Metal Casting Zone Info Blog

Archive for April, 2011

SIKU Toys ? All time favorite die cast toys

Siku Toys are produced by a German company called Sieper Lüdenscheid GmbH & Co. KG. The year 1921 saw the foundation of the company, while it extensively began manufacturing toys in 1950. Gradually SIKU developed a range of car models which gained immense popularity. The word “SIKU” was formed using the first two initials of its founder Richard Sieper and “Kunststoffe” which is the German word for plastic.

SIKU’s Super Series 1:55 die-cast is still one of SIKU’s highly selling products apart from an admirable and enviable range of vehicle range. You can check out the entire range of vehicles offered by SIKU category wise viz. Agriculture, Bus and Rail, Camping and Leisure , Classic Cars , Cranes , Emergency Rescue , Gift Sets , Local Community Service , Military , Police ,Private Cars , Roadworks , Special Purpose Vehicles, Transporters and Loaders and Winter Service. For those of you who love collecting vintage car models, SIKU offers a series of them in the scale 1:50 and the most preferred one of them being the Mercedes Platform Truck with Round Bonnet.

By introducing the V-series in 1955, SIKU toys become very popular. The V series were replicas of licensed vehicles and were in about 1/64th to scale. In 1960′s SIKU models were made out of zinc alloy and spray painted by hand. The 1970′s saw toys being made out of metal models while plastic models were slowly eased out.

The 1980′s witnessed the introduction of the SIKU FARMER series which contained toys at the scale of 1:32 which primarily are required for farming purposes. Till date, the SIKU FARMER series is still one of the most popular offerings from SIKU. Moving over to offer a vintage range of tractor models, SIKU introduced the SIKU FARMERCLASSIC range at the scale of 1:32, in the year 2002. The year 2005, SIKUSUPERCLASSIC series was introduced comprising of highly detailed fire-engines in the vintage variety at the scale of 1:50. The latest introduction is the launch of a new radio-controlled generation of models. Do check out the truck with the MAN lowboy semi-trailer or the John Deere track tractor which are easy to operate and play with.

Make sure you check out the entire range of Siku Farm Toys such as John Deere 7530, Tractor with Hay Loader, Claas Ares with Front Loader, Tractor Deut with Front Loader, Rider Lawn Mover, Lamborghini Tractor and so on. Today, SIKU toys are extremely popular and aspired for. The SIKU Gift Sets which are available in various ranges such as Farmer 1, Farmer 2, Cars, etc prove to pretty affordable and valuable for gifting to loved ones especially if they love collecting vehicle models. With most of them available online along with the related accessories and spares, you could easily buy them and gift them to somebody as well.

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Clearance sale !!! Mizuno MX-200 Irons 9 for sale with free shipping !

The Mizuno MX-200 Iron’s sees Grain Flow Forged forgiveness takes a huge step forward with the introduction of Y-Tune. A milled deep pocket cavity – that keeps the MX-200’s one piece feel intact – enhances the large sweet area even further. This allows the sweet area to match the miss hit patterns of amateur golfers. The MX-200 is the iron for both amateurs and professionals with a solid hitting area combined with an aggressive sole design. Mizuno’s MX-200 matches cast irons for forgiveness and increases the effectiveness of the sweet area by moving it towards the toe area of the club giving extra distance even on mishits. The X-200 iron proves that forged irons can be as playable as cast irons for the mid to low handicapper.

The new MX-200 irons with Y-tune technology are a quantum leap forward in forgiving, game improvement irons with the added benefit of unmistakeable Grain Flow Forged feel. Y-Tune technology successfully extends and expands the sweet area of the clubface out towards the toe to deliver amazing forgiveness on mis-hits. Through the use of a reengineered external power bar and inner Y-shaped cavity pad, the MX-200s are tuned for unbelievable forgiveness, great trajectory, and amazing feel. Further enhancing the forgiveness of the MX-200 is a slightly larger clubhead and the creation of a super-deep, milled pocket that creates a lower, deeper center of gravity, and delivers an easy, high launch. The MX-200 irons with Y-Tune Technology are unmatched in the industry for game improvement forgiveness and solid forged feel.

Innovative Y-Tune Technology provides a massive sweet area for unsurpassed forgiveness. Grain Flow Forged, 1025E Pure Select mild carbon steel provides the ultimate soft, solid, consistent feel. Durable double nickel chrome plated finish Modified U-grooves produce the ideal spin rate for maximum playability in all conditions.

Mizuno MX-200 Irons 9 for sale with free shipping !

The Mizuno MX-200 Irons are a big improvement on the MX-25 Irons. Not only do they look better but the Y-tune design on the back of the head does make them very forgiving. The other major benefit is that the trajectory is excellent throughout the set and the ball does not balloon off the face despite the cavity pocket on the back of the club head. This weighting does mean that the lofts on the Mizuno MX-200 irons are a little stronger than the corresponding MP irons. However the feel is almost as good as the MP irons as the forged heads offer great feedback combines with lots of confidence from the oversized heads. We really like the short irons where the cavity has been reduced and is covered up to give a sleek look and great feedback. The Mizuno MX-200 irons are one of the best forged irons around for mid handicappers so try them out!

The Mizuno MX 200 is the perfect club for the higher handicapper who doesn’t want his irons too big. The increasing size of irons for the less able golfer these days can make you feel like you are the last kid at school to have stabilisers on their bike when you pull them out of the bag. Mizuno’s brilliant design means that feeling is less obvious but you don’t lose anything in forgiveness or consistency. Even on mishits I found the ball would travel without too great a loss of either distance or accuracy. I found the Mizuno MX 200′s a pleasure to hit right the way through the bag.

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Foundry: Metal Casting

Metal casting is what the name suggests. Basically metal casting is the process of melting down metal into a liquid state. The liquid metal is then poured into a cast; this cast allows the metal to cool creating the desired result of the intended mould or specific item they wish to make out of metal. The finished product is then sent off to be polished up and ready to be distributed.

Metal casting is used for more “tailor-made” areas of manufacturing metal products which would generally cost a whole lot more if they had to be machined welded. A great aspect of Metal casting is that it also allows the ability to re-create the same product with great ease and they products are identical of one another.

The most important and integral part of metal casting is the mould. The mould is essentially what the product is going to be. These moulds are manufactured in a foundry. Manufacturers take their dimensions, sketches and ideas for the mould to the foundry where the moulds are produced. These moulds then get sent off to the casters. Casters put the completed mould into a back up frame that contains cooling apparatus. The melting down of the metal happens in a very particular place in the foundry. When the mould is done and is ready to be cast, casters move the liquefied metal over large machines and equipment above the mould, this equipment helps the liquefied metal flow down into the cast. This equipment also monitors the rate at which the liquid metal flows into the cast. The cooling equipment then cools the metal down allowing the metal to harden and become a solid state. The castings are now removed and the product is now ready to be cleaned.

Metal casting isn’t the easiest process on the planet and problems can occur during the casting process. Pollution is a major problem worldwide, but in terms of metal casting, this can also have an effect on the metal. If the metal, in its liquid state is exposed to forms of pollution this will cause imperfections within the metal itself, thus when the metal is solidified it can cause weak spots and thus when the cast is removed from the mould, the cast can break. Not only can the casting become affected but the mould too. Gas bubbles can also form after the cooling process which will also cause the metal to become brittle and could possibly even show signs of bubbles on the metal itself. If there is malfunction or something goes wrong in the cooling process the cast could harden before all the metal fills the mould which will lead to deformations within the cast.

Some metal casting processes can be easily carried out by hobbyists and enthusiasts within their own chambers of work and don’t necessarily need to take place within a foundry.

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The Cast Aluminum Patio Furniture Review

Today there are many types of materials to choose from when buying your furniture. It is no longer necessary to strictly think of wood when you think of furniture. Among many great and popular choices available on the market, there are: aluminum, brass, alloys, cast iron, etc.

Is Cast Aluminum Patio Furniture Superior to the Rest of the Materials?

There are mixed opinions regarding which material to choose when buying patio furniture. Some people believe that there can be no better choice for furniture than the cast aluminum patio furniture. This is because it is extremely light and easy to fashion into any type of model, even if only a limited amount of time is available before summer starts. The fact that aluminum never rusts gives a great advantage over all the other materials, and this means there is relatively low to no maintenance. It will be durable and look brand new after many years have past, making you happy to see and use it, just like when you bought it.

In order to keep your cast aluminum patio furniture functioning well, you will need to have stainless steel rivets and screws that will ensure the furniture does not grow skewed after a few years of use. There will be a lot of trouble if the screws rust, because the furniture will loose its original shape and comfort.

The best pieces are usually powder coated and colored in different colors to enhance its effects. It is beautiful to see, cheap to buy, and maintenance free. Can anything be better than that?

Aluminum came onto the market in the 20th century, and since its arrival no one can dispute the many advantages the material offers. Hence, the cast aluminum patio furniture is indeed the best choice among all the materials that are available today.

The cast aluminum patio furniture is elegant, easily movable from one place to another, can be bought in any color or texture whatsoever (powder coated), and is very strong and durable. Not even an elephant climbing of a patio chair made of aluminum could change the shape (as actually experimented). That just goes to prove how strong this furniture can be.

In terms of beauty too, there is nothing that can beat aluminum, because it can copy any type of material or texture. Hence, why should you settle for anything less?

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Choosing the Perfect Period Cast Iron Radiator for Your Home

A period cast iron radiator can add a distinctive feature to your room. Not only are these very functional pieces that can efficiently heat rooms but they also have a great aesthetic appeal. There is something very charming about a cast iron radiator that can add character to any interior design project.

Designs and Styles

If you want to include a cast iron radiator in your room design then you will have a choice of styles and colours available. Traditional period cast iron radiator will typically by in white or black. If you are buying a reclaimed cast iron radiator set for a period style home then it is best to stick to these more authentic colour options.

You can also get a number of very distinctive finishes including metal effects (such as antique gold and copper) and bold primary colours. This is ideal if you are creating a unique interior design and want something a little more special for your room heating.

Reclaimed Cast Iron Radiators

In terms of costs it can be cheaper to opt for new cast iron radiators. The reclaimed radiators are often old enough to be classed as antiques and this can push prices up. It can also be expensive renovating old radiators and making them usable again. However if you want an authentic period design then reclaimed radiators are a good choice.

Don’t get confused between reclaimed radiators and second hand ones. A reclaimed cast iron radiator will have been tidied up and pressure tested to check for leaks. You can buy reclaimed radiators from specialist providers that are ready to be plumbed straight into your system. They will have guarantee against leaking which will protect your investment.

A second hand cast iron radiator can be a very cheap option but you will have no idea whether or not it is usable until it has been plumbed into your system. These radiators will be available in car boot sales, classified ads and auctions (both online and offline). They will not have been tested by a specialist in most cases and you will be taking a real gamble on whether or not you are wasting your money.

New Cast Iron Radiators

New cast iron radiators are crafted using a mix of traditional skills and modern techniques. This creates attractive and durable radiators that will look great and last a long time. New cast iron radiators can be crafted to traditional period designs and are also available in some more modern options.

Buying a new cast iron radiator set can be expensive but you will be paying for a brand new and thoroughly tested product. New radiators will come with manufacturer’s warrantees so if they do not work for some reason you should be able to get replacements. This can save a lot of time and effort.

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Cast Iron Finish With Cast Iron Guttering

When you hear the expression that something has a cast iron finish it means that it is solid and reliable. Cast iron gutters are exactly that and no other guttering looks as solid and permanent as ones made with this metal.

Another well-known expression is that if it isn’t broken don’t fix it. Cast iron gutters again, are an example of something which works well and has no need to be changed for any other material.

Cast iron guttering has been installed around the roofs of houses for hundreds of years. Some of the great stately homes of England have literally miles of this type of guttering around the roof tops. Last year the whole gutter system at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire was repainted and it took three men most of the summer to achieve this.

Aluminium and PVC are popular gutters but nothing quite looks as good as the solidity of cast iron. This metal which was first used in Europe in the fourteenth century became the most widely used metal in the manufacture of machines, bridges and ships. Many other metals like the widely used aluminium were not even known to man until the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Although steel was being produced in small quantities up until the eighteen fifties it was a very expensive process. At this point an industrialist and inventor in England discovered a process which reduced the cost of converting the iron into steel and began mass production in a method still used today. At almost the same moment in history the first all iron steamship was being built in Bristol. This ship named the Great Britain is now in dry dock in Bristol and is one of the greatest tourist attractions in the country. It wasn’t long before ships were being made of steel and that other metal aluminium which coincidently was also just about being developed at this time. Steel hulls for ships allow them to be built to an almost limitless length whereas there is a finite length that a wooden boat can be built at around a maximum three hundred feet.

Just behind aluminium, iron is the fourth most abundant element on earth and both these materials are used in hundreds of manufacturing processes. Cast iron guttering is just one use for iron but the invention of an efficient way of making steel gave another dimension to iron usage as the metals are both derived from the same material but steel has some better properties over iron. Steel is lighter, tough and crucially it is flexible where iron is brittle and very unyielding. Depending on the amount of carbon introduced into the process of turning iron into steel, it also can have the added property of being rust proof.

There is no reason why gutters cannot be made of steel instead of iron but the extra cost of steel and the fact that it gives no extra advantage means that iron gutters are the better option.

Above Ground and Below Ground Pumping Stations

Above ground and below ground pumping stations, pump stations, pump equipment, control systems and drainage products covers a large scope of applications from a small domestic lifting unit suitable to be coupled to a toilet, single sink and shower unit to a large submersible above ground or below ground pump station including surface and foul water applications pumping flow rates in excess of 1,000 m³/hr and up to DN600.

Submersible pumps that use traditional materials but also offer submersible pumps which use innovative materials and design ideas which offer additional benefits over the more traditional cast iron submersible pumps and pumping equipment offered by many other submersible pump and pump station manufacturers, suppliers and installers, Southern Pump Services experienced sewage and waste water sales team offers a high level of impartial advice and technical support (try us were only a phone call away) this assures a reliable and cost effective above or below ground packaged pump station selection. They aim to ensure all quotations are returned quickly (normally within 24 hours) offering total flexibility not only will we fax quotations but also send them via e-mail if requested.

Southern Pump Services not only provide above or below ground pump stations, they provide the following equipment pump control panels, float switches, manhole covers, lifting chains and shackles. Southern Pump Services also undertake mechanical and electrical installations for other manufacturers, 24/7 maintenance and servicing for other manufacturers pumping stations , refurbishments of your existing packaged pump station, pumping stations, submersible pumps and control equipment.

Cast Iron Furniture

Foundries began mass-producing cast iron furniture in the 19th Century. Designs previously reserved for the wealthy and massive English estates were for the first time available to the middle class. Many of the English cast garden furniture designs were replicated and then newer American cast iron furniture designs also became very sought after and are still popular today in the Antique Garden Furniture collector’s market.

One such example by the Coalbrookdale Company published in a catalogue from 1875, the Passion Flower design, is a good example of the level of detail and artistry developed in the production pieces. It features a trailing passion flower design, cabriole legs, and a tight hexagon pattern on the seat.It is one of my personal favorites and also a favorite among collectors. Leaves, flowers, and motifs from nature were popular themes for this period and were commonly expressed in the cast iron furniture pieces of the time. The fern was a particularly popular motif, not only in furniture but also as a theme in printed fabric of the time. Intricate patterns which were previously only possible by the skilled hands of a blacksmith could now be produced with a reasonable likeness. Because the iron was poured into a mold which could be used multiple times, the time and skill required to produce each piece was reduced considerably and therefore the cost as well.

Easily welded while hot, and corrosion resistant as well, cast iron garden furniture became very popular and remained so until the 1930′s. The popularity of cast iron furniture began to wain as other materials became available. Cast iron pieces are extremely heavy making them difficult to move from place to place. Cast Aluminum, 3 times as light as cast iron, is used by many manufacturers today for Cast Aluminum Garden Furniture to achieve the same look with less weight. Mild Steel casting, while less corrosion resistant, also developed a following, and today is the choice of many manufacturers and artisan designers specializing in Steel Metal Garden Furniture who want the versatility of the malleable nature of steel with the added availability of cast decorative elements welded artistically for added ornamentation.

Cast Iron Garden Furniture manufactured during the late 19th century and early 20th century is still very much sought after by collectors for the timeless beauty of a bygone era. Today cast iron decorative elements are used extensively in the fabrication of elaborate gates and fences. It is also used as a component in the manufacture of many traditional garden furniture styles requiring a flourish of embellishment on bended steel frames as floral and leaf designs and geometric decoration from traditional motifs to contemporary adaptations for an endless supply of imaginative results.