It's an honor to watch a skilked craftsman at work.

@axeman2638

5 жыл бұрын

Isn't it? these videos are just gold.

@rodolfodanielli5243

5 жыл бұрын

Amazing!

@dfross87

5 жыл бұрын

Yep. Doesn't matter what they're doing, a master of their trade is always a pleasure to watch.

@anthonymontgomery4861

5 жыл бұрын

KEEP AT IT OLD FELLA. I AM SURE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE REAP THE BENEFITS OF YOUR TUTORIALS AND HOPEFULLY A FEW OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION.AS WELL. KEEP THE VIDS COMING. LUV EM

@CraigLYoung

5 жыл бұрын

anthony montgomery : Well said! I've had and interest in molding since Industrial Science class in Junior High School but we did the same thing as the other sights. Here you get to see a craftsman applying his art to make useful items not coins and bricks. Kudos!

I think your 2 cents worth is valued much higher. You take casting to another level. I cast a motorcycle engine case.machined it and built a running engine, but your casting skills make me feel like a neanderthal.

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

Jionathan, Well done - a running engine. That is quite an achievement. I have been trying to achieve that (Stirling engines) but never quiet seem to have found the time. Kudos to you my friend... Martin

@jesseowens2864

5 жыл бұрын

Look here both my favorite content makers in one post. Thank you both for the hard work you put into your videos

@MoondyneJoe

5 жыл бұрын

Martin I watched Johnathon do that from start to finish it was fascinating to watch like you Johnathon has so much experience you always come away having learnt something new Tony from Western Australia

@jonathanw4942

5 жыл бұрын

I have a Bridgeport 2 axis CNC, but use it as a manual mill. I visited a machine shop while buying a Lathe and they had about 20 CNC machines. After walking and talking to the operators, I realized none were machinists, just machine operators, (change parts, push buttons). I have been offered by two friends to teach me to program mine, I refuse. I am currently building a motorcycle using the engine I built. Look forward to more casting videos.

@jreynoldssroberts8581

5 жыл бұрын

My favorite 2 KZreadrs

I'm not going to lie, the sound of the warm casting hitting the cold water after being broken out is so satisfying.

@olfoundryman8418

Жыл бұрын

Misterbones, Yes, I like to hear a good sizzle too - because it means I have got it into the water quick enough to give a decent response to later heat treatment.... Martin

As a retired Navy Molder, I say,"Hear, Hear!" to your last words!

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

sand, I have a certain feeling that just about every foundryman would 😊, but its good to "hear" it said...Martin..

Oh, what a lovely thing to find after a day in the shop... the final episode of this particular series! Once again, my sincere thanks for your willingness to share your knowledge.

I have spent nearly 20 years in a foundry working with steel and aluminium casting for the aircraft industry It has been an absolute pleasure watching you work. 👍

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

Stephen Thank you, coming from a fellow foundryman your comment means a great deal.. Martin

Martin - at the risk of sounding repetitive, you are the absolute boss. Thanks for yet another fascinating insight into your work and your world. Fire and metal will never cease to fascinate and enthrall. Best wishes, Andy.

FROM AN OLD TRADIE. ITS GOOD TO WATCH A SKILLFUL BLOKE WHO HAS A HEAP OF PRIDE IN HIS WORK. THINGS ARE A LOT DIFFERENT TODAY

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

Anthony, Sadly, yes... Martin

I never clicked so fast to see this final part but then again I always enjoy your videos

This is the MOST enjoyable video series that I have ever watched on KZread. Thank you so much for taking the time to put this series together. It is a reminder to me of the many skills of yesteryear's craftsmen and in particular the guild craftsmen with whom I had the pleasure of working as an apprentice and journeyman. Bravo!

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

Paul, Thank you for your wonderful comment. Its the sought of think that makes the effort worthwhile... Martin

A true master. I just wanted to say how grateful and lucky I/we all are for the knowledge you provide. I also hope that your customer tipped you an extra 100 at least. That person just got the deal of a life time. haha

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

KJ, A extra 100? Sadly, no, nice thought though!..Martin

I did some casting many (50) years ago, (fishing lures), and found the job required a certain level of craftsmanship and finesse. You are the master of both. I have subscribed, and have been binge watching your videos instead of working on overdue projects, but it was worth all the time spent watching. I loved your discussion regarding how casting can often be the better alternative.

@olfoundryman8418

Жыл бұрын

j jock, "50 years ago" - You must be almost as old as I am😊 ! You are right, like all things a level of skill and knowledge too is required to get a good result with casting. Sadly many on YT seem to lack both! 😰 😱. Thank you for watching and for the subscription but get back to those projects before your better half begins to object to things not done. I believe that a careful appraisal of how to make something is important, sometimes casting is the best/cheapest way and sometimes machining from solid is. We should not allow ourselves to get locked into just the one method. But I do see a problem that these days the power of a modern CNC mill is sometimes used at great expense of material when a casting would have been way better..... Martin

@jjock3239

Жыл бұрын

@@olfoundryman8418 Thanks for the reply. I am 79, and am used to negotiating the perilous pathway of a long term relationship. I ran some errands for her, and made a bunch of brownie points. I am just a hobbiest now, but I do have welders, a lathe, milling machine, and have stayed active at making and repairing all manner of equipment. I have remained interested in casting, and watching your videos has re-kindled my interest. Bob

@olfoundryman8418

Жыл бұрын

Bob, Well you have 2 years on me for I am but 77. I would love to be as active as you are but balance issues and a very painful back on standing make it so difficult to do anything that I am getting weaker by the day, not wheelchair or bed bound - yet - but its still horrid. I have so many things that I wish want need to do - sigh! 😰... Martin

@jjock3239

Жыл бұрын

@@olfoundryman8418 Martin, I believe a person has to develop the attitude that they are too stubborn to die. That, of course, is assuming that a person has something to live for as you obviously do. I have had a blood cancer for 34 years, and was given a year to live when I was diagnosed in 1988. I have been down that road you are relating, and by 2000, I was infirm, and desperately in need of a bone marrow transplant. In the 90s, my ability to use the internet, enabled me to find that there was a drug that was being used experimentally (interferon), with an approximate 30% success rate. I was able to convince my specialist, (by stating that there was nothing left to lose), to put on interferon, and the miracle happened. The side effects of the interferon were onerous, but the drug controlled the fibrosis in the marrow, and healthy cell production started again. There have been other debilitating health issues, but here I am again, desperately attempting to catch up on projects that were sidelined and enjoying every day. No matter how difficult it was, I just never gave up. I hope you can find a solution for your balance issues. I'm cheering for you. Bob

@olfoundryman8418

Жыл бұрын

Bob, Inspirational! I will reply via email..... Martin

Excellent video! Enjoy watching you work!

I love watching things like this. Thank you for taking the time to help pass along some insights into your art.

A great series! For me it was the best yet, many thanks for your time.

Thanks a lot for uploading these!

Absolutely gorgeous work Sir! Bravo!

Fantastic series. Thank you.

This has been fascinating. Many thanks for posting.

I agree 100% with the tendency to reach for a CNC- There is a lot to be said for welding fabrication and casting . It is all good so long as one knows what to choose of course. I really agree with the hands on mentality....which of course is why I watch your content and cast my own stuff!! Thanks for helping to increase my knowledge of a very enjoyable hobby.

@olfoundryman8418

4 жыл бұрын

Bikefarm, Reaching for the CNC is sometimes good and sometimes bad its worst feature is the wastage of material - the turning it in to something that is difficult to recycle. I have an (older) CNC mill and I do use it so I am not anti CNC by any means but its a horses for courses thing and if one is asked to cast something one does. Passing on knowledge is what I am here for and if yours has increased because of my presence I am happy.. Martin

This series was in my recommended video list, so I just binge-watched the whole thing. Your castings are second to none. That 4 barrel throttle body is absolutely gorgeous. Many years ago, I worked at a major hydraulic cylinder manufacturer. I ran a CNC turning center, that made end caps for hydraulic cylinders. The caps were made from billets of steel and the amount of swarf was massive. I spent a LOT of time raking the swarf out of the machine, because it built up so fast. I'll never forget the cutting fluid. It was green. Just like Surf Green paint on an electric guitar. You are dead on the money about using the right methods for the product, to reduce waste. Sometimes it's CNC machining from billet. Sometimes its making a weldment. Sometimes it's forging and machining. Sometimes it's MIM. Sometimes it's casting and machining. There is no one size fits all solution to manufacturing. I wouldn't even consider putting the time and money into CNC machining pistons from billet. The sheer volume of swarf would give me an aching feeling in the pit of my wallet. I'd like nothing more than to move to Australia and learn from you. You are a true master. Glad to see you have Steve Chastain's book. It's a great resource. This 4 part series has been an absolute pleasure to watch. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

fortj3, Yes, Steve Chastain's book was a help, it certainly put us on the right direction and we then sort of modernised the gating in line with latest thinking i.e. we took the metal down to the bottom of the mould with the sprue rather than relying partly on the sprue and partly on the feeders as Chastain did. We used a ceramic foam filter rather than the fiberglass mesh that Chastain shows for although the mesh is quite good I felt the ceramic foam was better. Also we made a point of using a tapered sprue (even if a bit too big!) and a proper pouring basin. And then of course we used the chill to get the soundest possible metal at least in the piston crown. I am glad that you enjoyed the series. At least with steel swarf the reclaim process is rather successful, its way more problematic with aluminium swarf as you can not recover the oxide that inevitably completely covers each piece of swarf with aluminium but you can with steel. Australia is only a plane ride away ..😏.. Martin

Amazing, thank you for this look into your casting shop

Fabulous work. Spot on thinking all around!

Excellent series, I learned so much just watching this series.

I enjoyed watching you cast the pistons AND your rant - thanks for a fine upload.

I'm glad I found your channel. Amazing work and insights. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Very nice series and I really enjoyed your discussion at the end!

Really impressive work! Thanks for doing the video.

Thank you for your videos. It's a pleasure to watch a craftsman at work.

Loved your discussion of casting v. cnc

Outstanding job, thank you.

You're a bloody champion mate

Beautiful work. Very informative as always. Thanks for sharing.

This series had me on the edge of my seat and reading through the comments at the end of each one was excruciating mostly because I wanted to get to the next video. Especially painful was when someone would say just CNC it from a billet. I would think to myself how would they machine under the wrist pin bosses. There is no way they could produce an end product as perfect as you have done on a CNC machine. Again, Thank you so much for all you do and especially that discussion at the end.

@olfoundryman8418

Жыл бұрын

Steven, Yep CNC mills are great ( I have one) they can turn large pieces of good aluminum into a huge pile of useless swarf in record time. The comments re "just CNC it" were completely predictable for such machines can indeed do wonders, but I was asked to cast these pistons so I did. Yes, that particular piston would have been very difficult to produce on a CNC without undesirable design mods. I am glad that you enjoyed it... Martin

realy good job Martin keep going !!!

Well done. And in the end absolutely well said.

Nice job

Loved the concluding comments, good on you mate, spot on!

Wonderful presentation from a true craftsman. Thank you.

👏👍 Nice prologue

Well said mate!

Enjoyed the end of the video very well said

I did watch to the end and I like your thought process ;-).

hear hear! well said, and thanks so much for making it a teaching opportunity too.

Hi Martin, long time time no chat, im the bloke who helped -with your strike through problem-.any way mate, again i would like to thank you for the free education, your experience and knowledge is second to none in this forum well done mate.

@remilarou

5 жыл бұрын

cheers Bob

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

Bob, forgive me, for I am old and half senile, memory fails - what strike through problem?... Martin

@remilarou

5 жыл бұрын

@@olfoundryman8418 , haha no problem Martin, your video - "My Home Foundry, Most recent Degasing Lance" , we had a discussion about the lines through your text, because of the dash symbol.

Well said on many fronts. Please keep up the good work. I enjoyed this video very much.

Wonderful series of videos. A great explanation at the end too on why casting is a valid method. Brilliant

Thanks for your time, knowledge and effort to bring these videos to the world. Sharn..

I'm with you Martin. It is much more satisfying producing things in this manner.

Another great video Martin. I fully agree with your final comments.

thanks for this great points you make sir

and you are one smart guy thanks for the knolage !!!

I am in utter awe of your work sir and hope that you are able to continue for quite sometime! g'day

Great job! I think it turned out most excellent. Casting was the proper way to make them.

Amen to you'r final note.

Outstanding. A pleasant knock against the "easier is always better" mindset that seems so prevalent, and leads to so many compromises. Wisdom and insight, knowledge, skill and craftsmanship.

This is truly one of the best You Tube video series I have had the pleasure to watch. The skill, the knowledge, the in depth casting process and all while being very clear and concise with the whole content. Thank you for all of your hard work and time spent both mastering these skills as well as creating this invaluable channel. You sir, are a legend!

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

Jonny, Thank you for your very kind words... Martin

& a damned good 2 cents worth too Martin, yet another informative video for us to learn from, Thanks once again. Graham.

I agree with what was said at the end. What awsome job on the pistons. I now we’re I would go to get something made.

Really good video. I liked the end giving us that do this as a hobby ideas for making money with the hobby. Also the pro casting bit I like as well.

For a small level casting business your able to do great big works, good job, happy holidays

My friend you have mad skills god bless !!!

Good explanation of cast vs CNC milling

Thanks for explaining the technical details, that is the guts missing from most casting videos

Great job!

"Aww Sugar!" Uncle Martin you are a gentleman through and through. Thank you for allowing us in your shop to look over your shoulder...God Bless.

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

Rich, you might be a relative my last name is West (are you wealthy or is the "rich" not descriptive? 😏) Its not always that "sweet" but that's the advantage of editing … Martin

@richwest2929

5 жыл бұрын

Just a name, but I do gauge wealth on knowledge, so yes wealthy. "Uncle" is a title of respect I've given to many of my male mentors. Who else is going to tell you straight without care for your "feelings"... ;)

@richwest2929

5 жыл бұрын

Thinking out loud...How do you determine what grade of aluminum that you have, you know scrap aluminum. I've got extruded 6061-T6, castings and soft electrical grade AL. All told maybe 300 Lbs. Maybe a future video...I'd like your thoughts either way. What pitfalls, if any, when recycling AL for castings. Again, thank you for the videos and sharing your wealth of knowledge.

Wow, you're a treat to watch and listen to! Skilled AND charming 💗!

I quite agree, well said.

Merci pour cette leçon de maître.

i thoroughly enjoyed this series. my first real job in the 60's was at a westinghouse air brake foundry. your videos brought back memories of flasks,copes,drags ,shakeouts ,mullers,etec. albiet on a larger scale. in those days mold making and core making were trades that required years of apprenticeship work.its wonderful to see this level of craftsmanship still exists. looking forward to more thank you for keeping the craft alive

What u said about machining and casting piston by ur own hands really appreciate touched my heart Sir

Very Inspirational. Love your work.

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

Buck, Thank you... Martin

Nice job and interesting details on the sprue feeder. As you said the real deal is to understand the limits/economics of the process you are using to make a viable product.

This is great. Well done.

@olfoundryman8418

4 жыл бұрын

Henry, Thank you... Martin

Hey we dont just push a big green button... I have exactly 88 buttons to press on my mill! Really appreciate you sharing this with the world. Your knowledge is priceless.

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

Jarrod. Yep, I have about 88 on mine too (some white some black no, no that's the piana) I am intimately aquatinted with everyone of them as my mill does not use G code so I have to hand write and then hand type in every line, every digit of code. No post processor available. And then just for a perverse laugh the big green button on my mill is the emergency stop! Its a Dyna 4400M... Martin

I just love your enthusiasm! Great product.

@olfoundryman8418

4 жыл бұрын

Michael, My wife says its not enthusiasm rather its stupidity but methinks she sometimes forgets it kept the bank manger away! But regardless I love your comment!... Martin

Many of your types of people are being lost in to a black hole of lost knowledge not being past down due to Production runs and profitability, This is now becoming a craft where to learn it you would need to want to produce something on a hobby scale size. Safety regulations and costs of gas made these production methods move to less developed countries where no regulations and inferrior quality control were acceptable. Much love for sharing your knowledge.

@olfoundryman8418

4 жыл бұрын

chris, There is/was another YTer called "pooroldchap" he said that when an old person dies its like library burning down and that he was, via his channel, just trying to save a few books. I figure that maybe, just maybe I can save at least a few pages that someone day will find useful if so I will be well pleased. You are not wrong about things moving offshore - our manufacturing industry is just about dead... Martin

Martin, you are correct. A die would be excellent! I have seen this before. The piston cavity is formed by a three part removable metal core. Two for the bosses and one for the center. After casting the center section is pulled and the boss sides collapsed inward and removed. The outside could probably be cast without those complicated sprues. Thanks for the great videos.

Amazing skill and beautiful work.

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

Solexx, Thank you... Martin

lovely work, thank you

@olfoundryman8418

3 жыл бұрын

Larry, Thank you... Martin

Lots of good information for a newcomer like myself. Thanks for sharing!

@olfoundryman8418

27 күн бұрын

Old, I am glad that the info was useful. Sharing is my pleasure.... Martin

with respect, from Slovenija...amazing work(I am impressed by the quality of the pison, god bless you)

Well done Brother!

@olfoundryman8418

Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Another sawyer I see - that was some nice looking wood! I watch Matthew Cremona, lumber capital log yard, and out of the woods. Although I don't work with wood much (it doesn't melt and cast well 😊) I think it beautiful stuff.... Martin

Love it 😊

Great stuff and very informative. thanks for putting the videos together and educating us

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

Kevin, My pleasure and thank you for the comment... Martin

Well said Martin, I love your craftsmanship & have learned from them Graham.

@olfoundryman8418

4 жыл бұрын

Head, Thank you for saying so.... Martin

Everybody runs to the tools they know... I got a furnace and hope to take up casting soon to add to the CNC machines, welders etc in the "tool box".. good stuff!

Amazing

Nicely done, and well said! :-)

That is the best Foundry video series I've watched yet! Thanks for taking the time and effort to produce them!

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

S Bell, Thank you for, your comment I just wish that all YT foundry viewers though the same 😏 (not that I am greedy or anything!).. Martin

An excellent series Martin. Thank you for taking the extra time to allow us to peer over your shoulder. The explanations are wonderful to have as well. Kindest regards, Al

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

Gippetos. Thank you for your comment, It is comments like this that make it all worth while... Martin

Amazing skills, truly the last generation of great craftsmans. Really enjoy watching and learning from you.

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

Ray, Thank you for your kind thoughts but I certainly hope that I am not the last! Passing on information is what I am about and I am glad that you enjoy it... Martin

Thank you for sharing the whole process. I have learnt a lot.

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

Danny., I am very happy that you learnt from it - that's the reason that I put it up there.... Martin

@DanWA

5 жыл бұрын

@@olfoundryman8418 It is getting harder and harder to find people willing to share their hard earned knowledge so keep it up !. I am in the process of getting the equipment to start casting and machining my own things, some of which will start off as a 3D printed part and videos like yours are invaluable even with owning some books on the topic.

Ur really a engineering artist 🙏

@olfoundryman8418

3 жыл бұрын

Niranjan, Thank you ... Martin

Brilliant Video, thanks

@olfoundryman8418

Жыл бұрын

Jack, My pleasure..... Martin

@jackhorner6009

Жыл бұрын

@@olfoundryman8418 Is there any chance i could contact you via emial for some advise on how should develop a mould and core for a specific component that i wish to cast please? are you contactable through Facebook perhaps?

@olfoundryman8418

Жыл бұрын

@@jackhorner6009 Try me at olfoundryman@gmail.com note that Ican be a bit slow at replying - I get a little overrun sometimes.... Martin

Very cool. From USA

@olfoundryman8418

2 ай бұрын

donald, Thank you.... Martin

Loved the series on all levels as to how and whys of your process and fully concur with your two cents worth! thanks for taking the time to share and upload, many thumbs up. Cheers from John, Australia.

@olfoundryman8418

4 жыл бұрын

John, Always happy to hear from a fellow Aussie 😊. Thank you for your kind words, sharing is my pleasure.. Martin

Excellent videos Sir!

@olfoundryman8418

Ай бұрын

Lon, Thank you..... Martin

Well said, Well poured, well produced. In my experience the whole CNC vs cast debate is often started by people who know a little CNC but don't see the technical limits, they don't understand the economics of the time in CNC machining from stock vs time to cast with post-cast machining, and they don't see things as multiple different processes being combined to make something. When you are holding a hammer, every solution is hitting something with it... When all you have is a 5-axis CNC, every solution is to cut stuff out of billet stocks... Someday someone is going to walk into this type of discussion and start arguing a 3rd solution like Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) / Selective laser melting, AKA 3D printing metal.

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

Ask, Thank you very much for your kind words. That "walk in" will almost certainly occur one day but I think its a little way off yet!.. Martin

@aleksandersuur9475

5 жыл бұрын

Oh there is certainly a "3D print all the things" crowd out there who wear strongly rose tinted glasses when it comes to 3D printing. In the end it comes down to what part you are making and to what requirements, there is no best way to make everything, every job has it's own best way to go about it. And it's largely up to the engineer to draw the part to fit a particular production method. But I would say there are good reasons why small volume parts are mostly machined from billet rather than cast these days. The advantage of CNC is that the end result does not depend as much on the operator. While in case of small volume cast parts the end result is wholly dependent on the skills and competence of the foundry men doing the job. Imagine ordering these cylinder heads cast in China, what kind of quality can you expect? It's a lottery, you never know what you are going to get.

@manobrass

5 жыл бұрын

DMLS is incredible technology that can produce parts that would be impossible to machine, out of materials that would be impossible to cast. BUT, the only company I've ever talked to about quoting laser sintered parts would probably charge $8,000 to $10,000 U.S. to make something the size of these pistons. Three cheers for the old ways.

@peterjones6945

5 жыл бұрын

I know Wiseco forged pistons had terrible size variations before they used CNC.finishing. After they started using CNC, sets had very little variation (less than0.0005" on diameters) Forged are stronger but heavier than cast and cheaper than CNC billet. Unless motor was designed (or re-designed) for heavier pistons you will have various other problems (rods, crank, oil system, etc) due to increased bearing loading. Sometimes you may get lucky and find pistons are same weight as OEM but not very often.

Good series. Great ending. Bravo, sir! You speak eloquently for your trade.

@olfoundryman8418

5 жыл бұрын

Holton, Someone has to its a dying trade 😏! Thanks for your comment... Martin