| Metal casting supplies can run the gamut of cheap to | | | | Many of the metal casting processes use sand as a |
| expensive. Home foundries tend to use supplies that | | | | way to create molds and help secure those molds |
| are not too costly or that can be found close at | | | | during the pouring. The type of sand used does not |
| hand. After all, home metal casting is usually a hobby | | | | have to necessarily be specially formulated. Sand has |
| and many get into this hobby since they need a | | | | been used in casting since ancient times so it only |
| cheaper source of parts and pieces that are either far | | | | makes sense that most sand types can be used. |
| too expensive or just impossible to find. This reason is | | | | Many hobbyists will even use playground sand to meet |
| actually what draws many people to metal casting in | | | | their needs. Now, there is a special type of sand used |
| the first place. Given this, metal casting supplies used in | | | | in casting called green sand. Green sand packs well |
| smaller backyard foundries are generally cheap and | | | | and is able to hold its shape far better then common |
| made of items that are available in the garage or can | | | | sand. For processes like lost wax you will need to find |
| be found at home improvement stores. There are | | | | a healthy supply of wax since many of the steps |
| several online resources and stores that offer supplies | | | | involve the creation of wax models and molds. The |
| specially made for metal casting and if you have the | | | | good thing about this process is that the wax can be |
| money and are unable to create your own, it is | | | | reused time and time again. Supplies for lost foam can |
| encouraged that you purchase already made supplies. | | | | be found in home improvement stores since foam |
| The metal casting supplies you will need ultimately | | | | insulation is suitable to use. You will not be able to |
| depend upon the type of work you plan to do. If you | | | | reuse the foam but luckily, the foam is cheap. |
| plan to use lost foam casting you will not need any | | | | Perhaps the most important casting supply is the metal |
| wax and in that same thought you won't need any | | | | itself. The metal used in casting varies due to need. |
| foam if you are going to use lost wax casting. The | | | | Aluminum is a common alloy used in casting for a |
| furnace type is also a consideration. Cupola furnaces | | | | number of reasons, chief among them is availability. |
| do not use crucibles. A crucible is where you place the | | | | Aluminum soda cans are crushed and melted and |
| metal which will then pool and collect inside. So it is | | | | proves to a good source of the metal. Many casters |
| important to decide what kind of casting process and | | | | will find scrap metal in junk yards which tend to be a |
| what kind of furnace that will be used before you rush | | | | good source for brass, bronze, and iron. There are |
| out to buy supplies. | | | | places to buy metals in ingots if you want a purer |
| As for the supplies this will include the fuel source. | | | | metal to work with. |
| Fuels sources can range from wood to propane. | | | | Metal casting supplies often dictate what the caster |
| Metals with a higher melting point will need propane | | | | can and can not do. Keep this in mind as you plan your |
| while wood can be used to melt pewter and possibly | | | | next project as adjustments might be needed to your |
| aluminum. Most home foundries will use propane since | | | | plan. |
| it produces a high temperature and is easily available. | | | | |