| Every metal casting you produce will require some | | | | of machine, the linishing machine is attached to a |
| kind of finishing operation before it becomes a | | | | one horsepower bench grinder, and once you |
| useful, serviceable casting. Finishing of castings can | | | | install and use one; you will wonder how you ever |
| be a laborious job if carried out entirely by hand, | | | | did without it. |
| luckily for the home metal craftsman or woman | | | | They are expensive to buy, but as you do more |
| (yes. there are a few women who are involved | | | | & more castings,you will need a faster |
| with metal casting) there are a number of very | | | | & better finishing system for your castings. |
| handy tools which can be used to great effect to | | | | A very handy linishing belt is the scotch brite belt, |
| remove flashings, fins, sprues, risers & dags, | | | | this belt will give a beautiful finish on any type of |
| which remain after the casting operation. | | | | metal, cast or other wise. |
| The number one tool in the workshop is a reliable | | | | Now, we are not advocating for you to rush out |
| 4" angle grinder, they can be fitted with a | | | | tomorrow to spend a sqillion on new tools, as |
| coarse-grained resinoid grinding wheel which are | | | | quite a bit of excellent finishing can be achieved |
| known to remove aluminium, bronze or brass | | | | with normal hand tools.There is not much sense |
| metal at a rapid rate with out clogging up. | | | | inspending a large amount of money if you don't |
| The 4" angle grinder will also eccept an abrasive | | | | have a great need. |
| metal cut-off wheel, which is used to cut off the | | | | But you'll know when it's time to buy some good |
| sprues and risers from bronze or aluminium | | | | power tools, ifyou don't already own some. |
| castings. The big 9" angle grinders can also be | | | | And of course, once you finish with all of the initial |
| used to cut & grind any large size castings. | | | | grindingand cleaning, you may want to give the |
| Angle grinders big & small can also be fitted | | | | item a high polish. |
| with the abrasive flap type wheel which are a | | | | A calico cloth buffing wheel mounted on your |
| multi layered grit wheel. Flap wheel finishing will | | | | bench grinder,and some special buffing compound |
| give a very smooth lustrous finish on any type of | | | | will put a mirror finish onyour unique casting |
| metal, good quality flap wheels can be expensive | | | | creation. |
| to buy,they remove metal quickly and will last | | | | And don't forget to also buy and wear a pair of |
| quite a long time, so they are worth the money. | | | | eye safety goggles, or wear a full face shield, plus |
| Another machine metal finishing worth the | | | | a pair of thick leather gloves to protect your |
| expense, is the beltlinishing tool, of which there | | | | hands & fingers. Resinoid and abrasive cut |
| are several different brands available. They are | | | | off wheels throw a huge amount of hot particles |
| supplied with belts ranging from coarse to fine, a | | | | of sharp splinter shaped metal...which could inflict |
| handy feature of the machine is the ability to | | | | VERY serious injury to your eyes and skin. |
| carry out a quick belt change. | | | | Metal craft hobbies can provide a lot of |
| Finishing and preparation of a number of castings | | | | enjoyment but you need to be careful at the |
| can be done ina very short time using this type | | | | same time. |