One off castings

[Stephen MillwardParticipant @stephenmillward99920]

can anyone recommend somewhere to get one off castings cast , iron or alloy? Ideally in the south near Reading

Thanks

[Stephen MillwardParticipant @stephenmillward99920]

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

Can't help in the south but a couple of places I use in the West Midlands.

For Iron I use Purbright in Willenhall (near Wolverhampton) speak to Chris.

For Aluminium I use Alpro (Aluminium Products) They are in West Bromwich, speak to Emma or Gina, both girls have a good knowledge. Chris.

[Stephen MillwardParticipant @stephenmillward99920]

Thanks Chris – that’s great. It was probably optimistic to expect a foundry in the Thames Valley, I guess Stuart Turner in Henley would have once been an option. A trip up to the West Midlands industrial heartland might be necessary

[Ian UsmarParticipant @ianusmar79339]

There is a foundry in Gillingham KENT

[Paul Relf-DaviesParticipant @paulrelf-davies37806]

If you're handy with a computer, you could design a 'virtual' casting plug and then get it 3D printed in metal…?

Paul

[Swarf, Mostly!Participant @swarfmostly]

Stephen,

I believe that Stuart Turner are now at the Bridport Foundry.

Best regards,

Swarf, Mostly!

[John MCParticipant @johnmc39344]

DM foundries at Stroud, not that far from Reading.

John

[GeorgineerParticipant @georgineer]

Posted by Swarf, Mostly! on 08/02/2019 16:39:47:

Stephen,

I believe that Stuart Turner are now at the Bridport Foundry.

Best regards,

Swarf, Mostly!

I asked Bridport Foundry about one-off castings a couple of years ago, without success. I came to the conclusion that they weren't interested in small fry like me. They have a reputation for being expensive.

George

[egaParticipant @ega]

Posted by Ian Usmar on 08/02/2019 16:05:00:

There is a foundry in Gillingham KENT

I would be interested to know the identity of this as I didn't know there were any left in the locality.

[Ron LadenParticipant @ronladen17547]

When I was working we used New-Pro Foundry at West Drayton, they specialise (or they did) in alu and bronze casting and did some one-offs for us. It could be worth getting in touch with them, dont know if they are as I remember them or if they have changed their operation but worth a call.

Ron

 

Edited By Ron Laden on 08/02/2019 17:52:04

[Chris TriceParticipant @christrice43267]

There's a small foundry in Burnham village near Slough, about twenty minutes from Reading. They might be worth contacting.

[Chris TriceParticipant @christrice43267]

Found it. Patay Bucks Ltd.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Patay+Bucks+Ltd/@51.5325798,-0.6575232,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xe864255f6392abd1!8m2!3d51.5325798!4d-0.6575232

[S.D.L.Participant @s-d-l]

Swan foundry in Banbury

Sand castings with Iron and all sorts of lost wax

Steve

[Brian OldfordParticipant @brianoldford70365]

At the risk of offending some folks;

Even jobbing foundries that make one-offs are sometimes a little cautious about taking on work from hobbyists as occasionally their patterns prove to be difficult to work with. Examples being oversize cores that need additional work to fit into the cavity made by core-prints, insufficient draft making removal from the sand difficult, patterns made with insufficient machining allowance or incorrect contraction allowance.

That's not to say all hobbyists make bad patterns. Even the professionals can turn out the occasional lemon.

Edited By Brian Oldford on 08/02/2019 19:52:03

[AndyAParticipant @andya]

Swan foundry cast the front and rear rolls for my steam roller. I have also used Wagstaff's at Colnbrook for castings. Both are great people to deal and will do you a quality job.

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

Cross Coventry Castings off any lists. They have ceased trading, a great shame as the where very good at dealing with one offs.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

If someone uses a good foundry that will do one-off castings for a reasonable (but not unrealistic) price for hobbyists, it would be great if they could (1) check with them that they are happy to be more widely known (it's not unusual for places to help hobbyists but be reluctant to get swamped) and if so (2) share their details here.

Even better, suggest they advertise in MEW!

Neil

[Brian OldfordParticipant @brianoldford70365]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 09/02/2019 21:22:09:

If someone uses a good foundry that will do one-off castings for a reasonable (but not unrealistic) price for hobbyists, it would be great if they could (1) check with them that they are happy to be more widely known (it's not unusual for places to help hobbyists but be reluctant to get swamped) and if so (2) share their details here.

Even better, suggest they advertise in MEW!

Neil

I'll speak to the guys I use.

[Graham StoppaniParticipant @grahamstoppani46499]

I know two people who use this foundry for small batches (less than 10) of motorcycle engine casings. They specialise in non-ferrous metals.

http://www.aluminium-castings.co.uk/

regards

Graham

Edited By Graham Stoppani on 10/02/2019 06:40:08

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

While I have only spoken to them over the phone and not yet used them, Manor Foundry in Ilkeston were very helpful and I shall be using them in the near future. Quote "We do a lot of work for model engineers"

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Nick Clarke 3 on 10/02/2019 09:13:24:

… Manor Foundry in Ilkeston were very helpful and I shall be using them in the near future.

.

Thanks Nick … 'very helpful' is a good start, and the website certainly looks the part.

Duly bookmarked: **LINK**

MichaelG.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Nick Clarke 3 on 10/02/2019 09:13:24:

While I have only spoken to them over the phone and not yet used them, Manor Foundry in Ilkeston were very helpful and I shall be using them in the near future. Quote "We do a lot of work for model engineers"

But only the ones who can pronounce Ilkeston properly?

Not too far away from me, actually.

Neil

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

But who would know where Il'son was??

Years ago, as a trainee, I stood in for the manager of Halfords there for a couple of months – I think the shop was at the bottom of Bath Street, next to the Post Office – it has taken me nearly a lifetime for it to wear off!!

[AndyAParticipant @andya]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 09/02/2019 21:22:09:

If someone uses a good foundry that will do one-off castings for a reasonable (but not unrealistic) price for hobbyists, it would be great if they could (1) check with them that they are happy to be more widely known (it's not unusual for places to help hobbyists but be reluctant to get swamped) and if so (2) share their details here.

Even better, suggest they advertise in MEW!

Neil

When dealing with suppliers I always find I get a better response by expalaining that I'm not looking for a cheap job or something for nothing. Once they know you want a fair job for a fair price I don't have any issues.

Model engineers can be famous for knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing. I remember standing at a suppliers stand one year where someone wanted a gauge glass. The response to the asking price was "How much, I can make one for less than that…' The person was told to go away and make one then. With attitudes like that are we surprised commercial companies don't want to know?

[Author]

Posts