I grew up in Pittsburgh and the steel industry was falling apart right when I got out of high school. Thank god the Navy took me in... I still do dirty nasty work but a big thank you to these guys.
My brother had a '52 Chevy with a 292, but we couldn't afford fancy valve covers. Great video. I had forgotten how boring a production work job could be. I couldn't stand making those mold all day long. I remember working in a hosiery mill, box factory right out of high school. Glad I went back to school and got into something that kept me moving around seeing and doing different things all day. GOD Bless those guys.
I never realized how much work goes into making aluminum valve covers! Now i know why they cost so much more than steel! Thanks for sharing this video!
This is old sand casting, now adays only used on low volume production. There are permanent mold, or lost foam casting techniques that would be less labor intensive, but cost more to setup at the start.
Tom - Great video. I actually bought one of these from you. It's a fantastic valve cover that looks amazing. It's fun to see how it's made. Thanks for posting.
Why are there 4 cylinders with rounded tops beside the valve cover in the mold? I think they are part of the sprue. Is this to feed the mold while it shrinks?
Wow, the cope isn't much deeper than the pattern. I see you're using nice Hines snap flasks with homemade jackets. If the guys lining up the molds on the rollers spaced them just a little further apart, the guys pouring would be able to get the crucible closer and wouldn't need to pour from so high. Nice equipment!
well done for getting in there, for getting the material on video and uploaded.............that was real world . A pleasure to watch the whole process, the detail and guys who know what they're doing. I wonder if you have anything else like this? Thank You Ian Beswick Victoria BC
I think it is to regulate the flow of the Al into the mould. When the two halves were separated the big fella inserted two filters. I believe the cylinders fill first, then as the level gets higher the pressure due to gravity overcomes the resistance of the filter. This regulates the flow speed of the metal into the mould and also the flow pattern, ultimately reducing any air, oxides and/or incursion that could lead to defective parts.
Efficiency is relative. Some ways are faster than this, some slower, but this works. If they can make the profit they need, it doesn't matter. It's exhausting watching the world constantly seek faster, less expensive processes. Wish we could be more content and seek a steady state...
mike mixer ; you are mistaken my friend, this is a very efficient process, they make castings in less than 10 Min. and the only metal used is the metal in the part because all the rest is re-used including the sand, the only real cost is the mold plate in the beginning of the process and baring an accident that mold plate should make over 100,000 molds , as there is almost NO wear on the mold plate !!!!
Sure, the process could be fully automated but as a foundryman and mold pattern designer I truly appreciate the handmade aspect of the products they are still making in a traditional method. They aren't cookie cutter "plastic perfect" but they are period correct for what they are going on...
I grew up in Pittsburgh and the steel industry was falling apart right when I got out of high school. Thank god the Navy took me in... I still do dirty nasty work but a big thank you to these guys.
Hey thanks I make molds like this in linesville PA not far from ya
My brother had a '52 Chevy with a 292, but we couldn't afford fancy valve covers. Great video.
I had forgotten how boring a production work job could be. I couldn't stand making those mold all day long. I remember working in a hosiery mill, box factory right out of high school. Glad I went back to school and got into something that kept me moving around seeing and doing different things all day. GOD Bless those guys.
I never realized how much work goes into making aluminum valve covers! Now i know why they cost so much more than steel! Thanks for sharing this video!
This is old sand casting, now adays only used on low volume production.
There are permanent mold, or lost foam casting techniques that would be less labor intensive, but cost more to setup at the start.
@@Texassince1836this is how castings should be made, in green sand, by hand. Takes alot of skill and strong backs to do this work
I don't think it was boring at all, it's cool to see how these sorts of things are made
Stuff like this is just so cool.
Very COoL. I doubt they would let me "sweep the floor".... Hat's off, craftsman.
Tom - Great video. I actually bought one of these from you. It's a fantastic valve cover that looks amazing. It's fun to see how it's made. Thanks for posting.
Not boring at all. I love seeing How It's Made. Would be cool to cast aluminum at home, as a few have done.
this makes you appreciate what you just bought 10x more.
Why are there 4 cylinders with rounded tops beside the valve cover in the mold? I think they are part of the sprue. Is this to feed the mold while it shrinks?
Cool, would not have imagined such a long process. Congrats on your product! I may buy one some day.
The proper way to make an valve cover...now everything is made out of plastic composite.
I think we'd be more willing to pay for products if we were less disconnected from the manufaction process.
what kind of sand is that oil base or water base? and where can i buy?
I bought one o those! I love it!
When ya gonna do a finned aluminum pan to match!
Wow, the cope isn't much deeper than the pattern. I see you're using nice Hines snap flasks with homemade jackets. If the guys lining up the molds on the rollers spaced them just a little further apart, the guys pouring would be able to get the crucible closer and wouldn't need to pour from so high. Nice equipment!
well done for getting in there, for getting the material on video and uploaded.............that was real world .
A pleasure to watch the whole process, the detail and guys who know what they're doing.
I wonder if you have anything else like this?
Thank You
Ian Beswick
Victoria BC
A new appreciation for what we sell.....
wish I knew why I find this type of monotonous work so interesting, I just love the creation process I guess.
I think it is to regulate the flow of the Al into the mould. When the two halves were separated the big fella inserted two filters. I believe the cylinders fill first, then as the level gets higher the pressure due to gravity overcomes the resistance of the filter. This regulates the flow speed of the metal into the mould and also the flow pattern, ultimately reducing any air, oxides and/or incursion that could lead to defective parts.
Where are these guys located?
Brandon Iowa
Working around silica foundry sand without respirators ?
Love to see how the tooling plate in the middle is made
I have a video of it. Check out my vids before this one.
The mold pattern musta cost a pickup load of cash!
Need one in bronze and some side covers to!
All for a valve cover...that is crazy. Now I see why a dohc head is easier said than done...
Do you just do the same part over and over?
Awesome! Thanks for sharing.
very cool, which is the contact for your company, I would buy this product
wow, 2013 but still ancient process
This would be automated (Disamatic etc) and maybe even in a low cost country now? Surely? 🤔🤔
you seem to be a good moulder
perfect job
Very cool!
i dont like ow he applies the talc
No wonder they cost so much.
Great Video !
To see the finished product visit Tom's web site @ www.12bolt.com.
Amazing products .
Very Low Production...
horribly inefficient process
For high production numbers that is true today, although this very process has and still provides millions upon millions of casting for our uses .
No efficiency when making a one of casting.
Why would you say something that makes no sense?
Efficiency is relative. Some ways are faster than this, some slower, but this works. If they can make the profit they need, it doesn't matter. It's exhausting watching the world constantly seek faster, less expensive processes. Wish we could be more content and seek a steady state...
Mike Mixer, not considering the aluminum sprues and gates can be remelted and the sand reused. This process is still very common today.
mike mixer ; you are mistaken my friend, this is a very efficient process, they make castings in less than 10 Min. and the only metal used is the metal in the part because all the rest is re-used including the sand, the only real cost is the mold plate in the beginning of the process and baring an accident that mold plate should make over 100,000 molds , as there is almost NO wear on the mold plate !!!!
Such old wasteful ways of doing stuff. Takes forever to make one form. This should almost all be done automatically by machines by now.
Sure, the process could be fully automated but as a foundryman and mold pattern designer I truly appreciate the handmade aspect of the products they are still making in a traditional method. They aren't cookie cutter "plastic perfect" but they are period correct for what they are going on...