Aluminum casting

[handler]

What is the best mold to cast aluminum? I have a sculpey piece that I want to mold and cast in aluminum but I can't lose the model, so it's not a wax piece that can melt away.

I've never cast aluminum before so if anyone can lend me any ideas on what mold is best used for this or anything that would work to cast aluminum without destroying the model or the mold, I'd appreciate your advice or suggestions.

 

[Nwerke]

The usual is oil-based casting sand. You press your piece into it, or build it up around the piece. Remove the piece, then pour your molten aluminium. You will get a characteristic "sand-cast" surface appearance that will then need further finishing.

 

[Conqueror_Worm]

I have been doing Al casting for a couple years and I highly recommend the book The Complete Book of Sand Casting by C W Ammen for information on foundry mold making. I use a sand, clay, and water mixture called greensand for making all of my molds. It's certainly the simplest and cheapest material, I dug mine from a local riverbank.
This website is a good introduction to molding and casting-
melting metal in a home foundry, backyard metalcasting, metal casting
I also recommend joining these groups-
castinghobby : Casting Hobby Group
gingery_machines : Gingery Machines Main Group
There are people there who are very experienced with casting and always willing to answer questions.

Some pictures of my foundry- Picasa Web Albums - Tim & Deb - Back yard fou...

 

[Nwerke]

Hot damn, that's some great info. Need to gear up this summer for some bits for a car project. Thanks!!

 

[handler]

Thanks Nwerke for the suggestion. Thank you Conqueror for that great info, I appreciate it!