The Bucket Foundry

[Flettner]

Not sure, I've ordered a stack of CC601 but haven't seen it yet. The cast might end up a Christmas day treat for the family.
Some how I don't think the good wife will think that is appropriate
I would imagine between Christmas and New year then?
Keep in touch.
Clutch cover pattern is moving along.

[WilDun]

Not sure, I've ordered a stack of CC601 but haven't seen it yet. The cast might end up a Christmas day treat for the family.
Some how I don't think the good wife will think that is appropriate
I would imagine between Christmas and New year then?
Keep in touch.
Clutch cover pattern is moving along.

Ok, look forward to that (whenever it takes place) - I know from experience, it will be less stressful than the actual Christmas thing!

[Flettner]

And I'd like to cast a few of these as well.

[WilDun]

And I'd like to cast a few of these as well.

A few? Not 100% sure which one I'm looking at here!- FOS? - straight line geared crank? - Ryger like creation?....nah maybe not!- ?

All of the above? ....... ok, definitely off to bed now!

[Grumph]

And I'd like to cast a few of these as well.

What's the pump in the background ?

[Flettner]

What else but Kawasaki, KE 175
This unit is driven straight off the end of 175s crankshaft. So it's the smallest autolube pump I've ever seen, and priority one, it's free.

[WilDun]

What else but Kawasaki, KE 175

Should have recognised it! - getting it confused with the experimental common bottom end/gearbox model (models) you were trying.
Maybe up a bit too late last night!

[Flettner]

A few? Not 100% sure which one I'm looking at here!- FOS? - straight line geared crank? - Ryger like creation?....nah maybe not!- ?

All of the above? ....... ok, definitely off to bed now!

Yes this crank case is useful for the FOS, slider and epicylic crank. So I'll need a few to play with
Also I'll be running one of these cases with the TPI mark two. Many uses.

[Flettner]

Just organised (paid for) 180Kg of aluminium, so got some serious casing to do, LM13@60kg and CC601@120kg.
Nearly a ton of sand and a bucket of sodium silicate, so it begins.

[WilDun]

Just organised (paid for) 180Kg of aluminium, so got some serious casing to do, LM13@60kg and CC601@120kg.
Nearly a ton of sand and a bucket of sodium silicate, so it begins.

Never seen these things in the flesh but will understand once I've had a look. Looks like a good scheme for experimentation using the "one case fits all"method!

Things are looking imminent now for the casting process - hopefully I'll be able to break away from the Christmas and family stuff for a day!
I'm sure I will, but they (my "kids") have arrived back with their families this year from overseas for the occasion!

[ken seeber]

Still here fellas, just been a bit distracted with lots of things of late.

So, for something that is foundry, but not bike related, I am doing a little project in conjunction with a buddy in Tassie. It is a thing called a “downriggger bomb”. Traditionally these are just lead balls that are dragged along behind a boat at some controlled depth. From these a lure is attached for the fish to bite. Rather than a plain ball, this is a more hydrodynamic shape which will help to reduce the tension on the drag line. These are also available, but of course, one has to think of a “better mouse trap”, which I think we are working on. Gotta say at this point that I know absolutely nothing about fishing, other than that sharks over here like to bite people in half.

Anyways, as part of the new design, we printed one half up to create a pattern. This will be mounted on a mould board and two moulds made, probably in a 50:50 sand & plaster of paris mix. This is possible as both halves will be symmetrical. It will be cast in lead.

Must say that smoothing the 3D print with the spot putty and sanding it smooth is almost theraputic (not that I need therapy, or do I ??). Can see now why Neil makes lots of patterns.

Will be working on the slidingcylinder engine this week, with the goal to get it on an inertia dyno.

Have a good xmas & new year etc.

[WilDun]

Happy Christmas everybody, -
Too hot for foundry stuff! ( its all too much Ken it's around 26deg. here!) happy fishing!

[Flettner]

An almost not suitable mold box, its used for another job but a small modification means I don't have to build a new one. Black stuff is plumbago, carbon powder, rub it into the pattern surface to make it real slippery.
An old Kawasaki exhaust is used to hold my spring balance from the roof (what else)
Sodium Silicate tipped in to the sand ready to mix.

[Flettner]

The mixing process. The bits of metal in the sand mixing drum help by making sure nothing sticks to the drum as it turns. Picture shows the drum turning fast, its only doing about 30/40 RPM ish.
Starting to pack the mold.

[Flettner]

Using welding wire to poke gassing holes.
Gassing with CO2.