METAL CASTING

What is Metal Casting?
Metal Casting is an “indirect” method of creating objects. First, an exact model of the desired object is created out of easy to work materials like clay, wax, or wood. The model can even be a found object. Next, a mold is made around this model, creating a hollow cavity. Finally, molten metal is poured into the mold cavity. The cast metal solidifies, the object is removed, and cleaned. The resulting cast object can be a stand-alone piece or joined to create an assembly.

What are some benefits to Metal Casting?
Benefits of the Metal Casting process include: ease of creating complex detail otherwise difficult to fabricate directly, ease of creating multiples, and ease of duplicating existing objects in another material.

What Metal Casting tools and capabilities do we have?
Our 2,500 square foot Metal Casting Department is outfitted for modeling, mold making, and casting:

 Foundry (Hot Metal Casting):

  • Materials: Aluminum, Silicon Bronze

  • Mold-Making Materials: Resin-Bonded Sand, Green Sand, Investment (for the lost wax or lost PLA process)

  • Crucible Casting: #30 Crucible Propane Furnace (30 lbs. Aluminum / 90 lbs. Bronze)

  • (2) Burn-Out Kilns (17” x 26”, 23” x 27”)

  • Wax Steamer (24” x 18” x 20”)

 Cleaning/Chasing:

  • Dedicated Abrasives Room

  • Dayton 15” Vertical Bandsaw

  • Craftsman 15” Drill Press

  • (2) 6" Bench Grinders

  • 4-1/2" Angle Grinders

  • 1/4" Die Grinder w/ Flex Shaft

  • Foredom Flex Shafts

  • SkatBlast Sandblast Cabinet (40" x 28" x 28" interior)

  • Buffing/Polishing Machine

Welding/Joining

  • Miller Synchrowave 210 AC/DC TIG Welder (1/4" capacity - aluminum, bronze)

  • Miller Synchrowave 210 Spool Gun MIG Welder (3/8" capacity - aluminum, bronze)

Patina and Protective Finishing:

  • Access to Metal Shop Dedicated Finishing Room and Spray Booth

  • Chemical and Finishing Supply Storage

Other:

  • Assortment of hand and power tools

  • Material and Supplies offered for purchase in Department Shop

  • Storage for Material, Supplies, and Projects in Department Shop

EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMMING

Featured
CIADC 1-on-1 Private Instruction (CIADC010-1HR)
CIADC 1-on-1 Private Instruction (CIADC010-1HR)
$60.00

Need one-on-one instruction to learn a new tool, deepen your skill set, or to push through the design and creating process? Does your schedule prevent you from committing to a 5-week or 10-week class? Want to dabble in one of our shops in a low-commitment way?

We offer 1-on-1 Private Instruction for individuals, ages 11+, in hourly increments at a schedule that fits yours.

Click Class Title above for more details and to register.

CIADC Small Group Private Instruction (CIADC020-1HR)
CIADC Small Group Private Instruction (CIADC020-1HR)
$35.00

Interested in something fun to do with your family or friends? Want to dabble in one of our Shops in a low-commitment way? Would you like instruction catered to your small group?

We offer Small Group Private Instruction for 2+ people, ages 11+, in hourly increments at a schedule that fits your group.

Note: Choose Small Group Private Instruction only if the entire groups is looking for the same instruction, even if individuals are at differing skill-levels. Otherwise, please choose 1-on-1 Private Instruction.

Click Class Title above for more details and to register.

Featured
Intro to Metal Casting (CST110-05)
Intro to Metal Casting (CST110-05)
$310.00

Learn the fundamentals of metal casting through the lost wax investment process to create functional, decorative, and sculptural objects.

Click Class Title above for more details and to register.

Beginning/Continuing Metal Casting (CST210-10)
Beginning/Continuing Metal Casting (CST210-10)
$570.00

Learn the fundamentals of metal casting through the lost wax investment process and grow beyond the basics to create functional, decorative, and sculptural objects.

Click Class Title above for more details and to register.

Metal Casting for Youth: Grades 6-9 (CST610-05)
Metal Casting for Youth: Grades 6-9 (CST610-05)
$210.00

Explore the metal casting process including pattern making, mold making, casting, and metal finishing to create objects.

Click Class Title above for more details and to register.