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Author Topic: Sand casting and Bentonite  (Read 2784 times)

rmaddock

  • Guest
Sand casting and Bentonite
« on: December 27, 2011, 05:55:36 pm »

Hello!
I'm wondering about sand casting some ballast for my current project. However, I'm struggling to find a convenient (cheap) source of suitable sand.
I've read that Bentonite clay can be added to sharp sand (or whatever) and that this works well. Such clay can be had cheaply as long as you get it from a pottery supplier rather than a health-food shop.
Has anybody used this combination? Or can they point me at a UK green-sand supplier (of small quantities)?
Cheers!
Robert.
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fpravenscroft

  • Guest
Re: Sand casting and Bentonite
« Reply #1 on: December 27, 2011, 06:23:47 pm »

try
john winter
po box 21
washer lane works
halifax
hx2 7dp
tel 01422 364213
they supply sand, crucibles and everything you will need
i do not knw weather they have a web site
regards
peter
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rmaddock

  • Guest
Re: Sand casting and Bentonite
« Reply #2 on: December 27, 2011, 07:32:28 pm »

Thanks Peter,

It seems they do have a website: http://www.johnwinter.co.uk/

I shall see what I can find.

Robert.
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david j

  • Guest
Re: Sand casting and Bentonite
« Reply #3 on: December 27, 2011, 08:33:20 pm »

hi,
thanks for sourcing this :-)) looks a great place for moulding sand, will look them out in new year

  thanks         davidj
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rmaddock

  • Guest
Re: Sand casting and Bentonite
« Reply #4 on: December 27, 2011, 09:06:33 pm »

Just found this one too.

http://anvils.co.uk/products/view/401?cat=33

Once you find one, you can follow the word trail through Google to others.....you just need somebody to start you off.
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Canopus

  • Guest
Re: Sand casting and Bentonite
« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2012, 01:41:28 pm »

I needed to cast the lead keel (25 lbs) for a large yacht and originally was looking for plaster of paris but given the volume needed that would have been prohibitivly expensive. In the event I used ordinary house plaster. I let the mold dry for several weeks but eventually decided to get my local blacksmith to melt the lead due to some safety concerns.

Whilst the mold cracked it didn't leak and provided an acceptable casting and finish.

If I was doing this at home I would cook the mold in the oven for a couple of hours to get rid of all moisture as unlike sand the steam generated could cause an explosion. This was really the reason I let the blacksmith do it as he had the protective clothing and the like.

I think I was charged about £20 for the job so not too bad.

Hope this may help.

Geoff
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rmaddock

  • Guest
Re: Sand casting and Bentonite
« Reply #6 on: January 17, 2012, 01:49:16 pm »

Hi Geoff,

I did it that way for my previous yacht...that one had an external bulb keel so needed to bit quite nice.

I've done the sand casting now, quite succesfully. See HERE.

It took only an hour or so so it was much quicker than using plaster.
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