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Read an independent review by respected industry
commentator Glen "PTSideshow" Perye
"I have to say that in addition to the content
and subject of this
book, the fact that it was a print on demand book from Amazon caused me
to order it. This is the new direction that people are taking in getting
their work out there with a minimum investment of money.
The quality of the book along with the clarity of the color photo’s is very good.
As a matter a fact it is better than I was expecting. Plus on the last page
it is dated the day that it was printed, which was interesting.
After watching his video on casting some small bronzes posted on
YouTube,
the conversion of and successful application of a minimal furnace kiln
structure as they done in the pottery field and the fast easy home made low cost crucibles, along with some of
the other aspects of his and his mentors techniques for the waxes
models, the thin shell ceramic molds. The simplified, melting, casting,
and other procedures....Made it all a must read book!
Not only is it low cost, but I can safely say that following the information in this book puts the casting of parts for model engines,
shop projects, art projects with in the reach of everybody young or old.
From the use of the weed burner torch as a heat source, the kaowool
(ceramic fiber blanket) furnace shell, to the heavy duty BBQ tongs,
welding gloves, face shield, it is one of the best books on the subject and,
I am sure, will become the foundation standard of small time casting in the future.
It covers every part of the process starting with the bronze casting
itself. Tools, materials and equipment, moving on to a project overview
and then to process overview.
Before starting he gives some tips before you jump into the
project. Then moving on to the wax sculpting, taking a lot of the mumbo
jumbo out of it and giving tips, short cuts and the reasons for doing
things this way.
He doesn’t just tell you, he tells you his thinking behind doing it
this way. A big problem area in the wax model making is sprueing. He
goes over the why’s and wherefores of doing it correctly and the
reasons for chosing either a top or a bottom feed system.
Carrying on with making a wax crucible, constructing the wax shell,
dewaxing, and reinforcing the shell.
The Constructing the furnace section will change the way people think about small
scale metal melting. With a furnace that can be rolled up and stored
till the next time it is needed.
Baking the shell, melting the metal, and pouring the piece. Chasing
and fettling the finished piece and patination of the item, if art work.
Then he moves on to the more advanced techniques of multiple pieces at one time,
larger pieces, hollow castings, steel handles for larger shells on to
advance feeding system designs.
Another great part of the book is his Appendices They are for the
world. In addition to being divided by subject/materials they are divided
by country listing and by type of materials, along with websites.
Appendix A There is an index of tools and materials**** B Check List
C Art Foundries *****D Foundry supply *****Workshops and Courses *****F
other resources
It may be light on the tech stuff, but it is heavy on the
practical
doing of a bronze casting."
Glen Perye, Mount Clemens, Michigan, July 2010
This article has been first published on the following
industry communities:
http://www.metalartistforum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=2302&pid=54601#pid54601
http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/showpost.php?p=570257&postcount=165
http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/showpost.php?p=386715&postcount=234
http://madmodder.net/index.php?topic=3369.0
About the author
It Is under the name of PTSideshow that Glen Perye, retired engineer
from Michigan has been reviewing a very large number of metal working
publications. His experience, knowledge and passion for anything metal
have made his reviews authoritative and well respected in the industry.
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