I've run into a problem with easily re-conditioning my foundry sand...
I've been using a mini-carver design for fresh batches, but it's nearly
useless for reconditioning.
I'm toying with using a bowling ball in a regular cement mixer with the
vanes removed.
Anybody here have some actual experience????
Replacing the exact right amount of water after a pour seems more of an art
than a science...
So far I'm an expert on too much or too little... just right remains
elusive...
Chet

Chet wrote:
I've run into a problem with easily re-conditioning my foundry sand...
I've been using a mini-carver design for fresh batches, but it's
nearly useless for reconditioning.
I'm toying with using a bowling ball in a regular cement mixer with
the vanes removed.
Anybody here have some actual experience????
Replacing the exact right amount of water after a pour seems more of
an art than a science...
So far I'm an expert on too much or too little... just right remains
elusive...
Chet

Check out the archives at the yahoo group castinghobby . This subject has
been mulled over repeatedly ... pun intended .

--
Snag
Learning keeps
you young !

Thanks, Snag.
Checked it out...
Looks like the wrong way to go...


"Snag" wrote in message
...
Chet wrote:
I've run into a problem with easily re-conditioning my foundry sand...
I've been using a mini-carver design for fresh batches, but it's
nearly useless for reconditioning.
I'm toying with using a bowling ball in a regular cement mixer with
the vanes removed.
Anybody here have some actual experience????
Replacing the exact right amount of water after a pour seems more of
an art than a science...
So far I'm an expert on too much or too little... just right remains
elusive...
Chet

Check out the archives at the yahoo group castinghobby . This subject has
been mulled over repeatedly ... pun intended .

--
Snag
Learning keeps
you young !

Chet wrote:
Thanks, Snag.
Checked it out...
Looks like the wrong way to go...


"Snag" wrote in message
...
Chet wrote:
I've run into a problem with easily re-conditioning my foundry
sand... I've been using a mini-carver design for fresh batches, but
it's nearly useless for reconditioning.
I'm toying with using a bowling ball in a regular cement mixer with
the vanes removed.
Anybody here have some actual experience????
Replacing the exact right amount of water after a pour seems more of
an art than a science...
So far I'm an expert on too much or too little... just right remains
elusive...
Chet

Check out the archives at the yahoo group castinghobby . This
subject has been mulled over repeatedly ... pun intended .

--
Snag
Learning keeps
you young !

Which carver do you have ? There are plans out there for a blade type made
from an old propane tank , which I intend to build when I have both time and
inclination .

--
Snag
Learning keeps
you young !

The carver I built is based on rotating a 5 gal bucket with 1/2 hp motor
using belts to reduce the rpms...
A frame holds a shaft with a pair of curved 'carvers' that can be adjusted
in height.
At first I really liked the system because you can mix the sand and clay and
get a great mix.
You then add water until the 'green sand' starts forming in sheets.
A compression test at this point reveals good detail and a clean break.
But using the carver for reconditioning is a different story... too much
clumping and stalling...

"Snag" wrote in message
...
Chet wrote:
Thanks, Snag.
Checked it out...
Looks like the wrong way to go...


"Snag" wrote in message
...
Chet wrote:
I've run into a problem with easily re-conditioning my foundry
sand... I've been using a mini-carver design for fresh batches, but
it's nearly useless for reconditioning.
I'm toying with using a bowling ball in a regular cement mixer with
the vanes removed.
Anybody here have some actual experience????
Replacing the exact right amount of water after a pour seems more of
an art than a science...
So far I'm an expert on too much or too little... just right remains
elusive...
Chet

Check out the archives at the yahoo group castinghobby . This
subject has been mulled over repeatedly ... pun intended .

--
Snag
Learning keeps
you young !

Which carver do you have ? There are plans out there for a blade type made
from an old propane tank , which I intend to build when I have both time
and inclination .

--
Snag
Learning keeps
you young !

Chet wrote:
The carver I built is based on rotating a 5 gal bucket with 1/2 hp
motor using belts to reduce the rpms...
A frame holds a shaft with a pair of curved 'carvers' that can be
adjusted in height.
At first I really liked the system because you can mix the sand and
clay and get a great mix.
You then add water until the 'green sand' starts forming in sheets.
A compression test at this point reveals good detail and a clean
break. But using the carver for reconditioning is a different story...
too
much clumping and stalling...

Are you screening your sand to break up the big chunks ? 1/4" hardware
cloth on a frame similar to a deep flask works very well for this . Also ,
I've found that if I mix my sand up in the bucket , chunks and all , then
come back later after the moisture has had time to equalize a bit that the
chunks are lots easier to break up . Of course if you're doing a lot of
casting you'll need a lot of sand ...

--
Snag
Learning keeps
you young !