Metal Casting Zone

The soap cutter looks more like a welding project than a casting project, although im sure you could cast something that would work.

I'm going to cast stamps/dies for imprinting designs and logos on my soaps.
I hope the 00 sand is fine enough to cast small patterns like these:
http://www.milkywaymolds.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=SSCEL
Thanks for everyone's help. I'll post pics as I'm making everything. (which could be a while)

im sure with a little sanding and polishing theyll be great for what you want.
Usually I ask what one is planning to cast when they first post on the web site so they can be steered in the right direction, Miss getting you on that one. for what you are wanting to cast check out my baby furnace "babay is in the oven" thread this set up is cheap and will probably do what your looking for, also a small furnace is very handy for doing small stuff. It saves you alot of money on fuel. Funny thing is I thought I wouldnt use my first elcheapo furnace anymore after I built the elcheapo2. Well the elcheapo 1 is loaded full of fuel (scrap lumber) and ready to run for a larger casting project where i need to melt 35 lbs of al. I just need to mull up some more sand and make some bigger mold boxes then im takeing a match to it Burn baby burn

Hello,

We use 125 grit silica sand to get the finest detail in our castings.
We have used other sands, 70 grit sand gives you a pebbly texture. We have even dug dirt out our backyard and made a mold and poured it.

There is a free greensand recipe on our website www.foundry101.com

100 lb silica sand, 12 lbs bentonite and 1 gallon of water.
Lots of other foundry information found there also.
Have a lovely summer!
Donna

Hello Donna and welcome to the forum, many of us have visited your website and I must say, Very nice work! Looking forward to seeing more posts from you in the future

Welcome Donna,

Unfortunately there is not local place to simply fetch 125 grit silica sand. When I ask the "usual suspects" in the Big Box and Local Hardware stores I get the "deer in headlights" look.

I did, however get some bentonite from a local well drilling supply store. They had what they called double ought "00" sand and thats what I'm using. Haven't made my first casting yet but am edging closer.

I you can give some guidance was to where I could pick up some 125 grit locally please let me know.

Is it possible to tamp my greensand to tight? I mean, there has to be some gas/steam escape ... er ... right?

yes you can ram your sand too tight! practise makes perfect!!!

Hello,
Have you tried looking in the phone book under landscaping, sand blasters, abrasive companys they could help you find sand. We get our sand from a company here in WA State. Lane Mountian sand co, Valley, WA. 509-937-2221. Hope this helps!
All sand is good to cast with, the finer the sand the finer the casting will come out. We have actually dug up dirt from our back yard and made a mold and poured it, came out way better then I expected.
We have tried many sand recipes and the one that works for us best is the recipe on our website,100 lbs of 120-125 grit silica or olivine sand,
12 lbs bentonite(1-800 # on our website to find bentonite in your area)
1 gallon of water, mix with a shovel and your feet, cover in a airtight container to keep the sand fresh and moist and it will be ready to mold everytime.
Thank you, to all of you folks who have visited our website or came to Spokane for Metal casting class. Metal casting rules!
Donna foundry101.com

I found some nice white sand at Menard's, it's like a Lowe's. It's a fine grit like sugar sand and costs about $4 for 40#. Seems a little high but if you can't find anything else, wouldn't be too bad for a small amount.

Donna, I really like your website. I've been through it a bunch of times and always find something new. I would like to try the teacup sometime, but that's a ways off. Unless,... I can make one out of styrofoam..???