Casting Bronze?

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Has anyone ever made molds for and or cast any bronze parts? I need a couple of bow rail support pieces that are simply not available anywhere.

I have a piece that is similar to what I need but it is too short. I figure if I could make a wax plug, using my too short piece as a model, maybe I could have someone cast it, polish it up and have it chromed.

Any ideas?
 

tommays

Admiral
Joined
Jul 4, 2004
Messages
6,768
Re: Casting Bronze?

The only thing we can get done local in small quantiys is low grade alu


We have al the iron and bronze done at a regular foundry

But the time you made patterns and core boxes you could pretty much carve one out of a solid blank :(

Tommays
 

MrBigStuff

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 7, 2004
Messages
497
Re: Casting Bronze?

What is the too short one made of? What part of it is too short?

The reason I ask is I would be inclined to modify the too short one and then have it chromed. Second choice would be the billet route suggested by tommays
 

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Re: Casting Bronze?

Here is a picture of the fitting I have. It is slightly higher than two inches. I need a pair of them that are 4" high. The one pictured is made of aluminum. I need these for a different boat than the one pictured.

BowRailFitting.jpg
 

peterbo3

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Mar 8, 2003
Messages
79
Re: Casting Bronze?

Hi Boomyal,
A good welding shop should be able to fabricate a similar fitting from heavy wall 316 tube & 1/4" flat 316 plate. Will be a lot less trouble than a casting & a lot cheaper.

Regards,
Peter
 

MrBigStuff

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 7, 2004
Messages
497
Re: Casting Bronze?

I can't tell if the "riser" portion is round but my approach would be to modify two of the short ones by cutting it in half in the middle of the riser, welding (heliarc) in a 2" length of round stock, grind & polish then clear anodize.
 

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Re: Casting Bronze?

MrBigStuff said:
I can't tell if the "riser" portion is round but my approach would be to modify two of the short ones by cutting it in half in the middle of the riser, welding (heliarc) in a 2" length of round stock, grind & polish then clear anodize.

That would be a good idea MrBigStuff except that they are needed on the boat that they currently reside on. I could have used them as a mold form without destroying them but they otherwise need to stay put.

I have found similar items currently offered, that I could have reworked as you mentioned but none of them had the round foot. They had two screw rectangular feet.
 

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Re: Casting Bronze?

Thanks bjcsc, that must have taken a lot of lookin on your part to find that sight. A lot of interesting stuff but none of it exactly like I need.

Also thanks peterbo, I will accomplish what I need with two stock fittings. (each side) Even they were more than I should have had to pay. They were in stainless not chromed brass.

I'll post a picture this weekend when I get the fittings and get them assembled.
 
Top