Re: cast iron

Terry,

What about "artificial" heating and cooling in small amounts, but
cycled more often than every 24 hours (well, 12 or so ,really)
I.e., a 'weathering' environment chamber made from, say, an icebox or
refrigerator, with some heating coils...? And a 'lawn sprinkler'
timer?

Obviously this implies more than 'occasional' need.

Thank you in advance.

Ballendo

P.S. Is the removal of 'skin' NECESSARY to proper aging, or is it
more a convenience. I ask because you say it's ok to remove
skin "only where you need to". This would leave a lot of parts
with "mostly" skin. So why not just age and then do what cutting is
necessary? Is it that the removal of skin (like wrought aluminum)
will cause the piece to warp?

> The basis of the process is to stress relieve under conditions that
> won't induce other stresses, like with the use of heat.

<snip>

> then there is a way to speed up the process a little.

> The skin should only be removed in places where it is necessary for
> the finished article.

> The ageing process relies on the constant slight heating and
> cooling of the weather. Which is why it is called weathering. It is
> possible to speed the process up by placing the casting under glass
> such as in a south facing green house without heating.
> Terry