A heavy pour...

 

A bit sloppy with the molten metal, but I think it worked.  

Going to clean it up and polish it tomorrow.  Video Monday.

56,63,57, .27",C  

fingers crossed...

 

68,78,56,0,B

another casting experiment coming up...

 

74,89,59,0,W

Corner marker #1

 

88,92,80,0,W

just what I needed...

89,94,61,0,B

 

biblical foundry talk...

Ezekiel 22:17 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 18 “Son of man, the people of Israel have become dross to me; all of them are the copper, tin, iron and lead left inside a furnace. They are but the dross of silver. 19 Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Because you have all become dross, I will gather you into Jerusalem. 20 As silver, copper, iron, lead and tin are gathered into a furnace to be melted with a fiery blast, so will I gather you in my anger and my wrath and put you inside the city and melt you. 21 I will gather you and I will blow on you with my fiery wrath, and you will be melted inside her. 22 As silver is melted in a furnace, so you will be melted inside her, and you will know that I the Lord have poured out my wrath on you.’”  

Pandemic Saturday - diversion...

mold making parts with the 3d printer...

 

79,87,52,0,W

test and a half...

Did a parting test on the property marker today to see if the pattern would release OK from the mold (it did).  Wasn't planning on pouring into it but decided to go ahead as long as it was sitting there even though I knew it wouldn't work very well.  Open pours rarely completely fill a mold with fine detail unless it's a heated graphite mold.  This pour will need to be into a closed mold with enough head pressure to fill all the nooks and crannies.  At least now I know for sure how much molten metal I will need to fill this pattern (12 ounces). Nice thing about casting metal is that failed pours can be remelted for another try.  74,78.45,0,C

Two masters...

Two master patterns to cast from this weekend.  The pattern making takes a lot longer than the actual casting.  After 3D printing, they get about 10 coats of primer over several days to soften the edges of the pattern so they will release from the casting sand and leave good impressions.  It's always important to leave a good impression... 61,68,41,0,W

for larger casting projects...

 

Petrobond isn't quite as fine as delft clay - 

but it's a heck of a lot cheaper.

$65.95 only buys 4.4 lbs of delft clay.  

73,79,54,0,B

new test coming up...

 

3D printed a property corner marker to cast in aluminum bronze.  66,75,47, .06",C

I keep seeing this prayer...

 

Pandemic Saturday

 

daily cases worldwide

3,000,000 dead

Another view of the Starlink swarm...

Starlink satellite movements in a 6 hour timelapse. Each satellite completes a full orbit of the earth in approximately 90 minutes. Interesting note: The flat map of the world known as the "mercator projection" was created by 16th century geographer and cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569. A prolific map, globe, and scientific instrument maker - he is most renowned for creating a world map based on a new projection which represented sailing courses of constant bearing (rhumb lines) as straight lines—an innovation that is still employed in nautical charts today.

plaque for a friend

Broke out the 3D printer to make a master to try to cast in bronze.  

86,89,64,0,B

rootin tootin

My 2 year old tomato plant is thriving - has 9 tomatoes on it now.  Took a cutting to root from this healthy rooted cutting today to keep the dream alive... 82,88,54,0,B

the new pups...

69,72,60,0,B

First batch...

...cast and ready for cutting, grinding, sanding, and polishing.  

90,94,56,0,B 

watch your mouth...

Ecclesiastes 5  Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.  God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.  A dream comes when there are many cares and many words mark the speech of a fool.  

Pandemic Saturday

 

This is no time to be complacent (or stupid).  We have a long way to go.  Get vaccinated and continue social distancing and mask wearing.  And for God's sake - don't go on vacation!

pig love

Golden Skull

 

88.92,56,0,B

Casting some bling...

Years ago Chupa tore off a spur and my friend Dwight Brooks made it into some bling.  Cast it in bronze this afternoon.  87,90,66,0,B

Javelini...

 

88,92,65,0,B

Another drone through the fog video...

Easter Sunday

 What does it mean to you?

(Hint: It has nothing to do with bunnies and eggs.)

Panemic Saturday

 

Did my part to be part of the end of the pandemic.

Covid deniers and anti vaxxers need not comment.  

77,80,57,0,B

Third time's a charm...

Finally got a perfect cast of an AA desire chip in aluminum bronze.  This will polish up nicely to a dark golden color.  For any of you folks out there that are proud of your sobriety - these will be for sale soon.  $55 including shipping.  Custom years will be available for $85.  80,82,50,0,B

old friend...

When people first move out here they tend to connect online and mingle with other newbies thinking about relocating here.  A woman formerly known by her online persona as "Mama Crow" was one I met when we were both new to the area.  She ended up not pulling the trigger on buying property out here but has been following my blog and we have kept in touch via Facebook for over 12 years.  She popped in a couple days ago for a long overdue visit.  72,74,46,0,B