each item in your collection, and keep them together in a binder.

Accumulating die-cast toy vehicles is entertaining as well as gratifying. Adding to your collection, obtaining toy trucks as presents, as well as trading or marketing objects from your collection may well offer you several hours of pleasure.

Most of the lowest cost but most sought after brands of diecast toy trucks we’ve discovered really are obtainable at this moment from http://DiecastToyTrucks.org.

Lighted and Motorized Die Cast Vehicle Diorama Works With Most 1:24 Die Cast Vehicles Spinning Wheels with Speed Control Interchangeable Traffic Light, Streetlamp, and Spotlights Battery Powered and DC Adapter Included Double-Sided Backdrop Excellent Corporate or Promotional Item Great Gift For The Collector Who Has It All

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Among the Favorites: Die Cast Models

Since the beginning of the production of model cars, there have been a total of ninety-six different brands of model cars. Over a period of time, some of them have closed down, resulting in today twelve that are no longer up and running. Among those that are still going strong are the ever popular companies that use the die cast model to create their cars.

The Kinds of Models

There are four scales in which the die cast models are built. These are: 1:18, 1:24, 1:48, and 1:43. The models that are created today are based off of real existing cars. They include much more detail from these cars so that they match the description as much to the T as possible. They do try to make some of the things function. While the steering wheel and the wheels might not work, you can normally open the doors and the trunk, as well as the hood on the 1:32, 1:48, and 1:43 scale cars. This is better than the first die cast models that didn’t have any real life action whatsoever. The reason for adding this was to beat the competition brought on by different parts of the world who were adding more and more detail to make these model cars almost life-like, just miniature. Before long, they added more things such as working suspensions, headlights, and other features as well.

Who Makes the Models?

The United States and The United Kingdom were the first two countries to market the die cast models right after Matchbox was created. It was slow at first. Models were offered for order in catalogues, but as the popularity increased they began to cater to the wishes of their clientele. What were once basic models with no special features changed in the 1970′s when buyers wanted the cars to depict the cars of their dreams. In the 1980′s there was licensing to the die cast models. This meant that the different companies that produced die cast models would sign agreements that license them to make replicas of cars that particular car companies manufacture. The companies can even have their logos imprinted on the car and they also enter into the agreements. Some of these licensing agreements are for companies to produce models that the car companies no longer produce. Examples of the premium models being described here are produced by firms such as: Franklin Mint, Danbury Mint, and Fairfield Mint. Other examples of some of the lower end die cast model producers include companies such as: Maisto, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, and Corgi.

These companies have been bringing fun to people for almost fifty years. They have allowed people to use their creative minds to paint cars in the colors that they see fit. They have let the mind wander as to what sort of car every boy and girl wishes to have. Men have been included in this as well, as real life sets in, and bills have to be paid. What more could a man ask for in a toy that has become so popular after all?

Cast Iron Radiator Basics

One of the biggest things about cast iron radiators, is understanding how best to install, fit and use them. Cast iron radiators aren’t quite the same as some of the more modern radiators – many of the aficionados of cast iron radiators and products swear they heat better than the more modern types, while others say they are easier to use, easier to control and easier to work with.

- Installing cast iron radiators is no different to installing other radiators. There are very few different fixtures and fittings that may be required, and it’s possible your pipes may need to converted but other than that, cast iron radiator fitting can be as straight forward as installing other types of radiator.

- You can buy a range of styles and designs to help create the perfect environment for your room and give you the best of whatever you need. It’s amazing to see the different designs that are available, from replicas or copies of some of the nicest styles of the older radiators in grand houses.

- Just like ‘normal’ radiators, there’s a lot of calculations that need to be done before installing one or more of the radiators to ensure that you’re getting the best out of your installations and ensure that you’re not wasting heat or your money with additionally installed pieces, or needing to overheat or run your boiler constantly. This will save you money and allow you to enjoy your radiators in situ without needing to worry about burning yourself or damaging the walls underneath.

Understanding how to care for your radiator

Understanding the care and protection of your radiators is crucial to keeping them in pristine condition. It’s important to ensure that if you’re flushing the system occasionally, to keep sludge and other settled materials from building up such as lime scale. Your radiator installer can discuss protecting your system and keeping it flowing regularly, without needing to resort to expensive flushes. Painted radiators also stay pristine if you’re careful not to bump them and keep them cleaned well. Keeping them dust free and unobstructed will allow you to enjoy their heat and keep them looking attractive.

If your radiator becomes chipped or needs repainted, it’s important to find the same sort of paint or the same general *type* of paint – repairing may not be seamless but it may be very close with luck. Alternatively, you can contact the manufacturer of your radiator and see what paint they’ve used, or if they have repair kits. If they do, you may find that they can send you a repair kit, or have a recommended fitter that can come ‘repair’ the chips or scratches in your radiator, leaving you to enjoy them.

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Shopping for Cast Iron Cookware

There are so many options available in cast iron cookware today. A virtual cornucopia of shapes, sizes, styles and colors are available to suit any cook’s need or wishes. Perhaps one of the best places to shop for cast iron cookware is at Your Smart Kitchen.com, due to the vast variety of products they offer. Carefully consider what sizes you are interested, based on the number of people you generally cook for. Then determine which pieces would be most efficient for the meals you like to prepare. Lastly, take a look at the beautiful enamel coated offerings in gorgeous colors, and have some fun with it!

The traditional classic black cast iron cookware offers wonderful heat retention properties and the health benefits of increasing iron in your diet. From the frying pans and grills to the multipurpose Dutch oven, you can cook just about anything you can imagine. Cast iron cookware can be used on gas, electric or induction method cooking surfaces; however glass top cooking surfaces should be avoided. There are some beautiful specialty pans available for specific uses, such as the fish grill (shaped like a fish) and the steak grill (shaped like a cow!) Not only are these grills functional, but they would make great decorative pieces in a rustic or country kitchen, as well. Cast iron cookware is rugged and durable, yet priced very economically, considering the long life span these pans have.

In addition to the classic black, Your Smart Kitchen.com also offers a fabulous selection of “Chasseur” brand enamel coated cast iron cookware. These fine products are made in France and are both beautiful and reliable. These products have all the wonderful properties of the classic black cast iron cookware, with the added beauty and benefit of two coats of colorful porcelain enamel. These pans also do not require seasoning, and have the added benefit of easy clean-up, too. The enamel coating is extremely durable and also prevents corrosion.

The Chasseur brand round Dutch Oven is available in seven different sizes, from one and three-quarters quarts to six and three-quarters quarts. It also comes in red, blue, green or yellow enamel, to match any kitchen color scheme. In addition, rectangular and round casserole pans come in a variety of sizes and colors. These pans are perfect for egg or potato dishes, macaroni and cheese, lasagna, and even desserts such as pineapple upside down cake and bread pudding. The knobs on the lids are heat resistant up to 400 degrees, and all Chasseur pieces have a ten year warranty.

Color Cast enamel coated cast iron cookware is also featured at Your Smart Kitchen.com. These attractive pots are designed for cooking and then double as a decorative serving piece as well. You will please your family and guests with the beautiful presentation of your meal in cast iron cookware. Luscious pot roasts, stews and chilis can be enjoyed straight from the oven to the table. After the meal is finished, these cooking pots can go straight to the refrigerator for easy storage and reheating. (Less dishes to wash, too!)

Of special note is the two and a half quart Color Cast red enamel casserole which functions as two pieces in one. This pan is a full sized casserole with the added function of a lid which can double as a ten inch round grill pan! Also impressive is the Color Cast non-stick fry pan. This pan is perfect for sautéing as it comes with two pour spouts on either side of the pan, to allow you to save the pan juices from your foods. It is also great for frying, as the cast iron core absorbs heat and redistributes it evenly. Lastly, the Color Cast products are also dishwasher safe!

Choosing Kitchen Utensils for Enameled Cast Iron Cookware

When choosing kitchen implements for enameled cast iron cookware, it is important to understand the nature of the enamel that makes it different from ordinary cast iron pots and pans. Standard cast iron can be given nonstick properties and rendered easier to clean by seasoning with hot oil or grease. Baking oil into the pan at high temperature forms a bond that reduces the likelihood of rusting and iron getting into the food, and also makes it relatively nonstick and easier to clean.

Enameling is also a way of creating a barrier between the food and the iron base, and enameled cookware is fairly easy to clean and possesses an acceptable degree of nonstick properties, though you should try to avoid burning food onto the bottom or sides of the pan. If you do, however, enamel is fairly resistant to scratching – much more so that straight cast iron, stainless steel or nonstick Teflon surfaces. It can therefore tolerate scouring better than these other surfaces, but is very sensitive to knocks and bangs that can chip the enamel off the base.

Enamel is not baked on paint, as many think it to be, but is silica, or glass, that is mixed with pigments and then melted onto the iron surface. The process creates a bond that, while strong enough for normal handling, can chip if given hard knocks. If you drop enameled cookware onto a hard floor, for example, it is liable to chip, but not if you stir the contents with a metal spoon.

Nevertheless, although you can use stainless steel and other metal kitchen implements with enameled cast iron cookware, you are advised not to, and to try to use wood, plastic or silicone. Silicone is a form of plastic that has been cured and cross-linked to render it heat resistant, a property that ordinary plastic kitchen implements lack.

Wood is best for any type of cookware, but most people have a set of wooden spoons in their kitchen arsenal, and perhaps a wooden spatula , but very little else. You can get a wider range online, but the ladles and slotted spoons tend to be very small in comparison to their metal or plastic alternatives.

Plastic is excellent in respect of protecting your cookware, but it can be soft and can get even softer when hot. Not only that, but forget to take it off the pot when cooking and you will have given a new meaning to plastic food! The same is true of a plastic spatula or fish slice: these kitchen tools rarely last long without showing signs of a few burns. Which takes us to silicone kitchen tools.

Silicone kitchen implements are heat-rated, and some are rated as high as 900 degrees, so they will not soften or melt in the same way as normal plastic. There is also a good range of silicone implements, such as turkey lifters, fish slices, spatulas and cooking spoons, but still not as many as are available in stainless steel.

The problem with stainless steel is not that it scratches enamel, because it doesn’t as long as you are not trying hard to do so, but that if you hit the pan with a heavy stainless implement it might chip. Nevertheless, it is possible to use stainless kitchen utensils for enameled cast iron cookware as long as you are careful, and make sure that you don’t knock or drop any implements onto the pan.

Taking an overall view, when choosing kitchen utensils for enameled cast iron cookware you are likely best advised to use wood or silicone where you can, particularly for stirring spoons and the like, and stainless steel where you must. That is a reasonable compromise, but if you prefer to have a battery of tools hanging from racks on your kitchen wall, then stainless steel looks great but be very careful when using them.

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Advantages of Cast Iron Cookware

• Even Cooking – Cast iron is an incredibly dense metal that heats very slowly as compared to metals like copper and aluminum. But once heated, Cast Iron Cookwarewill hold that heat for a long time. The metal also gives a steady heat that helps foods brown beautifully and cook evenly.

Strong and sturdy-Cast iron cookware will definitely last a lifetime and then some. Just try and put a dent in one of these things! Seasoned cast iron is impervious to rust and will actually improve during years of use. Even if you let your cast iron get a little rusty, all you have to do is scour off the rust, re-season the pan, and you’re off and running.

• Nonstick Cooking without Nonstick Coating – The seasoning on a cast iron skillet does more than protect it from corroding, it also gives the surface a naturally nonstick coating. We can cook pancakes, omelets, skillet breads, and a host of other delicate foods without fear that they will stick. A newly seasoned cast iron skillet might still have some sticky spots, but the surface will become more nonstick as the pan is used over time.

• Inexpensive – With prices on just about everything creeping steadily upwards, it’s nice to find an honest-to-goodness real deal out there. You can find a large skillet for around , and other products ranging above and below depending on what they are. Check out Lodge Cast Iron Cookware for some good products.

• Multi-Tasking Tool – Cast iron can wear a lot of hats in the kitchen. We’ve used our big skillet to replace a roasting pan, to make pizza on the stove top, and as a burner plate when simmering something on very low heat. We even once used it to improvise a cooling rack for bread! If you have limited storage space in your kitchen, investing in just a few pieces of cast iron can help cut down on the clutter.

• Stove Top to Oven – We also love the versatility of Cast Iron Cookware. We can use it over the highest flame on the stove top, keep it at a medium heat in the oven, or stick it in the coals of a campfire. This kind of flexibility is ideal for recipes that start on a burner and then finish in the oven, like seared steaks or frittatas.

Ok, those are all the reasons we can think of why we love cast iron. What about you?