foundry castings

[craig simpsonParticipant @craigsimpson61179]

Hi.i have 30 yrs experience in a foundry and will be looking at running my own small foundry with 2 others.1 has 40 yrs experience and the other 30 yrs as a pattern maker.over the years we have made castings upto 8 tonne but looking at making our own small castings.is this something anybody would be interested in.just looking for some feedback please.thanks craig.

[craig simpsonParticipant @craigsimpson61179]

[frank brownParticipant @frankbrown22225]

What sort of metal will you be pouring? Where are you going to be based (cost of postage for cast iron !).

Frank

[clogsParticipant @clogs]

Well Craig, Very good luck to you and ur friends….

have a couple of tricky castings to be done soon'ish….lost wax in ally…..

just keep us posted

clogs

[Bob Brown 1Participant @bobbrown1]

I would be interested if UK based as the current cost of castings is high.

Bob

[BrianParticipant @brian]

Very interested, really depends on location in the UK, types and grade of metals, most of all cost. Good luck with your enterprise keep us posted.

If its SG iron and you have a job.

Brian

[Brian OldfordParticipant @brianoldford70365]

Good luck in your enterprise. There's few foundries left wanting to work in "penny numbers" even in the West Midlands. In consideration of the high cost of carriage of castings, where will you be based? And; what metals will you be working in? Air-set and/or green sand?

[Nigel McBurney 1Participant @nigelmcburney1]

I hope you do ok,in addition to model engineers,there is also a market in castings for vintage stationary engines,and full size steam traction engines. Stationary engine work is mainly cast iron and bearing bronze,flywheels ,pistons ,trolley wheels,cast iron silencers. crankshaft bearings etc. If you start a business get organised,with small one offs do not loose customers patterns,if customers borrow parts from other enthusiasts so that they can be copied dont loose or break them,or accidentally put them in the melt thinking they are scrap,keep delivery promises, all of these problems have been experienced by myself and friends in the past.

[Les CollierParticipant @lescollier75401]

Hi Craig

very interested I your proposition, the problem tends to be finding a decent pattern, but if you have the skills to do that part of the operation then I think you have good prospects. Providing the costs don't run off out of control. Model makers wince at the cost of castings and other bespoke parts if you can offer a price reduction I am sure you will capture more market share.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Marketing. Clearly there is interest as if some of the above posters don't realise faciities are available just dificult to find or deal with. So you have an opportunity if you can get the marketing right.

However 3 people trying to make a living? If not supplying industry it has to be just a small part of another business.

[Brian OldfordParticipant @brianoldford70365]

As a broad generalisation for the small volumes model engineers want the greatest cost is in the pattern. That cost being predominantly labour and very little material. If you start to add complex coring the costs can sky-rocket.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

You know about casting, and patern making, the important thing is comunication with customers, and delivering when you say it will be ready. There is a thread somewere on here about dissatisfaction with a foundery, and the troubles had by members getting castings, or refunds if the casting is unavailable.

I imagine you are going into this as a hobby, because I don't think this is how to become a millionair, good luck.

Ian S C

[BrianParticipant @brian]

Did you get the enterprise off the ground? If you did, I need three small patterns cast in three different materials SG iron, Ally and Bronze, the job is yours.

Brian

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