Originally Posted by
Laff Riot
I deal in high-end signage and my customers are starting to ask more often about brass and aluminum cast signage. ...The request volume is high enough that I either need to locate a source or put in my own operation.
1. Is lost wax the method I should be looking into for finish quality and speed?
2. What is the speed at which items can be cast using a recommended process - 1 per hour, per minute?
3. What would a labor intensive casting operation cost to put together? I have access to a large number of people to do manual labor.
4. What is the learning curve?
Do your customers really care if its actually metal? Or would a cold- cast metal-like product be acceptable? Costs stay down and quick turnaround, and looks can be as good.
The intro on this site shows a quick and relatively easy way to cast resins
:http://www.alumilite.com/
You can add bronze, brass, aluminium powders to the resins to get a product that has the look of metal - and durability (read no polishing) of plastics. For more on cold Metal casting check out: http://www.smooth-on.com/casting.htm#Powder
[both companies have helpful literature/tech details on site and via mail] You'll note the demold time can range from 10 minutes to maybe an hour.
I've done some small statues (buddhas) using bronze powder and if you add a bit of weight - you can't tell the difference from a metal one.
Again, the customer requirements are the key.
Cheers - Jim
PS my Dad sold the family sign company years ago 'cause we couldn't get the labor pool - congradulations - you've got some.
Experience is the BEST Teacher. Is that why it usually arrives in a shower of sparks, flash of light, loud bang, a cloud of smoke, AND -- a BILL to pay? You usually get it -- just after you need it.