Six kilo bronze casting

[Gestalt]

Hi Guys, I've got a cylindrical stepped pattern that I need to have cast in brass or bronze. No coring or tricky bits, plenty of draft. According to Solidworks it will weigh in at around 6 kilograms. I need four of these made for one of my projects. Would anyone here be interested in doing this job, or alternatively could anyone suggest a commercial foundry? I'm in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne (Emerald).
Thanks for any help or suggestions.
Eric

[12bolts]

I can do it. But freight will be a killer from NQ. Can I see the pattern?

Cheers Phil

[Gestalt]

Thanks Phil, I'll get a picture taken tomorrow and check out the post cost.
Eric

[Gestalt]

Hello Phil, Here is the pattern. I just have to clean it up and seal it. Let me know what you think.
Eric

[12bolts]

Yep looks do-able. Bit hard to go off the scale of that ruler.....Based on the numbers its about 1.2 metres dia. X a bit more high! If so thats one big arsed wood screw! Can we get some draft on the upright column?
Were you able to get any postage yet?

Cheers Phil

[Gestalt]

Hahaha. I don't know what that ruler was doing sitting there actually.
The cylinder has plenty of draft but it just doesn't show in that picture.
According to the Australia Post calculator it would cost $57.00 for two to be sent down. Ie. 12 kilograms. I'm sure I could find a better deal for the four.
Any idea on your costings?
Thanks Phil.
Eric

[12bolts]

Eric,
I will have to get a price on the bronze tomorrow. Can you put some dimensions on it. Tolerances? Machined finish? If your happy with the as cast finish? Depending on these answers I think you would be looking in the region of $100 per unit (in the rough)+ material. I think last time I bought bronze it was about $8 kg. So probably minimum $600 + freight.
Online quote from TNT is $100 for 25kg package

Cheers Phil

[Gestalt]

Hello Phil,Tolerances are no problem. There is quite a bit of machining on the units, but I can do that here. I didn't realize bronze was so pricey now. It's been around 15 years since I've had any bronze castings done. I might have to go cheap and nasty and use ally.
Eric

[AndrewOC]

Eric,
there was a bell founder at Lost Trades, in 2016. I'm sure he would be more local to you (Vic?).
regs,
A.

[Gestalt]

Thanks Andrew. It was on this weekend just gone. Pity I missed it. I was unaware of this event.
Yes I think I'll have to look for something local, the costs quickly add up. Thanks anyway Phil.
Eric

[caskwarrior]

I doubt you will find a better offer than $600 for those in brass, I dont think may foundries will really want to know you for that small a run. I would dearly love to be wrong though. Even for aluminium I dont think anyone will do it for less than 600 you need to think about the time to pack the flasks, heat, pour and clean. There are so few foundries left here, you could try Alliance in carrum downs. Non Ferrous Castings, Gravity Die Castings Foundry (http://www.alliancecastings.com.au/)

best of luck.

[Gestalt]

I doubt you will find a better offer than $600 for those in brass, I dont think may foundries will really want to know you for that small a run. I would dearly love to be wrong though. Even for aluminium I dont think anyone will do it for less than 600 you need to think about the time to pack the flasks, heat, pour and clean. There are so few foundries left here, you could try Alliance in carrum downs. Non Ferrous Castings, Gravity Die Castings Foundry (http://www.alliancecastings.com.au/)

best of luck.


Yes you are probably correct. I'll try around locally and see what I come up with. Thanks for the link.
Eric

[clear out]

The Guy from Kyneton
.Australian Bell Pty Ltd.
Dr Anton Hasell.
Mia Mia Vic.
email address below
Australian Bell (http://www.ausbell.com.au)
We are travelling in Tas so I'm not on this much of late.
H.

[Gestalt]

The Guy from Kyneton
.Australian Bell Pty Ltd.
Dr Anton Hasell.
Mia Mia Vic.
email address below
Australian Bell (http://www.ausbell.com.au)
We are travelling in Tas so I'm not on this much of late.
H.

Thanks for that contact info. I've contacted a couple of non ferrous foundries that are fairly local here. One was the one that caskwarrior (above) gave me. They both quoted me around $100 to $125 each. Pretty good really. I wouldn't expect to get it done any cheaper.
I am thinking of having a go myself. I've got a source of mixed scrap brass and I've got an old cope and drag set here under the house. I had my own backyard set up some 30 years ago, but I got rid of most of the bits and pieces long ago.
I'll start another thread with some questions regarding burners.
Eric