| Many believe that iron casting is just simply out of | | | | one of the exciting ventures that metal casting |
| reach for small furnaces but this is not the case. | | | | can provide you. After you locate your iron you |
| While alloys like aluminum are more prevalent in | | | | will need to prepare your mold. This is assuming |
| home foundries. Artists and hobbyists have also | | | | you have a pattern in mind that you want to |
| used brass, bronze, and even iron to fulfill their | | | | cast. If not, then go ahead and figure something |
| casting needs. | | | | out even if it’s a small piece in order to test |
| Industrial foundries commonly use iron for a | | | | your iron casting ability. Since sand casting is the |
| variety of items like cookware, like cast iron pans, | | | | most popular casting method you might want to |
| and even bridges. Casting iron provides an easy | | | | use it for the iron casting especially if you are |
| and effective method of making such large | | | | familiar with the method and not with iron. |
| structural pieces and even smaller pieces for | | | | After making the sand mold and placing the |
| around the home. | | | | runner for the molten iron you will melt the metal. |
| The most common furnace type used by home | | | | The melting point of iron is 2,800 degrees |
| foundries is the cupola furnace. The cupola is a | | | | Fahrenheit or about 1538 degree Celsius. Since all |
| basic furnace type that does not need a crucible | | | | metals melt at different temperatures don't be |
| as it allows the caster to pour the molten metal | | | | impatient if iron takes longer to melt and don't be |
| directly from the furnace into a ladle which is then | | | | surprised if it’s quicker. |
| poured into the mold. Cupola furnaces resemble | | | | When the molten iron is ready you are going to |
| smoke stacks and can be home made for those | | | | pour some into a ladle and the pour that into the |
| with enough confidence and some mechanical | | | | sand mold. The sand mold is held in place by the |
| know-how to attempt it. The fuels used to heat | | | | cope and drag, which is the top and bottom part |
| the metal in a cupola furnace depend on the | | | | of the mold. The runners are in place in the mold |
| caster's resources and preference. Many will use | | | | to allow the molten iron a place to enter. When |
| propane and some will use coal. There are a | | | | the iron is cool, remove the cast from the sand |
| select few that will use waste material such as old | | | | carefully and there you have a cast of iron. |
| scraps of metal and the powder at the bottom | | | | As with all metal casts, you will need to follow the |
| of bags of barbecue coal to fuel the cupola. For | | | | appropriate safety steps to avoid any accidents. |
| iron many would recommend the use of propane, | | | | Accidents with molten metal will always be very |
| but there have been some casters that have | | | | painful so make sure you wear gloves, jeans, |
| succeeded with waste material. Don't be afraid to | | | | boots, and a long sleeve shirt. You may also want |
| experiment with different fuel types to find the | | | | a heavy duty leather apron and a pair of goggles. |
| perfect fit for your furnace and need. | | | | Iron casting is a great way to create restoration |
| Finding a source of iron can be difficult and a trip | | | | items or pieces for around the home and even |
| to the scrap yard might be in order. This is just | | | | for artistic purposes. |