Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] RE: Ian, waxing pensive "pattern making"

Anne,

It's called a Cupola, and they're still used by amateur foundries here:

http://www.rockisland.com/~marshall/foundry.html

Saw a demonstration of a gas-fired foundry at the P.R.I.M.E. show. They
were casting aluminum for a good sized steam engine.

Alan

Anne Ogborn wrote:

>
> When I was in India I saw some amazing demonstrations of "hand skills".
>
> One day I took a shortcut down a typical very narrow "gully" (alley).
>
> Halfway down the alley, in a tiny outdoor space, some folks
> had set up a 5 gallon bucket & muffin fan style aluminum furnace &
> were firing it with charcoal. They had a miniature "pit" casting
> readied, and I actually had to stop & wait for them to do the pour.
>
> They were making floor polishers with hand tools and this sort of equipment.
> Amazing.
>