Metal Casting Zone Info Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Blogs’

December 8, 2008 Brass Sculpture Casting.

A video how-to: how to cast a bronze memorial plaque

Radiators ? Why Cast Iron?

While there are any number of people out there who will follow the trends no matter what they dictate, keeping up with The Joneses is not necessarily for everyone. Some people prefer time-worn style over fleeting fashion, and will want to model their houses according to their own unique tastes, not the current flavour of the month in different interior design magazines.

For those who want a more timeless look to their house, focussing on classic design rather than artistic expression, when it comes to bathrooms there is more to creating the perfect look than simply finding a Victorian style tub. One of the focal points to any truly unique bathroom will be the radiator.

Cast iron bathroom radiators are much more ornate and attractive than your normal run of the mill radiators, giving you much more scope to find a design that is just right for you.

However the benefits of these beautiful bathroom radiators don’t just end with their looks. While they will be much more stylish than most other types of radiator, they are also actually much more economical and efficient. They will heat bathrooms evenly and thoroughly which certain other styles will not be able to do. They are also surprisingly low cost and also cheap to run. Cast iron’s density means that it is much more efficient at storing heat than other types of radiator and will continue to radiate heat for a long time after the heating has been switched off.

Their use will also help to reduce condensation while gently warming the room rather than aggressively filling it with heat. For those who want to combine classic looks with a practical way to provide heat, there really isn’t any better option. And when the latest trend is yesterday’s news your bathroom will still look as stylish as ever.

I setup the Tripod a few weeks ago as Hank and I were melting strips of Aluminum for the projects – This is one of them at 3X Faster speed and the same one at normal speed to show you how long it takes.. – Enjoy!

Here I show the complete pattern making and casting of a 12 1/16″ flywheel.
Although mainly about pattern making I have also shown the casting so the whole process can be seen.
More detail on the actual casting techniques can be seen in my earlier videos.

This casting needed a core to produce the required shape. The core could only be supported at one end so a cantilevered one was used.

Have You Ever Considered Investing In Gate Latches

All of us know gate latches, but what we often forget is that these latches can transform a regular gate into something truly beautiful.  Although latches mostly serve as a security or practical feature they can really make a difference to the aesthetics of an environment.  Gate latches can be both practical and pleasing on the eye.

With such as wide variety of gate latches available today; it easy to find something that suits your needs perfectly. There are sliding, lifting and even turning options available to you.  If you are looking for something to go with an outdoor or garden gate, then you should consider a black, cast iron latch. This rustic look goes well with the outdoors and cast iron will last you a life time without too many maintenance worries. Wooden gate latches also offer you cheap yet great looking option for in and around yard.  Wooden latches work great, but remember that for security reasons it would be best not to use this to secure you or yard as they can easily be broken. When used correctly ornate wooden latches can really give character to a gate. After a couple coats of varnish you should be ready to go, just remember to re-varnish the wood every couple of years or as needed.  You will have a wide variety of sliding or lifting hatches to consider and depending on the type of gate you are using one might be better suite than the other.

Electric gates can also benefit from gate latches and this is where electric gate latches and gate operators come into their own.  Electric gate operators offer convenience as well as added security. No one likes to get out of a vehicle only to open and a gate and then after pulling in to go close it again. This can become a real head ache if it’s raining or if you live in a harsh climate.  With a push of a button the gate operator can take this inconvenience of your hands. For most people that is worth the installation costs alone. The operated gates also offer improved security as the motor will have to be force to open the gate.  This is by no means an easy task and will definitely slow a burglar down.  Viking gate operators are well respected brand and if you are considering investing in operated gates you should at least consider them.  Another brand that does well is Mighty Mule. They are well known for their durability and great value for money.

Now that you know more about gate latches I am sure you will start noticing the different kind available. All tough many of us doesn’t even notice the latch we are opening, these devices form an integral part of our daily lives. This may be in the form of an additional security feature or as a small piece of modern art. So the next time you pass a gate take a second to look at the latch, I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised at the different ones you will find.

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Fleur-De-Lis Bath D