Puckdropper wrote:
"HeyBub" wrote in
m:

*snip*

An even better alternative is to do your own foundry work! Here's a
step by step instruction set (there's probably dozens of similar
techniques on the web). You'll need:

*snip*

http://www.instructables.com/id/Buil...cast-aluminum/



That's a cool idea! I'd be afraid to try it because of the addiction
of yet another hobby. You might be able to use a crusher dust rather
than the sand if it'll lock together better. I know a lot of sand
out there is quite round in shape and doesn't lock together well.


Yeah, the right kind of sand is important for detailed work, as is the
moisture content (imagine pouring molten metal into mud!). It also needs to
be sifted through a suitable mesh. If the object is 3-dimensional, you might
need two interlocking sand-holders and pour/vent channels.

I bet you could hone your technique using lead, which melts at a much lower
temperature. I used to cast lead bullets and fishing sinkers - pretty
trivial but kinda fun.